Installing Suspension Upgrades? Is It Difficult?

[Auto Reverse]

Is it a bitch to install the following? I'd like to do the install myself but have never done so, and I'm not much of a wrench turner, but I'm willling to try. Also, will all these parts work down the road when I go to do a 5 lug conversion? Please rate the "pain is the ass" factor for the following parts. Thanks.

1. Upper and lower control arms
2. Springs
3. Shocks and struts
4. Caster/Camber Plates

Also, if I chose not to do the install, what's a fair price to pay a shop to do it?

Thanks again.

 

[blkstangman88]

1) upper and lowers are very easy just might neet a impact wrench to get a couple bolts off
2) springs are easy just might need spring compressors
3) shocks ans struts very easy
4) caster plates are easy to just might need a shop for an allignment.

 

[Auto Reverse]

Thanks for the reply...that's good news! I take it this should take no more than a full Saturday to do?

 

[blkstangman88]

easy one day projects

 

[ironmedic]

i would say possibly 2 days for all that depending on how old the stuff is on your car.
it took me a long time to install my SSM lift bars because i had to drill holes to mount it and i had a difficult time aligning the holes to install the damn bolt!!

1=hardest 5=easiest

Upper/Lower control arms- 4
Springs= 3 (can be dangerous, use a spring compressor and be careful!!)
Shocks and struts= 5
Caster/Camber Plates=5

 

[Aaron]

i would say possibly 2 days for all that depending on how old the stuff is on your car.
it took me a long time to install my SSM lift bars because i had to drill holes to mount it and i had a difficult time aligning the holes to install the damn bolt!!

1=hardest 5=easiest

Upper/Lower control arms- 4
Springs= 3 (can be dangerous, use a spring compressor and be careful!!)
Shocks and struts= 5
Caster/Camber Plates=5

ok - question regarding struts. Would I need to get an alignment if I replace the front struts? I probably should have replaced the struts when I did my 5 lug conversion because I needed an alignment then too. Am I gonna have to get another alignment?

 

[SuperStang83]

Go for it, learning is priceless! Just have agood friend help you. Even if he doesn't know anymore than you, he'll still be able to help!

Jakob

 

[Asha'man]

You don't need a spring compressor, just get the car up high and drop the control arms. Don't stand in front of them , but the spring shouldn't fly out when you pry it. Jack the control arms back into position with the springs in and move to the rear. Drop the axle one side at a time and pluck the spring out. Fronts took two hours with me and a buddy and a lift with air tools, and the rear took me 30 minutes by myself in my garage with jackstands.

Ash

 

[BLOWN95GT]

Just make sure you index the springs properly or your car won't be level. Check which way the end of the bottom coil is pointing and put the new ones in the same way. Also you'll want new isolators and shorter pinion snubber.

 

[ironmedic]

i would get another alignment changing anything with the struts/springs/c-c plates.

i changed my springs and didnt get an alignment...almost a year later my front tires wore out dead and i had to replace them LOL!