shocks and springs?

91foxbod50

Member
Sep 26, 2007
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I'm planning on doing all 4 this weekend. I've never done them before, their tokico spring and eibach springs. Any advice to help make things go smoothly? What tools will I need?

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If this is the first time then the fronts will be a pain in the azz and you will have a lot of answers on the correct way and what not. next time do a search there are plenty of threads on this.
This is how I did it:
Mustangworld Progressive Rate Springs Install - I know this is a sn95 but it is the same. the shocks are just unbolt the top from the shock and then unbolt the bottom at the axle. might as well do this while the springs out. pretty simple.

for struts- after the spring is out following the above guidelines simply unbolt the lower two bolts from the spindle and install new strut.
you'll probably need an impact air gun to help you with the struts as the spindles have a hard time letting what of what was there for 20+ years.

Be very careful as any weight on the springs will cause them to shoot out.
Good luck. I dont recommend doing things you are not comfortable with. This is the way I did it and it may or may not work for you but I am not telling you this is the only way. some like to use a spring compressor and others do not. I personally have done it both and the compressor was a waste of money (rental) and just got in the way and took too much time to even set up.
 
I know I will get flamed for this and it is only a idea that has worked for me. It did make the fronts easy to do. I used a spring compressor and some stainless hose clamps that I picked up at the hardware store. You will need 8 hose clamps. I compressed the spring and put 2 hose clamps on each side around the coils to hold the spring compressed. Slowly undone the compressor, the spring will stay compressed and you can simply drop the spring in place and jack the a-arm into place. once you have the ball joint secured and the bolts back into the spindle take a sawzall to cut the clamps loose.

I know alot of people will flame me but it works. I would suggest some good gloves and safety glasses regardless :nice:
 
a guy that i work for actually put a pallet of roofing (36 bundles) on a spring and then use a bander and crimper to put a band around it to keep it compressed and put it on that way. its a miracle that he wasn't hurt.
 
I am sorry I didn't spell SHOCKS correctly. Please forgive me I'm posting on my blackberry, I really hope no one got stupider from my incorrect spelling. And their eibach SPRINGS and tokico SHOCKS. If were done being belligerent, I would like to ask another question. Should I put rubber hosing on the springs so they do not make noise or rattle?



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The easiest and safest method IMHO (other than using the proper spring compressor) is to support the hinge end of the control arm with a jack (with the car on jack stands), remove the bolts, and lower the control arm SLOWLY from the inside. The ball joint/strut all stays intact while you're doing this. This way the spring is the least likely to let lose, because it is more of a linear decompression, and it will go into the car, instead of outward at YOU. Unbolting the strut and lowering the assembly outward will cause the spring to arc out quite a bit, and you'll be working against the control arm bushings (which only allow for a certain amount of rotation when torqued in properly). Installation is reverse of removal.

I've heard of multiple people doing the hose clamp method, and I think you guys are nuts. There are much easier, safer, and cheaper methods out there.
 
wow, someone cant take a joke.... and not even a thank you for the link.....

I had the rubber iso's off of my car but it was incredibly squeaky. I know peeps say that it isn't that bad but I did notice a difference when I put mine back on. I also put subframes on at the same time so that helped out a great deal as well. Goodluck and sorry you took offense to something that was suppose to be funny. I will take it out....
 
also if you havent done the front yets- make sure you get the car high enough off of the ground so the lower a-arm will go down all the way. The really only thing that sucks about the fronts is getting them back in. After setting them in and getting pressure on them becareful as they pop out fairly easily. when the A arm starts to become more parallel to the ground you should be good. I had to place my hand on it to help hold the spring in place but once there was pressure on it I let go. I have done quite a few so it is a bit easier for me now.
 
Alright thankyou for all of your help. I will post pictures of before and after. Ill try and get this done today depending on if I'm up to it when I get out of the range. Thanks again
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I am sorry I didn't spell SHOCKS correctly. Please forgive me I'm posting on my blackberry, I really hope no one got stupider from my incorrect spelling. And their eibach SPRINGS and tokico SHOCKS. If were done being belligerent, I would like to ask another question. Should I put rubber hosing on the springs so they do not make noise or rattle?



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Technically it's "they're eibach SPRINGS" and "if we're done being belligerent". :nice:

Good luck with the springs, though...and relax a bit.