Can I change out my struts and shocks myself?
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RE: Can I change out my struts and shocks myself? - 1/8/2008 7:32:17 AM
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DevilsReject
Toys For Tots Fund Contributor
Posts: 7856
Joined: 7/29/2005
From: Indianapolis, Indiana a.k.a Hell
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 74scamp
I know some of you have changed struts and shocks. How difficult is it to do. I'm not without some mechanical knowledge, just wondering if its something I can do in my garage? Any tips or secrets to doing it?
Thanks,
dave
It can be done, with the proper tools. I will definitely tell you from personal experience that it can be a royal PITA.....but its definitely worth the savings in money if you can do it yourself....
Consider that most places charge between $750 and 1000 to replace all 4....and you could get the parts and do them yourself for not even half of the price.
Again, its not something I would recommend for everyone to do. If you have limited knowledge or time, it can be a full weekend project if you take your time and do it right. I yanked my struts on my Beretta....took me a day and a half.....but it was just me doing it....and the car was already minus its transmission (I dropped my 2nd one racing it  )
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RE: Can I change out my struts and shocks myself? - 1/8/2008 10:53:40 AM
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MangoInTX
Pat & Amandas Wedding Fund Contributor
Posts: 2727
Joined: 4/10/2006
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The rear shocks are not bad. I did mine when installing sway bars, you unbolt the rear end assembly (4 bolts) with a hydraulic jack under the diff and drop it roughly 4-5 inches. Unbolt the shocks then run her back up.
The front struts aren't hard but I had an issue with the KW springs being tapered towards the bottom, my spring compressor wouldn't fit onto it. I took the OEM springs off the struts and then took the new springs/strut/top hat to Firestone and had them compress the spring and assemble it for me for 80 HEMI bucks. Just take off the OEM strut assembly and your new springs/struts and have them do it <= you avoid messing with those nasty springs this way.
The only somewhat special tool you need is a tie rod end puller (see attached pic).
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< Message edited by MangoInTX -- 1/8/2008 12:16:20 PM >
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