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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 08:45 PM
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Question Lowering spring install

How long does it take to put lowering springs on and how much of a pain is it. Debating on doing it myself or getting someone else too.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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It's really not that hard. I took 2 days, probably 5 hours one day and 5 the next. I did springs, shocks and sway bar bushings and endlinks. I had never done this before so I read a how-to I found on here and took my time.

The rear was almost too easy. The front gave me trouble because my upper mounts where rusted pretty bad. After I compressed the spring I used a hack saw to cut the old shock shaft on one side, the other side I was able to unscrew the bolt. After that everything went together ok. The torx bolts under the brake booster were another bitch but I played with them until I got them.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 09:28 PM
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It's really not hard, just get yourself some spring compressors, and be careful with it is all. As stated the rear is super easy, the front takes a little longer. Do yourself a favor and get a quality spring also, it'll make it worth it later. Also, now would be a good time for shocks if you plan on doing it in the future, or havent already.
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:07 AM
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Thanks for the imput . Yeah now that you mention it it would be a good time for new shocks
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 01:35 PM
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I'd highly suggest purchasing front shocks and upper spring mounts as well - assemble everything off the car first. Once they're ready, it took me roughly an hour per side to swap out the fronts and that includes jacking and removing the wheel

The rear springs should almost fall out once you get the rear up and let the axle hang down...30min tops
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Like already mentioned the rear springs damn near fall out when jacking the car up. The fronts can be a pain, but doable. I have all the parts, just need the time to do it. I bought new strut mounts and isolators. That way I don't have to worry about destroying the old stuff. Most I have heard were pretty rusted.
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by VinR1
I'd highly suggest purchasing front shocks and upper spring mounts as well - assemble everything off the car first. Once they're ready, it took me roughly an hour per side to swap out the fronts and that includes jacking and removing the wheel
thats the way to do it, just count on everything in the front to be rusted
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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I just put mine on at the shop I work at and the rear took no time at all less than 25-30 minutes. The fronts took a lot longer. It helps if you have all the right tools. I also got lucky that car didn't have any rust and my top strut nut wasn't rusted like a lot of others on here have been. Good luck with the install
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by oh1ws6
I just put mine on at the shop I work at and the rear took no time at all less than 25-30 minutes. The fronts took a lot longer. It helps if you have all the right tools. I also got lucky that car didn't have any rust and my top strut nut wasn't rusted like a lot of others on here have been. Good luck with the install
Lucky dog! I'm hoping for the same, but preparing for the worse.
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 08:22 PM
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this is what i just went through.... thats how i pulled it off the car i think theres a nut there

i started with new shocks, springs and PHB. Then ended up getting new upper shock mounts, isolators, the spring seat cup and sway bar end links and i still need a alignment
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by kevin99hoss
this is what i just went through.... thats how i pulled it off the car i think theres a nut there

i started with new shocks, springs and PHB. Then ended up getting new upper shock mounts, isolators, the spring seat cup and sway bar end links and i still need a alignment
Man I feel for you on that one! That's worst case scenario right there haha and oh yeah OP you'll need an alignment after if you didn't know that already!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 01:40 AM
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Damn ! That looks rough . I good that doesn't happen to me for real. I would be up shot creek without a paddle
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 06:50 AM
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After you get it apart, coat the threaded portion of the new shock, retaining nut etc (everything that is rusty) with antiseize, marine grease etc to slow down/prevent the rust process from happening again. Has anyone thought of a way to grease the top portion of the shock assembly while it is on the car as periodic maintenance?
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 09:15 AM
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fill the cavity with grease before you bolt it up
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:10 AM
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Look up the Blue Knight. He has a video on how to install the springs.
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 98z8uup
Look up the Blue Knight. He has a video on how to install the springs.
and also ls1howto is what I used. Worked great, I rented a spring compressor from Autozone. Be careful compressing the spring, make sure the hooks are on the spring real good before clamping it down.

sam strano on here is a great guy to ask questions. has a ton of knowledge FYI
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