Can I do this myself? Trying to save money..

Grandmaster

Grandmaster

New Member
Dec 7, 2002
374
0
0
Monticello, Arkansas
#1
Mods: I wasn't sure if this was considered tech so if its not, i'm sorry, please move it :)

So,
Yesterday i got my springs, struts, and subframes in. In a few days i'll be getting my upper and lower control arms as well as my shocks. I was planning on taking it to a shop and spending probably no less than, what, 350ish on install but then i started thinking..."man..thats 350 bucks i could spend on a tb/afpr...this instal cant be THAT hard...." So i come to you for advice. I dont have much mechanical experience but i'm smart and ok with handtools (i've built a lot of custom vented subwoofer enclosures etc etc). Should i attempt this install? If i need help my dad can help probably and also my friend is doing a swap with a 4 banger so he might help if i give him my old components for free lol. Is it that hard of a swap? I have a haynes manual. What tools will i need etc etc? BTW THIS IS EXCLUDING THE SUBFRAMES as they are weld on only, i'll take those probably to a real good muffler shop i know. Thanks for any help. This is a great opportunity to save a few hundred bucks...real tempting. Oh and one last question...i'm kindof a fraidy-cat when it comes to getting under cars when they're on stands, will i be doing much of that with this install, and what are some good things to use to put the car up? THANKS!!!
-E

p.s. yes its my daily driver but we have an extra car i can use to drive to work.
 
#2
well get some good jack stands and you should be fine as long as youre not rocking the car around and trying to rip it off the stands. springs will probably be the hardest part. youll need a good spring compressor. do a search on here for spring installs....there is a bunch of different ways to do it. everything else will just unbolt and bolt right back up. make sure you get a chain or something to chain the springs to the car so they dont take your head off if the spring compressor should fail. youll probably either need a huge breaker bar or an air compressor with an impact wrench to get most of the bolts out. a big hammer is always helpful too. good luck
 
#3
Alway's use GOOD quality jack stands.
I just did my upper and lower control arms and replaced my spring isolators with poly ones (something you should consider since you're down there) and I did not need a spring compressor. jack the rear of the car up with the diff. put the jack stands under the frame rails, and set the car on them. shake it around to see that it is stable. remove the sway bar and the upper CA's (with the jack under the diff to relieve tension) and the shocks then slowly lower the rear end untill the springs just fall out.
Then replace the parts in the reverse order.

Now, when you do those front springs, watch out. a spring compressor is recomended, especially with the stock springs (they are longer).
 
#4
cool so i guess the only things i'll need to pick up are a spring compressor and jackstands (we have an impact wrench already). Can someone point me in the direction of a good spring compressor to buy? I dont need anything fancy, just something that'll do the job and keep me safe as this might be the only time i ever use it, and i dont know anyone i can borrow one from. What makes a jack stand better quality than others? just meterials used in construction? maybe someone can point me to some of those too? Thanks,
-E
p.s. http://www.toolking.com/performance/view.asp?id=2481 Would that be ok or is there a certain kind i'm looking for?
 
#5
well lol you have to think do you trust you life with something 30 dollars from china or something made for 150 in USA? i wouldnt even if it was a one time use unless i had a back up for it. you cant go wrong with craftsman tools use a bike locking chain to lock down the spring in case it shoots out. there was a thread on here not to long ago about a kid doing the same thing as you and the spring flew out and killed him. Best thing to do for eveyone is get some freinds nice drinks park it in some shade put on some music and take your time be safe and have fun rushing is what causes accidents.
 
#6
You can borrow a good spring compressor from Auto Zone, they take a depost but give it back when you return the tool. If you don't live near an Auto Zone call some other parts house many loan tools.
Good Luck!
 
#10
L8 MUSL said:
I think he is only doing the rear springs.
You don't need a spring compressor for those.
Click to expand...

Nah, the drag launch kit comes with all 4. I dunno, if i'm gonna have to spend money on jack and jackstands and risk death (ok so maybe that one can be avoided) i might just ask my mechanic what he charges first. I guess that would be the smart way...Thanks for all tips, keep em coming if anyone thinks of more.
-E
 
#15
so, craftsman should be good? I dont know anything about jack brands etc, but i know craftsman makes good handtools.... I want to do it myself i just have to overcome my fear of screwing something up (or getting slapped w/ a spring). I guess if i'm safe and careful it will be ok. Besides....i DO race an 11 year old car LOL :)
-E
p.s. ok how do i do smilies? When i click on a smilie on the side of my post box it doesn't insert it. It just scrolls to the top of the page..what gives? I'm getting the :) cause i always type that by habbit anyways and dont click it...
 
#17
Do you have a COSTCO near you? they have a good jack for sale there, made by Arcan, total proffesional grade.
There is usually a big difference between a 2 ton and a 3 ton jack, go for the 3 ton. The same for stands.
 
#18
Well Kragen (MAYBE Schucks) has a jackstand kit for 49.95.....so just support the car and dont't be a pusseyy.....I did my 92 with full coil overs + upper and lower controll arms + tubular a- arms for the first time on jack stands and I DON'T KNOW SHIIITT..!!
The car currently is in the junkyard.....just kidding i meant track.
 
#19
Well i had time to blow after i checked out of school (officially out of high school...) today so i went jack shopping, or researching really. I found a jack at Oreilley's (sp??) made by ac delco that looked like a good deal. The package says "sport utility and light truck series: AC Delco 3ton high lift truck trolley jack." Will this be good for my project? I figure the only reason they put the "truck" part there is because most people dont need that jack for doing a tire change on their family car. It seemed like a good deal, from what i've heard AC Delco is good. Its about 30 bucks less than the other 3ton floor jacks i saw though, the others were some kind of "pro series" at autozone and something else at advance. So should the ac delco be cool? Thanks! Still waiting on the rest of my parts, the x2c control arms and 50/50s. Also i was reading my haynes manual and it gives specific torqe recommendations for the bolts etc...ok i know NOTHING about that. I'm guessing i'll have to buy a tool for that too. Anyone with free time care to elaborate on what all that is about? 'Preciate it.
-E
 
#20
The jack sounds good, does it fit under your car? under the K member. (The part of the frame right under the oil pan). Remember, don't scrimp on the jack stands.
You will need a torque wrench. again, buy a good one (I doubt you'll be able to rent this) pretty easy to use, just read the instructions. This is something you will use again and again, treat it nice.
The X2C Arms are a good product (I have them) they will fit perfectly.
As others said, get some friends to help you, take your time and you'll do fine.
 
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