Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension How much time for install?

I printed the How-To for struts/springs. I have never done it before, nor has the person who will be helping me (my brother). How much time should I set aside for this? I can follow directions fine, which makes me think I would be okay. And I have somewhat of a knowledge base for this, with plenty of people I could call to ask questions to, so I'm not too worried about anything other than time.

The first time I had my front end apart for springs, it took me and my buddy about 8 hours to get everything apart, and back in and ready to drive. This is just for the front, and we had never done anything on front wheel drive suspension before. I just had it apart last weekend, and between stopping for lunch and running to the parts store to get a spring compressor i thought i could do without, it took about 5 hours. That was by myself. The night before spray everything down with PB Blaster or WD40, it will help a lot. Also spray around the base of the strut where it goes into the knuckle. Be careful not to pull the axle shafts out too far, or you'll be replacing inner CV boots like I am doing Saturday. Also take care when removing the lower control arm from the knuckle or you'll tear the ball joint boot. Watch out for those strut bearings also, they come apart pretty easy.

Alright, anyone in the SEMI area wanna make $100? Now I'm scared of breaking something.

I paid the shop only $160 to do all 4 and re-set the toe.

You should be able to find it for less in Michigan as the cost of living is much less than here.

You would assume so. I called two places then stopped after hearing $280 and $300. The Bloomfield/Birmingham area (where I'm at) is somewhat comperable to Beverly Hills. Not quite, but close enough to make a differance.

$200 Belle Tire or whatever Staz charges.

Staz was $150 or something but he just moved so I didn't want to bother him (yet). Belle tire possibly. I need the brakes looked at too so I don't know if they can do that.

It's really a pretty easy job as long as you have the right tools. Each rear side should take an hour max, even if it's your first time. The front can be tricky, if all goes well for you, then each side can be done in an hour or less as well, though it took us 2 hours to figure out one side. The second time we worked on my suspension, I did the rear at home, but had a friend help/do it for me at the local tech school. He did it differently than the how-to (he is a honda tech and did it the honda way) which made it take forever and we actually had to leave the car there overnight. It really isn't hard, just follow the how-to, have good tools (most importantly a very long pry bar), and don't get frustrated.

Hour max per rear side
1.5-2 hours for the fronts. Its alot easierthen what some people make it out to be. All you really need are a good set of spring compressors. They make or break the job.