How hard is it to replace all shocks?
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How hard is it to replace all shocks?
I want to get a set of Bilstein shocks and struts for my 88 GTA. How hard would it be to do this myself? I have access to any kind of tool I would need. Does the car have to be aligned afterwards? Thanks for any info! Matt
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Car: '92 Camaro RS, '93 Ranger
Engine: LO3, Vulcan
Transmission: 700R4, M5OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 3.45
Struts are easy if they've been changed at least once or twice in the life of the car. You will need to get at least the front end realigned. Personally, I'd go for a whole car alignment if you replace the struts and the shocks. DO it all at once too, no sense in getting the fron edn aligned, change the shocks, adnt hen get a whole car alignment done
(someone probably has better adive on this, i haven't actually put my new struts in yet, and it took me a month to get the original struts out because of rusted bolts)
(someone probably has better adive on this, i haven't actually put my new struts in yet, and it took me a month to get the original struts out because of rusted bolts)
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The rear shocks are real easy, so do them yourself. Also, by doing the shocks yourself, you avoid having a mechanic messing around on the inside of your car.
The struts are much harder and you probably need an impact wrench. Just have the place who will do the alignment change the struts IMO.
The struts are much harder and you probably need an impact wrench. Just have the place who will do the alignment change the struts IMO.
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Car: 88 IROC Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Raptor 700
both the shocks and struts are cake to do if you have access to the right tools and are somewhat mechanically minded. For the struts its only a matter of 2 bolts that attach the struts to the spindle and the one nut at the strut tower. The rears are even easier so i say do them all yourself. If you need help thats what we're here for.
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Car: '92 Camaro RS, '93 Ranger
Engine: LO3, Vulcan
Transmission: 700R4, M5OD
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 3.45
I'd say the struts are very doable, this was my first ever car repair task. Just make sure you get a chalk pen or something similar and trace around the strut mounts. That way you can line it up when you are done.
The hardest part for me was the two lower bolts. I don't have an impact wrench, so my dad and I literally had to beat on the things with the wrench on. I also got clever and used a hydrualic jack to "lift" the wrench and get 2 of the nuts off. Thats probably rather unsafe because of the wound up energy involved, but I always stopped if it seemed too "tight"
The hardest part for me was the two lower bolts. I don't have an impact wrench, so my dad and I literally had to beat on the things with the wrench on. I also got clever and used a hydrualic jack to "lift" the wrench and get 2 of the nuts off. Thats probably rather unsafe because of the wound up energy involved, but I always stopped if it seemed too "tight"
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I have never really done the struts on a modified strut set up like ours, but coil overs are very straight forward. Be careful on the bearing plate, and make sure your dust boot is in good shape reinstalled.
The rear shoks are pretty no brainer; anything you can take off the car and still be able to drive with is generally mucho easy. Toughest is getting the nuts off I suppose, hit them with some penetrating lube early on, then jack it up and what not.
The rear shoks are pretty no brainer; anything you can take off the car and still be able to drive with is generally mucho easy. Toughest is getting the nuts off I suppose, hit them with some penetrating lube early on, then jack it up and what not.
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Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
If you still don't have a shop manual for your car, at least drop the $15 for the Haynes 82-92 Camaro (or Firebird) manual, found in most "chain-style" parts stores (like Pep Boys). The procedure for both front and rears is inside. Oh and you don't have to remove the upper strut mount unless you're replacing it. And yes, the rears are very easy to do.
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Thanks for the advice! I'll take a shot at it. One benefit of being in the Air Force, is the access to the base auto hobby shops. They have any tools you can imagine, it's indoors, air conditioned, etc. You can turn rotors, mount tires, align your car, swap engines, weld, etc. They have the tools for all of that. So, getting an impact wrench or any tools I need isn't a problem. he ones I'm the most concerned about is the struts in the front. The shocks in the back are fine, but they're just cheapo shocks. The ones in the front are blown. Could that be what the constang rattlng I'm hearing from my front end is? It's annoying as hell. Thanks for the info! Matt
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Car: 1989 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: Built TH-700 R4 (Vilgilante 2800)
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt w/ PBR's
Howdy
I did my rear KYB shocks last week and it was very easy!! Well if I did it again it would take half as long since I know what to do now. I have KYB struts sitting in my room that I need to do. I Just hope the bolts are not rusted too much!! lol Well good luck its good to see people trying to do work on their car and not just bringing it some where.
Kevin
Kevin
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Re: Howdy
Originally posted by gearhead0384
Well good luck its good to see people trying to do work on their car and not just bringing it some where.
Kevin
Well good luck its good to see people trying to do work on their car and not just bringing it some where.
Kevin
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Car: '88 Iroc, '91 RS, and a '70 RS
Engine: 5.7 TPI; 5.0 TBI; ZZ4/T56 on the ag
Transmission: A4, A4, slated to be a T56
Here's what you're looking at:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/tar...c=ph%26.view=t
Not a bad job, just take your time.
Ed
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/tar...c=ph%26.view=t
Not a bad job, just take your time.
Ed
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