tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

How hard is it to do the rear spring and shock swap? A shop is installing the fronts (both spring and shock) for $100, however, they want $150 just for the rears. From reading some of the posts here, I was led to believe that the rear springs/shocks swap is a lot easier than the fronts. Is my assumptions right? I was thinking about doing the rears by myself and let the shop install the fronts for $100.

Just curious as to why the shop charges more for the rears than the fronts, and also wanted to confirm that swapping the rears is something that I can do by myself.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that my car is 1999 SS convertible (not sure if that makes a difference or not)

Thanks,

Sid.

cemlsx

well i had a shop install my both front and rear shocks due to being at my holiday house without any tools , but i can easily tell you from what i've read and seen , the rears are easier.. it took the guys almost 3 hours to do the fronts , and only an hour to do the rear.. front shock nuts a a b*tch to take off in most cases , whereas the rear has no such problems.. i think you could easily pull off a rear shock/spring swap ..

99zee

iTrader: (4)

The rears are very easy. Save the money and do them yourself. There are a few write up's and a video floating around here that can help you out.

redracer1

iTrader: (2)

ya those quoted prices would be backwards.

The back is so easy you'd kick your own *** for not doing it yourself.
& if you were a little closer to SD I'd throw it up on my lift and help ya.

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

Hard top or convertible?

Hell, I'd do it for $100

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I think you might want to find a different shop, cause the front is way more involved than the rear................ And more than $50 different as far as I'm concerned even if they just got the two ends mixed up.

tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

That's what i've read that a guy recently swapped both the rears for under 1 hour. Thanks for the offer to help, I appreciate it. Like I mentioned below, the guy that I spoke to is actually aware that he's gonna take a loss but they need to bring people into their shop.

My car is a vert though, would that make a difference? I am actually very very interested to know this.

that is what I am thinking, but the shop is a vendor here and has a good rep with f-bodies.

Let me call the shop and talk the guy directly.

EDIT: Well, it's been confirmed, $100 for the fronts.

Thanks!

dubga

iTrader: (8)

That's exactly what I would do. Mine is a vert and I changed shocks and springs a few weeks ago. Front was a HUGE pain...top nut rusted on, used a sawzall to cut it off, cheap rental spring compressors to deal with...

Rears were a breeze...no rusted nuts, barely even needed the spring compressors.

LS1RedZ

iTrader: (19)

Do the rear yourself! Get a jack and some stands and a couple tools and your set. I cant believe they wanna charge you more to do the rears. Hell you can do the rear in 45minutes.

wfritts911

iTrader: (2)

Ya take advantage of the fronts for 100 and do the rears yourself, jack car up from the frame and the springs pretty much pull out. Definitely not a 150 dollar job. Shouldnt take but an hour tops

-Will

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

Watch my install video and you will see you can do the install yourself. Put the $100 saved toward more mods.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...all-video.html

WS6 SRT-8

iTrader: (18)

I did both front and rear myself. I used info that I found here on LS1Tech. Do it youself and put the money saved elswhere. It'll be a good confidence builder too.

LS1RedZ

iTrader: (19)

Exactly. Theres no tellin how much money I have saved from just getting out there with pops and doing it myself. If you have time that is. Some ppl just dont have the time to work on their own cars. You will have much more appreciation towards the car. Somebody will always ask who did your work and when you can yourself it feels even better.

tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

That is what I am worried about, I literally dont have 4-5 hours to change the fronts at the moment, plus, $100 doesnt seem to bad for the labor involved.

Will do! I'll post an update on Saturday.

Dude, you videos are awesome!!! Thank you. I will def. refer to it when I swap my rear suspension and of course when I change my master cyl. soon!

Yeah, I know that feeling when you work on it youself. That's what I did with my LS7 clutch swap. Still put a smile on my face everytime I remember that we did it ourselves. But, at the moment, I really dont have the time except maybe tire rotations, oil changes and 1 or 2 hours in the garage.

Thanks for the replies!

redracer1

iTrader: (2)

personally the vert is easier for the rear shock install.

1st fold down seat...

remove this


Remove this


slide out the rear panel here


Cut carpet here and fold back


Remove foam...


There's the top shock mount...and if you install KoniSA 4/4 it's also very easy to access the top adj


It's tight but you get the picture..


Rermove this nut at the lower mount and you just slide the shock out the bottom...reverse the steps to install but mount your new shock at the top 1st let them hang while you lower the rear diff to remove and install the springs then just bolt the lower shock up


New Koni SA's


Should look something like this: Koni SA's, Strano Springs & Sways, UMI Relo-Brackets & LCA's w/roto-joints

tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

this helped me a lot! finished the install yesterday using you pics and guide, although i checked this thread a little late, i let the rear totally hanging free a few times. hope that does not damage anything.

thanks!!

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Well, where are pics? Where are the impressions?

tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

i figure i want to get the alignment done first before i can post any sort of impression, and to kill two birds with one stone, i'll post pics there too.

As of right now: the front seems a little bumpy when i drive over speed bumps, the rear is very very solid, the rebound is awesome on the rear. So to be fair, i'll hold my judgment until after the alignment.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I'll be waiting. The springs, aren't soft--they are 550 vs. your stock fronts of 292... That's a big difference and certainly will ride firmer, which is why I cringe when folks say "I want to lower it but have it ride like stock".