Can I change shocks/struts,springs myself?

[sbelyo]

If you have all the right tools? How hard is it to replace the front struts and springs and rear shocks and springs on a 2001 GT? Should I be able to do this myself?

I've never done that before, and if it's simply removing the old parts and replacing then I think I can handle that. I just don't like to mess with anything near the brakes.

I did some searching looking for a write up but I didn't see anything that stuck out. So I need some direction.

My plan is to go with the bullitt kit from ford racing because it's around $400.00 and does everything I need it to do. I don't autocross and the car has never seen a drag strip. It just needs to be freshened up. Will Castor/Camber plates do anything for me besides dressing up the engine bay? And will it make it easier to do an alignment?

Also when and if I finish the install I will take it for alignment

 

[timeless2]

If you do this, you are in for some work when it comes to struts....

Shocks and springs together, along with CC plates if lowering, take some time and an assistant.

 

[Rocketman]

I used the article on this site to do my first spring and dampner change.

http://www.stangnet.com/tech/spring.html

Using this article mine turned out perfect.

 

[sbelyo]

Looks like it might be enough work to let a shop do it all at once while I'm at work.

I just called my local ford dealer and they said that they would do it.

 

[stangman]

meh, you can do it yourself. imo

 

[sbelyo]

I know the kits are on back order till August, so I'll see how much money I have.

 

[hotrodnut]

If you have a jack, jack stands, tools and some time it is easy enough to do in your drive way or garage. It may help to have a impact gun if you live in an area with a lot of salt use because the strut to camber plate nut can be a bit hard to remove otherwise.

The way I look at it, if you don't have all the right tools, a compressor and an impact gun, you can probably get those with what you would save from not paying someone to do it for you.

The CC plates may not be necessary with the Bullitt kit but the Mustang can still use the adjustability that the plates give you.

 

[geaux]

I just did shocks/struts, springs, uca,lca,cc plates,tie rod ends, x2 balljoints a couple of months ago on my 97 gt. I too was apprehensive but it werent rocket science, just a lot of time and grunting. I live down south so I dont know about salt but I used pb blaster on all the bolts and did not have any problems. Unless you are the proverbial 90 lb weakling you do not need air tools. The only labor cost I had was having poly bushings and x2 balljoints pressed in the front control arms , an alignment, and having the guys check the torque on the control arms. I also paid to have subframe connectors welded. I did have a friend helping me out some mainly because I was scared he only helped a little. Overall it took me about 30 hours to do because I am a goober but I saved a bunch of money and the car feels and looks so much better.

You will need some big wrenchs 13/16 and a torque wrench that will go to 150 lbs to torque some of the bolts again on the front spindle.

 

[Indy_00GT]

I will be the Devil's Advocate...

I did spring research for about a month and got enough confidence to do the install. I am pretty well mechanically-inclined, but the spring install flustered me a bit. I started with the fronts and got them done in about 1 1/2 hours - pretty straight forward. Unfortuneately, the rear (easier than the fronts) took me about 3 hours to do. I was tired and frustrated, but finally completed the job. I would allow lots more time for struts, I can just imagine those being a bear!

 

[sbelyo]

I guess I could do it myself. I'm just afraid that if I start it on Saturday and screw up I can't go to work on Monday. I'm thinking that the ford dealer shouldn't take too long to do it. Plus I don't have a torque wrench that will go that high or a 13/16" wrench. I do have 2 jacks and 4 jack stands.

I'll buy the kit first and see what's in it. The dealer said if I brought them the kit they will tell me how long it will take to install it ($96.00/hr)

They also confirmed that the springs will take a week to settle and shouldn't bother the alignment once it's adjusted.

 

[blackmustang01]

I guess I could do it myself. I'm just afraid that if I start it on Saturday and screw up I can't go to work on Monday. I'm thinking that the ford dealer shouldn't take too long to do it. Plus I don't have a torque wrench that will go that high or a 13/16" wrench. I do have 2 jacks and 4 jack stands.

I'll buy the kit first and see what's in it. The dealer said if I brought them the kit they will tell me how long it will take to install it ($96.00/hr)

They also confirmed that the springs will take a week to settle and shouldn't bother the alignment once it's adjusted.

Me and my brother did it in 5.5 hours. If we did it again it would take 3 hrs... A friend of mine let a Ford Dealer do it, they did in 2 hours... You may need an impact wrench to get off the strut and a spring compressor to remove the old front springs. Read the instructions that rocketman referred to! Really useful
We also did the CC plates, although you may not need them with the bullitt springs.

 

[mijo_latino]

I say do it yourself. Its possible even without out the "proper" tools. Not saying that its a good idea to do it if your on the safe side of the fence...
I was hesitant with the whole DIY on my car, considering i didn't know anything about cars, but with this site and a variety of tools on hand I've tackled all the mods in my sig.

The best thing that comes out of DIY's is the increased knowledge of cars, and to me thats priceless.

 

[Ghostface]

I guess I could do it myself. I'm just afraid that if I start it on Saturday and screw up I can't go to work on Monday. I'm thinking that the ford dealer shouldn't take too long to do it. Plus I don't have a torque wrench that will go that high or a 13/16" wrench. I do have 2 jacks and 4 jack stands.

I'll buy the kit first and see what's in it. The dealer said if I brought them the kit they will tell me how long it will take to install it ($96.00/hr)

They also confirmed that the springs will take a week to settle and shouldn't bother the alignment once it's adjusted.

I dont see why you wouldn't be able to go to work on monday as long as you have the tools (and parts, of course). It's not like putting together a puzzle, just a bit laborous. Just take your time and use several resources, there's another writeup on mustangworld.com Oh yeah, you definitely won't need a camber kit for the bullitt drop.. you'll barely notice any drop with those springs.

 

[GDawg]

Piece of cake... I'm 47 and I did all mine myself, H&R SuperSports, Bilstein struts/shocks and caster/camber plates with no help and no air tools. If an old guy can do it in a few hours, so can you.

 

[YardSpecial]

I also say cake.........

Did 4 cars in 10 hours with hand tools and no spring compressor..........

Thats 16 springs, 12 struts/shocks and one set of CC plates.

Problem is people take to much apart.

Rear 25 minutes tops

front 1 hour tops

Struts / shocks add 30 min for all 4


I am fast, what can I say ! (girlfriends says the same thing )

 

[sbelyo]

All those post seem convincing that I should be able to do it on my own.

I can see how to get the shocks and struts out. But what should be removed to get the springs out. I saw a write up on the shocks where someone took the caliper off ( I don't like touching the brakes)...

Also is there a way to keep the shaft from turning ( to tighten the nuts ) on the front struts when installing them

However if a dealer should be able to do it in 2 hours then I don't mind paying $200.00

 

[04gtdrop]

i put some eibach spring in myself 2 weekends ago. not too bad, not sure bout the shocks & struts. but i think you could do it. just make sure you got a cool @$$ friend and some time. good luck