Suspension HOW-TO - CEG Archives

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Hey all,

I have been looking through this board and have noticed 2 things.

1) There is a spring/strut how to article in the article section of this site and there is supposidly an "Ausie how-to" which I can't find. Anyone know where this is or if there is another how-to with pictures?

2) Also, I am putting the BAT Euro kit on...do I need a camber kit? ...I don't think I do.

3) And what is adjusting TOE?

4) With the BAT kit...since I am not using the old springs do I even need a spring compressor? Do I use this thing to either put in/take out the old suspension?

Some of these questions may or may not have been answered before, but I just need short, to the point answers...nothing exhaustive 'yet' ...that will probably come during my installation.

Originally posted by Rob___:

1) There is a spring/strut how to article in the article section of this site and there is supposidly an "Ausie how-to" which I can't find. Anyone know where this is or if there is another how-to with pictures?

This is mine: http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=picsvids&Number=998447

but yeah, I think there's another, somewhere. It's pretty easy, in any case.

Quote:

2) Also, I am putting the BAT Euro kit on...do I need a camber kit? ...I don't think I do.

The camber kit is nice, but whether it's needed or not depends on how much camber you had from the factory. You should be fine with the BAT kit if you're okay now.

Quote:

3) And what is adjusting TOE?

toe is adjusting the tires to point in or out when viewed from above. Toe out is when the fronts of the tires point away from each other, and toe-in is when they point towards each other. This has a big effect on tire wear and transient handling. Toe-out will make the car darty but very responsive, toe-in will make the car stable but sluggish, and very much toe either way will cause bad wear. 1/8" out is a good setting, IMO, for the front, and most people run 0 toe in the rear.

Quote:

4) With the BAT kit...since I am not using the old springs do I even need a spring compressor? Do I use this thing to either put in/take out the old suspension?

I beleive the BAT kit uses your old bumpstops and strut hats, in which case you need to take apart the old strut/spring assembly to get them off, and then put the new assembly together.

Thanks Philip,

I really am doubting whether or not to do this myself. As I've said previously in this forum...I've done the alternator replacement...but it didn't require any special tools...just some brute force and time.

Well, I'll have to think about it.

Rob

This is pretty simple. Air tools help a lot, especially on a rusted car. But you can do it all with hand tools, and I have. It's all pretty straightforward: unbolt accessories from the strut, remove the bolt holding in the bottom, knock the knuckle off, and then pull it out. Installation is the reverse. It's a bit time-consuming, but it's not hard or tricky like engine/transaxle work can be.

I have air tools...but I'm more concerned with the spring compressor and such...not sure about em as I've never had to use them before.

That's the only specialty tool, and they're easy. It's just a couple threaded rods that clamp the springs tight. I'd never touched one before, and there was no learning curve. See?

Just put them on the spring, and crank it tight. Nothing to it.

Hmm...well that looks simple enough.

You may have restored my faith

Hmmm ... what ever happened to Stazi's spring install How-To ?? It's a GREAT write-up that I've used several times . Makes it a pretty easy & painless job .

Yes! Yes! I have heard people refer to it but CAN'T FIND IT! I thought it was a myth!

Please, someone tell me where to find it!

Rob

This one

:

http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=22

Not sure if this is it, I have a feeling that this is the one you were talking about in your original post. No pictures but as said it is very well written. I used it for my BAT install and it went smoothly, Stazi did a great job putting the how-to together. If you have basic mechanical knowledge you should be able to do the install without any problems.

Also, maybe look into getting a Ford service CD it has pictures (not great ones) that may help as well.

Yup , kipsvt - that's the one

. I did a quick look for it to post the link , but must've overlooked it

Oh ok. That's the one?

I found that on the weekend

Well, that's good then, I thought it was lost. If it's the best how-to then I'm happy!

Rob

Originally posted by Rob___:
Oh ok. That's the one?

I found that on the weekend Well, that's good then, I thought it was lost. If it's the best how-to then I'm happy!

Rob

I used it over this past weekend and it was extremely helpful. Even has the bolt sizes listed and some really great suggestions in there on how to save time!

Originally posted by Rob___:
Thanks Philip,

I really am doubting whether or not to do this myself. As I've said previously in this forum...I've done the alternator replacement...but it didn't require any special tools...just some brute force and time.

Well, I'll have to think about it.

Rob

Rob, this was my first mod I did to my car. Follow the how-to, and it's not bad at all. Nowhere near as bad as the alternator. BTW, autozone will "rent" out spring compressors if there is one by you. It's definately worth doing this job yourself, my local PepBoys wanted $75 for the fronts, and $200 for the rears to install, NOT including the struts/springs.

I used the $ I saved to order the upgraded suspension in the form of the BAT kit. Great investment.

I wish Mapoftazifosho would post his Suspension how to.

Its GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRReat!