Installing new springs - couple of questions
#1
Installing new springs - couple of questions
I got a set of H&R sport springs and I'm planning on installing them this weekend.
Are there any special tools that I need?
Did you guys change the bushings when you did a new suspension setup? I only have 20,000 miles on the car, but perhaps the strut bushings are worn.
Any other suggestions/tips?
Thanks,
- Anthony
Are there any special tools that I need?
Did you guys change the bushings when you did a new suspension setup? I only have 20,000 miles on the car, but perhaps the strut bushings are worn.
Any other suggestions/tips?
Thanks,
- Anthony
#4
#6
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,815
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From: Mooresville, IN (Life Long Cheesehead)
I would NOT try an alignment at the house unless your house has a Hunter machine.
Do a search on here for changing out the springs. I recently put an X74 suspension on the car and had some help. Also researched it on RL before I dove in. Good Luck!
Do a search on here for changing out the springs. I recently put an X74 suspension on the car and had some help. Also researched it on RL before I dove in. Good Luck!
#7
last weekend i talked a guy thru some of the steps on the phone - its really not that bad - you need some tools - spring clamp comes to mind and good selection of "regular tools"
there are step by step instructions but I just "winged it" and really its pretty easy to figure out.
when are you doing it? - also the guy has not called me back but his initial impression was the H&R's on stock struts was a little bounce? I didnt drive it so not sure what he meant - I had Eibach on mine and found them quite nice, doubt there is much diff
there are step by step instructions but I just "winged it" and really its pretty easy to figure out.
when are you doing it? - also the guy has not called me back but his initial impression was the H&R's on stock struts was a little bounce? I didnt drive it so not sure what he meant - I had Eibach on mine and found them quite nice, doubt there is much diff
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#8
Alignment is not a black art, it's pretty easy and straight forward. If done at home in the driveway, it can be a rewarding experience. But a word of caution, it is critical to fully understand the process before going about it. I'm certain there are people that align cars professionally that have all the best equipment, yet don't really have a clue what they are doing. Give them levels, string, straight edges, tape measures, jacks and wrenches and they couldn't align a car for a million $.
I replaced all the suspension expendable compenents, bushings and bearings on a Jag XKE I had years ago and had to align both ends just to get it to an alignment shop. I decided to go one step further and dial it in to factory specs rather than getting it close. So the full alignment was done at home. 130mph hands off the wheel proved my results.
Years ago, I took the f & r suspension off my Jeep and did a 3.5" lift, new control arms, springs, shocks, track bar, etc. Driveway alignment worked perfect, handles superb, very even tire wear. 65k miles is proof that it can work.
Another point, is if you understand alignment and how to accomplish what you want, you realize the factory spec is a one size fits all recommendation. You won't go too far wrong using this, but it may not be right for you either. You can tweek it to get what you want and improve the car. This is true for everything else as well, ride height, tire pressures, sway bar diameters and settings.
Last edited by nick49; 04-10-2010 at 12:23 PM.
#9
last weekend i talked a guy thru some of the steps on the phone - its really not that bad - you need some tools - spring clamp comes to mind and good selection of "regular tools"
there are step by step instructions but I just "winged it" and really its pretty easy to figure out.
when are you doing it? - also the guy has not called me back but his initial impression was the H&R's on stock struts was a little bounce? I didnt drive it so not sure what he meant - I had Eibach on mine and found them quite nice, doubt there is much diff
there are step by step instructions but I just "winged it" and really its pretty easy to figure out.
when are you doing it? - also the guy has not called me back but his initial impression was the H&R's on stock struts was a little bounce? I didnt drive it so not sure what he meant - I had Eibach on mine and found them quite nice, doubt there is much diff
I've done lots of suspensions before so I'm not really too worried. I have a spring compressor, a spindle spreader tool (although I don't think I need that for this car), and a full selection of regular tools.
I've read numerous threads about lifting the 996 to put it jackstands, and I don't feel comfortable lifting via the motor. I think I'm going to put the front on jackstands, then keep the rear in the air with two floor jacks, and then put two jack stands under the rear suspension crossmember as a fail-safe.
I'll take pictures and post back when I'm done.
- Anthony
#10
After installing a suspension though, wait a week or two for everything to settle before you go get an alignment.
- Anthony
#11
should be "cake" for you
took me 30 minutes ea in the rear to take out and mount (not including bench time) and a little over an hour ea up front (again no bench time) - I bought my replacements pre assembled
took me 30 minutes ea in the rear to take out and mount (not including bench time) and a little over an hour ea up front (again no bench time) - I bought my replacements pre assembled
#13
when you do the upgrade, try to take a couple pictures for us
I want to upgrade my suspension and I think I 'll bring it to the shop, hoping to have it aligned at the same time.
About your remark to wait until it settle, does it means that I should do another alignment a few weeks after ?
I am curious to see a diy on suspension replacement. I want to replace mine with PSS10, I like the idea of adjustable suspensions.
I want to upgrade my suspension and I think I 'll bring it to the shop, hoping to have it aligned at the same time.
About your remark to wait until it settle, does it means that I should do another alignment a few weeks after ?
I am curious to see a diy on suspension replacement. I want to replace mine with PSS10, I like the idea of adjustable suspensions.
#15
I just finished this (it took about 6 hours working alone), and aligning the rear shock was the hardest part of the whole process. You really need two people to do that, but I managed to do it alone. A true pry-bar would have made everything go a lot easier.
As for the drop - it is perfect. I think the rear could be maybe .25" higher, but it definitely looks good. I'd put it at factory GT3 height, maybe a tad lower. With my GT3 fitment wheels, it looks amazing. I'll post some pics tomorrow.
- Anthony