I just bought a PST front end kit and a set of KYB struts and shocks. I've never worked on a front suspension with struts before, so I'm kind of leary on taking it apart. Should I need to compress the spring or anything? I'm not concerned about an alignment, I have a buddy who works at a Ford dealer that I think will help me out on that after hours . I just don't want to have a coil spring take my hand off or anything! Any help is much appreciated!!

Thanks

Dave

 

If your not going to change the springs, you can raise the car and place it on jack stands, then put your floor jack under the a-arm (remove the grease fitting on the ball joint) and raise slightly.

Loosen the two mounting bolts holding the strut to the spindle. Lower the jack until the bolts can be removed. Remove the top nut on the strut (in the engine compartment) first, though.

Once the old one is out, place your new one in place, bolt it in (not tightened, yet), raise the a-arm a bit and then remove the strap on the strut. The rod will slowly start to extend, so be ready to get it thru the mounting hole in the inner-fender.

You will need a torque wrench that can register 205 ft/lbs on the two bolts on the spindle. That would be the only 'special' tool needed. Everything else is basic hand tools.

 

Here's my rebuild page:

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/taramille...tos.yahoo.com/

This will give you a good idea of what's involved with front suspension disassembly, I haven't got it back together yet. It's pretty much the same in reverse, with torque specs and such.

Ed

 

The bolts are 24 mm
Factory spec is closer to 275 ftlbs
I'd consider a breaker bar ( I couldn't loosen them without
it but I'm a tequila swilling twinky )

If you got the kit that implies bushings on the a arms
have a look at eds page lots of good things there
except those go da amed cinder blocks

Don't do that