I did mine this summer and it took myself and 2 buddies about 5 hours because we couldn't get the dampener fork apart from the sway bar. This is a common stumbling block for people doing their own intalls.
#13981, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 1
>I did mine this summer and it took myself and 2 buddies >about 5 hours because we couldn't get the dampener fork >apart from the sway bar. This is a common stumbling block >for people doing their own intalls.
The answer to this problem is: Get a seperate jack, and jack up the other side of the car also. It will take pressur off the sway bar link, and make it much easier to remove.
#13982, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 0
Being that it is your first time doing it, it would be about a 4 - 5 hour job.
Front struts:
1)Jack up driver side of car 2)Remove wheel to show strut fork and strut assembly 3)Remove swaybar link bolt (on the fork, to to the left of where the strut enters the fork & You must use pliars to hold the nut on the back of it.) 4)Remove bolt on the back of the strut fork (It come from the left) 5)Remove long bolt at the bottom of the fork. 6)Pop hood 7)Remove the 3 strut tower nuts 8)Get a friend 9)Pull the bottom of the strut out of the fork. Have one person push the strut assembly up as the other uses a hammer and pushes/wacks the fork down. (This is a bitch and takes some time) 10)With the strut assembly out, use a spring compressor and compress the stock spring so it doesn't shoot off in the next steps (If you want a spring compressor I'll sell you mine for $20) 11)Remove the nut from the top of the assembly 12)Take each piece out one by one maintaining order, and swap in the new strut. 13)Put the assembly back together 14)Now insert the assembly and follow instruction in reverse order 15)Repeat for Passenger side
Rear Struts:
1)Jack up driver side of car 2)Remove wheel 3)Remove lower strut bolt, going through the bottom of the strut. 4)Remove strut tower bolts (Be careful the strut will fall out, have a friend hold it as you remove strut tower bolts) 5)Remove the nut from the top of the assembly 6)Take each piece out one by one maintaining order, and swap in the new strut. 7)Put the assembly back together 8)Now insert the assembly and follow instruction in reverse order 9)Repeat for Passenger side
Its sort of a pain, and you'll get very dirty, but afterwards you will know exactly how your suspension is, and how it all works...which is nice to know. Also you'll save money..
#13983, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 3
As for the fork deal take a acytalyn torch (or if you cant afford that a propane torch might work might not be hot enough) and put a heating tip not cutting tip on it and heat the fork/bolting/mounting and heat it till its at least 500 degrees more like 1000 is better then take a bucket of ice water and splash it on there be careful though because it sometimes is under alot of stress and can pop off pritty quick.
198hp @6350 rpm NA 420A (Thanks to new JE forged 9.5:1 Deep Dishers ready for Zex Nitrous 150 Shot) -THIS IS NOT MY CAR ITS A FRIENDS!
#13984, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 5
My first time took a couple hours a day for 2 days. Definately not a hard job, but not something you can fly through.
Also, I used no special tools. No strut compressor, no torch wrenches no nothing. Just good only ratchets. Would those things have helped? Well of course, I just didnt have them.....
#13985, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 6
u can do it. i did my spring/strut install all myself. the bolts are torqued down pretty tight so don't get frustrated if u can't get one out. keep trying and don't lose confidence.
#30909, "RE: Changing Struts" In response to Reply # 8
you can do it, it took me and my friend 3 hours to do all four and put in springs and that but you could do it all in a day just have to have the right tools and it goes quick.
