supension install difficulty

[GSXRACER20PSI]

how difficult would it be to install my own suspension im buying kyb shocks and sprint lowering springs. i have a shop that i can go to that has a lift and air tools. but i just want to know if im going to beable to take the old ones out and put the new ones on.

 

[larsenracing]

they arnt to bad depending on your rust situation.

 

[Ray_G]

I just went through a suspension install in my driveway with my 95 Talon and the rust situation is certainly something to be concerned with. I would prep the case by hitting it with PB Blaster a couple of times on the day's leading up, you want to make sure you get all the connections (particularly the front-the back really wasn't bad at all) and be careful about the links that join the sway bars-one of my was bad enough that it just got cut and replaced, the same was true for the rear sway bar links so I just ordered new ones and will put them on with the Suspenion Techniques rear sway bar when they arrive.

All told it took me two afternoons-but part of that was due to the aforementioned front end link that I had to rush to the Mitsubishi dealership to get and didn't feel like continuing that night. With air tools...much faster. I was busting it out with standard hand tools, breaker bar and the BFH.

Make sure you keep the stock strut pieces...all of them (even if the diagram doesn't show them!) or you'll be digging in the trash like someone dumb (me) was getting the cup and the little sleeve above it out.
Hope that helps!
r-
Ray

 

[Ray_G]

For clarification's sake-you won't need to remove the rear sway bar links for the rear suspension-I was trying to do the ST bar at the same time and ran into bad rust issues so I had to order new ones.

 

[TUI2I30]

are you replacing the strut mounts as well? I would recommend taking your springs/struts/mounts to a shop with a spring compressor to get your springs installed "safely". If you have access to a lift and air tools the job will be fairly simple to do, rust or no rust. I have a 3/8 drive impact wrench that makes these jobs, much more tolerable. Good Luck.

 

[GSXRACER20PSI]

what assembly do i have to do with the springs and struts?

 

[kicknurass4fun]

I just did kyb agx2 struts all around in my car it wasn't that bad. Except for the rear left shock rusted to the swing arm. I had to cut the shock off ever so carefully with a cutting disk. As for assembly with the springs and struts. I just got a spring compressor from autozone. Compressed the springs swapped the struts. In your case your going to have to uncompress the stock springs once you get them off and put the spring compressor on your lowering springs compress them and put them on the new struts. Did it all on my drive way. So you will be more then fine if you have a lift. Good luck

 

[Ray_G]

Changing out struts/springs is pretty much the reverse of taking them apart...depending upon how much your springs are lowering the car the compressors will be less necessary for re-install/reconstruction (particularly in the back) but they are good to have around just in case. After the 1st one it's really not that hard-but keep the diagram handy from a Haynes manual as a precaution.
r-
Ray

 

[GSXRACER20PSI]

im really nervous about messin my suspension up so does anybody have a step by step install of springs and struts?

 

[RamenPride]

it's not hard. three(?) 14mm nuts on the strut tower in the engine bay and two 17(?)mm bolts that hold the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. in the rear it's one bolt at the bottom and two nuts in the cargo area, don't remember the sizes. you can rent a strut spring compressor at Autozone. make sure you get an alignment afterwards. if you want something that's step by step, you can check the VFAQ or buy a repair manual.