It's finally here!!! The Spring Install thread is playing now at the "How To" forum near you ! Dial-up, get your parents permission first . Hurry, go check it out....

Ng

 

I already checked it out. Good job NG, very clear. Thanks for taking the time to do the how-to and post it.

 

How long for the front, how long for the rear?

How important is the impact wrench?

Looking forward to the handling report.

Thanks for the excellent coverage. I will be doing mine in the near future.

 

The impact wrench just makes it alot easier. You can just you a ratchet and socket set, though

 

I would like to hear from someone who can get the top main nut off the strut without an impact. I'm pretty sure it can be done...but I've tried and couldn't. The impact just makes life so much easier and faster.

I started the install on Saturday afternoon and had to stop because the air tools make noise and I didn't want to piss off the neighbors. I resumed on Sunday. I had to slow down to take pictures too. I didn't keep track of time, but I'm guesing for the average wrencher, and hour an a half for the back and three for the front. This is a solo, if you have someone to help it will be faster.

Ng

 

Thanks for the info. I have a medium compressor that has moderate output (good for low compsumption tools). I bought an air wrench, but have not tried it yet. I could always bring the assembly to my friends garage if I have any problems. I would like to do the front first just to see how the car looks with the raked look

 

About 3 Christmas's ago, my wife bought me a nice vertical compressor from Sears (about $250-$300). It came with a small impact that couldn't break squat. So I bought a really nice one from sears and paid about $100. At the time I was rebuilding/restoring my 89 Toy 4Runner, so I was using it almost every week. Now I hardly use it and sits in my garage. But it comes in handy in situations like this.

Ng

 

Re: top strut nut...

I've got an impact, but didn't bother getting it out for this job. It is a good "trick" if you don't have the special tools and have difficulty with the strut shaft turning with the nut, though.

Tip: Loosen (and tighten upon reassembly) the nut with the load on it. Much less tendency for the shaft to turn. Warning: Just loosen it. Make sure that the threads have good engagement before removing strut!

 

I've never tried that...I'm too paranoid from horror stories I've heard about springs popping out and going through walls and injuring people. That's for the brave. Good info though...

Ng

 

you can also grab the piston with vice grips and hold it while turning the nut but deff loosen while on the car