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Should I do this suspension work myself or should I have the pros do it?[200/1981] posted by John S. on
Saturday, 20 May 2000, at 11:24 p.m.
Hey all, I have an '81 244. I replaced the rear shocks today, only took me an hour, it was so simple. I replaced them with Boge Turbo Shocks. Anyways I need to replace the front ball joints (lower), struts, and tie rods. Is this an easy job or is it better left to the pros? What tools would I need?
If someone has detailed instructions that would be great too. I have a haynes manual. Thanks for the help everyone.
-John
Re: Should I do this suspension work myself or should I have the pros do it?[200/1981] posted by chris herbst on
Sunday, 21 May 2000, at 11:44 a.m.
The job is hardly that difficult if you have some tools. You need at least: strut removal kit (helps a LOT), pipe wrench, sockets, etc., open end wrenches for the tie rod ends... um, that's about it. It's really pretty simple but plan on taking an afternoon to do it.
The problem that I ran into--and why I didn't have a shop do my struts the last two times they wore out--was that they INSISTED that you have to take all the brake lines off, and therefore charged a lot more money. But you don't have to take off the brake lines... try telling a shop that.
If you find a shop to do it for you, and to do it right, then go for it. You might be able to find one that is pretty competent and for a good price. it pays to shop around. Even if you have to buy some tools, it might still be worth it to do it yourself. I can provide detailed instructions if you want. I've done it twice on 2 240s in the last year. I didn't even bother with pneumatic tools or anything. Just hand tools. Pretty basic.
chris
chris herbst, milwaukee, wi ---- 91 245, 87 244, 90 245, 87 245
old site... new one under construction
Re: Should I do this suspension work myself or should I have the pros do it?[200/1981] posted by Paul Seminara on
Sunday, 21 May 2000, at 6:08 p.m.
Dr. "Herb" Herbst nailed it again - man he's quick.
Anyhow - Spend a few clams and get a Bentley Manual (I know it starts at 1983, but the front and most of the rest of the car is the same). Bentley in combo with your Haynes will give you a great "feel" for this "once you do it, why did I ever pay anyone to do it job".
Safety. Be safe. A good set of MacPherson spring compressors is required. A method for removing the top nut as well. (special tool, Lisle tool, impact wrench, homemade tool all have been used with sucess)
I say: GO FER IT!!
--Paul "Dreamin' of IRV's record" Seminara
Paul's Page for Amsoil
Re: Should I do this suspension work myself or should I have the pros do it?[200/1981] posted by Onkel Udo on
Monday, 22 May 2000, at 11:11 a.m.
> Safety. Be safe. A good set of MacPherson spring compressors is
> required. A method for removing the top nut as well. (special tool,
> Lisle tool, impact wrench, homemade tool all have been used with
> sucess)
Here in lies the rub. Getting the top nut off was the #1 problem for me. In the end, we had to drill through the strut rods, put a bolt through the hole (broke 2 standard bolts & finally used a 3/8" grade eight), put a pipe wrench on the srutrod/bolt, & wail on the breaker bar with a 3' pipe extension. Your results may vary but be sure you can get the nut off BEFORE you take anything important apart.
Onkel Udo
Good post, Onk, ..I remember that!![200/1981] posted by Paul Seminara on
Monday, 22 May 2000, at 12:03 p.m.
Happened to me once as well. I had to take the center nut out with the springs compressed and then remove the assembly with compressed spring (no big deal actually) then I just took the still compressed spring away from strut, but I still had the nut stuck with all the other parts (washers, strut bearing, rubber parts) - I ended up putting the strut rod in a pipe vise, plus a pipe wrench forced against the workbench and got on the nut with about 4' of pipe and breaker bar...
Since then I've used a air impact gun with good success! (And as Dr. Udo says: Loosen this first (just a bit)....)
--Paul A. Seminara
Paul's Page for Amsoil Products
Re: Should I do this suspension work myself or should I have the pros do it?[200/1981] posted by Mark on
Sunday, 21 May 2000, at 8:54 p.m.
Count the threads on the rods.Mark it.Drive it straight to alignment shop when through.SLOWLY.
--Mark / politicalswat@aol.com