Topic: Suspension Install (Read 1328 times)

zeedeveel55 · « **on:** March 16, 2011, 10:56:19 AM »

It's that time a year again, more daylight, warmer temps and autox season is on the horizon. That being said, I have struts, springs and strut tops to put on (for starters). I'm fairly confident i could put these on by myself, but a little adult supervision can't hurt. If i can get some help, i would like to do it Sunday because it's supposed to be relatively nice out. Also, there are only a couple of weekends (5 or 6) left before the start of the season, and i need to get these on and get a feel for the car and i need to get an alignment too.

So, is there anybody free Sunday that is willing to lend a hand?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ALL DONE^^^^^^^^^^^^

Next task bump steer and roll center kit, camber bolts

SideshowBob · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:06:30 AM »

Where are you?

zeedeveel55 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:10:31 AM »

niskayuna, two thousand four lexington parkway

20wrx09 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2011, 04:40:04 PM »

you should be fine by yourself. i did my bilsteins and rce yellows by myself, but i did have a lift. its still do-able alone. good luck

Kavik · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2011, 04:50:47 PM »

it's doable alone, but would be much easier with extra hands. No idea if I'll be free that day or not, but i may be able to give a hand

#1 advice tip, strut top mounting bolts are only like 14.5lb torque and they WILL snap if you tighten them down too hard

rshaw123 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2011, 05:01:51 PM »

Quote from: Kavik on March 16, 2011, 04:50:47 PM

it's doable alone, but would be much easier with extra hands. No idea if I'll be free that day or not, but i may be able to give a hand

#1 advice tip, strut top mounting bolts are only like 14.5lb torque and they WILL snap if you tighten them down too hard

Thats why I only put those on hand tight and then when the car is back on the ground, use a hand socket wrench and tighten them down from there

Kavik · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2011, 05:13:28 PM »

^exactly the right way

rshaw123 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2011, 05:21:05 PM »

I just absolutely hate replacing the struts in the rear

Kavik · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2011, 06:11:08 PM »

this thread is about a wagon install....much easier than a sedan

SideshowBob · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2011, 06:35:29 PM »

Yeah, Wagon is quick. I was able to do the whole thing in about an hour with one other person towards the end of my run doing suspensions.

rshaw123 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:35:34 PM »

yeah I changed suspension in my Hyundai Hatchback. That was a pain in the ass. but I have helped change in a RS wagon at school too.

Quote from: SideshowBob on March 16, 2011, 06:35:29 PM

Yeah, Wagon is quick. I was able to do the whole thing in about an hour with one other person towards the end of my run doing suspensions.

I got it down to 45 minutes by myself with my Hyundai

Kavik · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:24:50 PM »

when I did mine I think it was like 6 hours LOL
but that was in a sedan, with very little previous experience, working outdoors in on and off rain, and having to swap tophats from the old set to the new set

Devin, are the struts pre-assembled?

Iant333 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:31:28 PM »

I might be able to stop by. I'll get back to you, just PM me your number or something.

I've never installed struts on a Subaru before but I'm sure I'd have no trouble doing it, I've done much more complicated suspension stuff on other vehicles.

zeedeveel55 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:44:46 PM »

Quote from: Kavik on March 16, 2011, 10:24:50 PM

when I did mine I think it was like 6 hours LOL
but that was in a sedan, with very little previous experience, working outdoors in on and off rain, and having to swap tophats from the old set to the new set

Devin, are the struts pre-assembled?

no but i have top hats to go with everything, so they can be pre-assembled

number 518 three nine one eight zero eight five

Photofixer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2011, 07:49:10 PM »

Did you ever get a impact? you gonna need it to get those top hat bolts loose....

Kavik · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2011, 07:58:02 PM »

F that. breaker bar while they're still on the car with the car on the ground works just fine
I mean, it's easier if you have one I guess, but I wouldn't go buying one just for this

rshaw123 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2011, 08:59:29 PM »

I only use impact tools to take apart my suspension and install it (everything short of top hat bolts)

flutyr525 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2011, 09:26:00 PM »

Quote from: Kavik on March 16, 2011, 04:50:47 PM

#1 advice tip, strut top mounting bolts are only like 14.5lb torque and they WILL snap if you tighten them down too hard

Ok Daryl...I said I'm sorry multiple times now

Kavik · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2011, 10:36:57 PM »

I've never held it against you Ryan, just warning others

SideshowBob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2011, 09:04:00 AM »

Yeah, it's really annoying when that happens too!

zeedeveel55 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2011, 09:57:50 AM »

Quote from: Kavik on March 18, 2011, 07:58:02 PM

F that. breaker bar while they're still on the car with the car on the ground works just fine
I mean, it's easier if you have one I guess, but I wouldn't go buying one just for this

hopefully i can get the bolts off without the use of my left thumb which bent so far backwards yesterday at volleyball that i almost threw up.

im off to go buy a spring compressor now, then startin the install.

zeedeveel55 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2011, 03:35:57 PM »

had a buddy come over and help, got it done in right around 4 hours. no major issues, no clunks, the car tracks pretty good, but im still gonna use the free alignment i won to albany speed shop

Kavik · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:26:33 PM »

glad you got it all done. I went out to download the map off my blue car, then was going to give you a buzz.....but instead ended up downloading the map, removing the fuel lines, rails and injectors and disconnecting the main wiring harness

Photofixer · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:46:19 PM »

THIS THREAD IS FULL OF FAIL! DEV come on no pics??

zeedeveel55 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2011, 01:11:17 PM »

yea i suck i know. i can take after pics, but i can't go back in time to take the before pics. this means i will have to warsh muh car.

nice to see you're alive btw. im gonna need your help in a few weeks to do those gauges. i still have to buy a bunch of parts.

Author Topic: Suspension Install (Read 1328 times)