Lego, I'd love to go to a gtg. I live in SLO, about 2.5 hours north of LA... but believe me driving long distances is no problem for me. If you're having a gtg shoot me a PM! I like driving but I like wrenching more.

I have heard the strut can be undone from the top mount, disconnect the sway bar, push down and pull the strut top out past the fender... etc. I haven't tried it this way yet (I heard about it after doing the last car). Sounds clever! But compressing the spring is not needed?

 

No. Its really trick and you have to almost see it to believe it.

 

Then I definitely need to see it! Let me know when there's a wrench day planned and maybe I can make a nice day trip.

 

Its on the socal get together thread. Julie may come over so we can change it out on her car.

 

Well arash/lego, when I get the shocks n' stuff I'll see what you guys are doing. But right now I'm in a bit of a pinch so it'll have to wait.

How much is the ball joint rebuild kit gonna run? *attempting to find price...*

 

I'll learn from the great Lego and pass on what I learn to you, young padawan. Did you look on rennbay for the ball joint boots? When all else fails always check ebay.

 

As far as the ball joints go... how do I even know if I need to replace the joint or just the boot?
Also what kit do I get? Of these ones:

http://www.rennbay.com/ball-joint-re...s-c-30_48.html

 

*sigh* My step dad is insisting on bilistein shocks... anyone have any comment on them? I think they are cheaper than the koni's
Bilistein = $198
Koni = $135+$250= $385.
Each. ugh.

 

i have two koni inserts and weltmeister 250lb springs for sale for $300

 

If you're in a pinch and need your car, why not find some used Sachs/Boge assemblies and swap them in?

There has to be someone here with used stock struts for sale, cheaper than any Bilstein or Koni.

Check the ball joint with a big pair of tongue and groove pliers. Grab on to the strut/spindle and lower arm and squeeze (get it, you're trying to compress the pin into the socket)..if you can feel any movement it's time to replace the joint.

 

If the boots are torn, they need replacing. If not, then not! As for the joints themselves, listen to ^Jess.

I just went through this EXACT same problem, man. Found out all my shocks were blown so I tried to figure out the best choice... trying to keep it cost effective but also not junk.

Are there Bilsteins available for your 1986 car? I thought they were only made for the early struts. I'm talking about the front. The rears are available for all cars. From what I learned, Bilsteins are not adjustable, considered generally stiffer, and are of equal quality compared to Konis.

 

I'm not in a pinch and needing the car, I'm just venting about the price.

Koni's worth the money?
EDIT: bil's are supposedly avail for my '86 Did I get the price for the Koni's right?

 

$300 for the complete set? Are they used?
How different are the 250's than stock?

 

I think he meant $300 for the two front inserts along with the springs.

Konis are expensive but man just look at some of the racecar setups for sale... the price soars into the thousands easily! On our '84, I replaced all 4 shocks for something like $200! You basically gotta decide how much you like this car, how long you want to keep it, and how much money/fun you want to invest/extract.

 

$300 for 2 front struts, 1.5 years old, 1 pair of 250LB springs, .5 years old, the 250's are what should have come on these cars from the factory, perfectly fine for the street