i bought some new kyb shocks for my 86 camaro v6, alon with a set of strut mounts...
i was wondering if i am installing the new shocks/struts with the old spring if i would need to do anything to them before i put them in? or would i just put them in and they will work fine?
i belive you need spring compressors if you want to put new springs with used/old shocks or struts so would i have to do something like that to the shocks/struts?
thank you

 

Nope. All you need is basic hand-tools, jacks, and jack stands. I'm not sure how the repair manuals say to do it, but for my struts, I just unbolt them from the spindle (after jacking it up, putting the car on stands, and supporting the a-arm with the jack) and then unbolt the strut mount and then pull the assembly out. The strut will come out the top, if I recal correctly. Then you just reinstall everything.
On the rear, I unbolt the top shock mount from inside the car, jack it up, put the car on stands, lower the rear with the jack. At this point, you might be able to wrestle the springs out to avoid having them fall out and hitting you in the head at some point. Then unbolt the bottom bolts and replace the shocks.
You will want to have an allignment scheduled after the fronts. Replacing them will throw off the allignment and unless you are positive you can install them exactly as they should be, you'll need an allignment.

 

You'll need 87+ strut mount retainers. Check the following link for more info:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...elp-quick.html

JamesC