Help on installing 2 front tokico illumina struts

[kmoore]

Hey guys let me start off by saying this, about six months ago i got my car lowered with Eibach Pro kit springs and some tokico illumina struts that were on the car before (all four corners). Well, when I went to the shop to install the springs the guy said that one of the front struts was blown. So for a quick fix I bought some Advance Auto parts shocks, knowing that i would eventually need to switch them out. Moving to present time, I finally got new Tokico illuminas shocks now, and I was going pay a shop to do it but they want $70 an hour for the install process and they said it would take them atleast two hours. I think that price is ridiculous, and decided to install them myself. First question, Do i need spring compressors for this install to get the old shocks out or the new tokico's in? I read Vfaq and wasn't really sure if they used them or not. (They had some guy pressing down on the spring, atleast thats what it looked like) Are there any tips on installing these or how difficult the overall job is? Thanks guys

P.S.- this is for a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST w/ eibach pro-kit

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You might not need a spring compressor, I did with stock springs, but not when using the prokits. I would have one just in case. My NAPA let me borrow theirs. They just took down my name and number and how long they think I would have it for.

Also if I were you, $140 to do a shock installation up front isn't bad at all. It's about right.
But It's not hard to do yourself so why not.

 

[kmoore]

Thats what i was thinking. Put the money that i saved from the install towards something else. Any other tips?

Thanks for your help by the way

 

[Cs4g63]

I just did struts on mine about a month ago and I didnt need a spring compressor. Of course I was an idiot and bought one before I did the job. So it sits in the tool box as an addition to the collection of once used tools.

 

[Raph]

Usually,you wont need a spring compressor on lowering springs.. but if the lowering springs are a wee bit shorter than stock,you might need one.

Having someone around with alot of bodywieght is as good as any spring compressor

Please dont hurt yourself swaping the shocks in,if you arent sure,please have a shop look at it.

The springs can suddenly decompress,so loosen the nut very slowly to relieve the tension if you have to do it that way (or rent a spring compressor from a Tool rental place..shouldnt be more than $25-$40).

 

[kmoore]

So really the most dangerous part of the whole install is the dissasembly of the strut and shocks? Does anybody else know of a write-up on a shock install besides Vfaq? I'm going to try my Chilton manual also.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

It's actually really easy. I went through this only 2 weeks ago, myself.
Just follow the vfaq and you'll be fine.
It's a total of like 5 or 6 bolts to remove a front shock. And 3 of those are on your strut tower.

 

[Artago]

I agree, it's not that hard and with lowering spring you probably wont need a compression tool. You should be able to do it no problem as long as you can get all the nuts and bolts off . Good luck.

 

[kmoore]

Thanks you guys are great. This site is awesome

 

[kmoore]

Hey guys i finally started this install. And it is a PITA!! I can not get that lower bolt off of the "lower shock retaining bolt" or whatever it is called. I got the nut off but i can't slide the bolt through the other side. I really need help!! Any suggestions? I have been using WD-40 the entire time.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

I just tapped on mine with a hammer, and then drove the bolt out the rest of the way with a screwdriver. You're just fighting the weight of the assembly.

Also, if you haven't done it yet, when you remove the shock fork from the bottom of the shock......it's much easier if you remove the bolt that passes through the collar and turn it around so it "jacks" the collar open (put a wrench in the "slot" of the collar), very easy to remove the fork that way.