I have an 88 asc camaro convertable and need to upgrade the suspension.
The questions I have are:
How difficult is it to access the shocks.. IE: do I need to tear apart the whole car?
and Could a guy do it that is pretty handy with stuff?
Finally, do I need special tools.
Thanks.

 

its pretty easy. the lower bolt is right by the rear tire, so that easy, the top bolt is under the carpet behind the back seats. If you fold down the seats, and pull the carpet back you will see 2 foam pieces on the corners of the front of the hump behind the back seats. the top bolts are under the foam.

no special tool needed, although an air powered impact gun can come in handy if the bolts are really tight.

i assume the rear top mount is as easy to access in a vert. never tried, but haven't hear otherwise

 

Thanks..I guess I will try to tackle it this weekend. I do have air tools so should go ok..
Any tips for the springs?

 

Ok, I get the shocks and stuff.. but how do you remove and replace the springs?
I have looked at it and am trying to figure that out.
do I need a spring compressor?

 

you need to put a jack under it to take all the weight off the springs and yes you need a quality spring compressor set You can use just one to get them out but watch it so it doesn't break,I don't care much for the autozone compressor set just because I have seen 2 sets break (ythe ears that grasp the top of the springs broke off)not by me but I guess it could have been me that it happened to. I think the guys it happened too probably had it too tight., be really careful if you don't know fully what you are doing; if the spring is comprssed and comes at you it can kill you. good luck.

 

The rear springs just fall out - LITERALLY - when you unbolt the shocks and let the rear down. Make sure they don't land on your face or anything.

The fronts require a spring compressor, and even with that, often require some ingenuity and invention of some new words to explain to the spring how unhappy you are with its behavior.

 

Ok, I guess I will start with the rears first.. Maybe take it to a shop for the front shocks and springs.

 

it's not bad, you could get it if you tried