How hard is this to do? I've done some searches and I see some very contradictory things. Some people say it was easy as pie, and others have said that it was the most horrible thing they've ever done in their lives.

I also found some links to some step-by-step tutorials, but they were so old they're not there anymore.

I wish I had my shop manual with me... it'd make things a lot easier.

I'm going to be in there replacing my saggy RS springs and putting some IROC springs in there, and replacing my old struts with some Koni yellows. I gotta get the ride height back up to at least stock, since Ineed to make room for some long tubes and duals to go under the car for the engine swap that's going to happen soon.


Saggy front RS springs:


I know from my searches that there are some bushings in there that are only accessible by removing the springs and shocks like Im doing. Im kind of stretched for money (A lot is going towards my engine swap) so instead of doing a full front-end rebuild (Since Im thinking I cant afford it), I'm hoping I can get away with only replacing the bushings that require the removal of the shocks and springs, and getting to the rest of them later, if there are any of them left. So which ones should I take care of while I'm in there?

And lastly, along with "how difficult is this?", is how many special tools do I need to get this done? I dont have access to any air tools. I've seen people say that without air tools it's nigh on impossible, and I've seen people say that they did it just fine without air tools.

Do I need a spring compressor? (Replacing RS springs with IROC springs. So they're not lowering springs) Anything else?

 

There's a rubber isolator at the top of the spring that can only be replaced by removing the spring. Spohn sells them--and probably GM. I've replaced the springs twice, once without airtools, once with. The latter saves times and generally makes the swap easier, but it's possible with traditional hand tools. I used a spring compressor both times. A chain securing the spring to the a-arm will provide some piece of mind. This would be a good time to consider replacing the a-arm bushings as well.

JamesC

 

i did it all at one time, sportlines, a arm bushings, KYB struts etc, painted everything but doing it really didnt take all that long. id say about an hour to get it all back together. air tools help but i wouldnt use them on the top of the struts... only the big stuff. mine was easy and i didnt even need spring compressors bc the sportlines are so short lol. just had a jack under the a arm and just compressed it up and bolted everything up.

it also depends on condition of the other parts. like sway bar endlinks etc.... stocks will give u alot of trouble since they are prob rusted solid and it would take more time just cutting them off. mine was replaced so it was simple. a shop manual will def help alot just in case.

i did alot of it without air tools even tho i had them and i was fine. u will prob need a spring compressor since the IROC springs are still kinda tall.

 

infernalvortex, whats the part number on the iroc springs you have and where did you get them from? i'm having difficulty finding them.

 

Check Spohn.

JamesC

 

ok, i'm fixing to do the same job on my z28, whats the best way to disconnet the LCA's if you don't have the J-23028 tool, and how about getting the bushings out of the LCA?

sorry to jack your thread man

 

I'd replace the sway bar endlinks and a-arm bushings as you do the struts/springs. Also, you might want to look into replacing your strut mounts.