Just wondering how tough it is to change rear shocks and front struts on a 3rd gen? I am thinking about doing this myself on my 85 Z28, I have no air tools. it will be all elbow grease. Rear shocks should not be bad. The front struts look different then I am accustomed to, they are not attached and compressed within the spring. Any special tools required for strut replacement? Any tips, tricks, or traps ?? Any brand recommendations ? Aprreciate any and all help !! Thanx ! giantsjohn

 

its a pretty simple job to do. Just letting you know for the rears you dont have to rip apart your interior to take them out. You can just fold downt eh back seat and pull away the carpet and there right there. Thats pretty much the only "trick" to changing them. You can do them with handtools but it probably aint gonna be that fun though.

 

I had to take out the back part of my interior. The carpet has a thick backing on some models (RPO code for quiet interior, go figure) that makes it impossible to fold back. I also had to use an impact wrench for removing the front strut top bolts.

 

Struts are harder, but easily doable. Rears are a cinch.

Look here for a how to:

http://photos.yahoo.com/taramiller72


Click on the Camaro albums. I have easy to understand directions and the pics to go along with it.

HTH..Ed

 

just remember to put a jack under the front a arm to keep the spring compressed. i replaced mine without airtools. the strut bolts were tough but i put a good size ratchet on the back and lodged it so it would move then i started loosen the bolt from the outter side. i then used a t bar for lug nut on the bolts. it fit and gave me plenty of leverage.

 

yeah i replaced my rear shocks in my iroc and it only took about 1 hour but i had the help of air tools, but just using hand tools it should not be that harder.

never had the pleasure of changing struts yet..

 

I just changed the shocks and struts on my IROC. Without air tools. It would be an unimaginable PITA but it could be done. Be sure to support the front lower control arm, then jack the rest of the car up to gain clearance to work on it. Good luck.

 

Rears are easy, just do one at a time and support the rear. Like stated above, the carpet just behind the rear seats will need to be pulled up a little the gain access to the upper nuts.

The front struts are easy, but will be a more difficult without air tools. The upper retaining nut and lower bolts/nuts will be difficult to get off. Make sure you have a long 1/2" breaker bar and plenty of WD-40. And support those control arms!

Make sure to have your car IMMEDIATELY aligned after the install.

 

What tools are required to do this? Do you need a spring compressor?

 

The struut to spindle bolts have a very high torque spec. Search it. I think its like 195 ft/lbs. Double check, don't take my word for it.