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#394527 05/13/02 01:38 AM
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Alright, im' 17 years old, and I'm about to intall my BAT struts i just ordered on my own. I dont have the money to get the struts installed, so I decided to just install them myself, and get the allignment after. Can someone maybe give me a step to step guide to installing the struts. Also, things I should watch out for, and common mistakes. Thanks


99 Green Contour SVT (still gotta find out the number) 17'' Millie Miglia Cello, 225/45/zr17 Toyo Proxes FZ4's, True Rev, Borla, Amber removed, BAT Struts Soon: PIAA 510 fog lamps
#394528 05/13/02 02:37 AM
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I would suggest trying to team up with a CEG member or auto-knowledged friend before undertaking this...Me and a fellow CEGer installed the kit this past w/e and it took us 9 hours. You will need help getting the Hub off the CV Joint (???) and getting the strut connected to the hub...it's also helpful to have someone work on one side and the other work on the opposite side...if you do still want to try this...Good Luck to you and look around the site for a spring, strut install...there is one out there. smile


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#394529 05/13/02 02:47 AM
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First off Wthrmans is right about getting help, it is beneficial. It can be done alone, I know cause I did it alone in about 8 or 9 hours. But I was a mechanic for a while and did a lot of front end work. I'd recomend that you do one side of the car at a time, that way you have a referance for how it should look when done in case you forget. You'll need a strut spring compressor, and a BIG pry bar is helpful, like 4 or 5 feet, and a couple inches thick. Old pickup truck steering parts work nicely for this, if you don't have this, don't worry, you can still get the job done. Otherwise, check the FAQ on the main page, there should be somehting in there as I've seen a HOW-TO written up on this, and good luck, I'm sure you'll like the results, and you'll have the satisfactions of doin it yourself. BTW, I worked with no guide and didn't realize for a while that the rear struts drop out by removing 4 (i think) bolts on the inside of the fenderwell up top. Just in case you didn't know about that, maybe I can save some frustration. best of luck.


~Shawn Clone~

1999 SE Sport V6 MTX
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BAT Euro Handling kit, SCA Cold Air intake, painted dash/calipers, Elky's mesh grille, bulitt fuel door,B&M shifter, ES motor mount inserts, OMP front strut tower brace, newest mod- HPP rear strut tower brace ...coming soon, Aussie Bar
Possabilities in the works: Custom CAI, Polished stainless shifter cover plate
#394530 05/13/02 03:27 AM
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A chilton's manual is very helpful since it has simple step by step instructions, plus pictures to go along with them.

There is a How To here on the forums somewhere.

I did a strut change on a contour before and I found that using both the How-to and the Chilton manual were very helpful, since there were some steps listed in the chilton's that don't really need to be done.

A second person will definatly be a big help, since you might run into a few situations where you'll wish you had a second set of hands. Plus they can offer emotional support.

You will definately need a spring compressor since you'll need to disassemble the struts to get some parts off. What ever you do do not take the struts apart with out a compressor or you might end up real hurt since the springs have a considerable pre-load while in the strut.

Another helpful tool is some real good penetrating oil. Trust me it makes life easier.

You'll want to pick a day to do it where you can start in the morning, preferably early, and have nothing planned to do later since it might take a while like other people said. Another reason is that if you have something planned for later and the job is running long you'll have a tendency to rush and cut corners and that is never good to do. Since it can lead to mistakes or you may get careless and forget to put something together and will casue a problem down the road or worst of all you might get hurt.


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#394531 05/13/02 04:45 AM
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Well a few corrections before my advice.

First Wthermans is talking about separting the Hub from the lower control arm (Not the CV Joint)and the strut from the Hub up front.

NorMich99SE - it's just two 10mm on each side.

Wthermans and I worked on his this weekend and with us putting everything together and taking two struts back out to make sure it was done right. We were done in 9 hours. Add in the fact that I got ill for an hour (Wife gave me a virus), We broke three rachets trying to get off over tightened lug nuts (WHY didn't I see the Tire Iron SOONER!), and that we were working over night(I'm still trying to recover); I think we did a very good job.

It takes a while. At one point or another your liabal to think why the hell didn't I pay to get this done. Not to mention any cursing that will happen during the job. Make sure you understand how it works or get someone who does to help you. Make sure you have the correct tools. (Spring compressor and Tire Iron a MUST!!) While your at it I would reccommend looking over the suspension very well to see any other parts that might need replacing or are Missing! Also don't get rushed like Jsmith said. If we had Wthermans might not have made it home and that's something I don't think I could stand. Best of luck with it.


Lee Cox
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#394532 05/13/02 05:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lee:
While your at it I would reccommend looking over the suspension very well to see any other parts that might need replacing or are Missing! Also don't get rushed like Jsmith said. If we had Wthermans might not have made it home and that's something I don't think I could stand. Best of luck with it.
This is VERY important...if we had not done this, I could be facing some very large repair bills in the very near future along with a possible trip to the hospital...I'm very lucky that me and Lee did this modification so soon to me getting my car back from ford. Oh yeah 1 other piece of advice...NEVER take your car to Neill Sandler Ford in Alcoa, TN even if they pay you to have them work on your car.


1998 Contour SVT E0 Silver Frost
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#394533 05/13/02 10:46 AM
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8-9 hours sounds about right. mad


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#394534 05/23/02 02:03 AM
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I got all the time I need. I'm out of school and I have no job. I'll get some help for sure. Thanks a lot for the advice.


99 Green Contour SVT (still gotta find out the number) 17'' Millie Miglia Cello, 225/45/zr17 Toyo Proxes FZ4's, True Rev, Borla, Amber removed, BAT Struts Soon: PIAA 510 fog lamps
#394535 05/23/02 02:23 AM
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GSVT.
I'm going to be doing my struts also. Check down a bit in the suspension forum and also check the SE-CEG forums for my post..."Strut install"
Lots of great advice!
I'm just looking for someone to help me with the install!!!


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#394536 05/23/02 02:38 AM
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GSVT go to www.fordmondeo.org and look in the "How To" area. There you will find scans of the Ford Factory workshop manual for doing the front struts on a HE Mondeo (yr2000).

Should be very much the same as your SVT and will at least help with the fronts.


David

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yr 2000 silver Mondeo ST24 V6 MTX
mods: Custom alloy air intake using K&N RC-3250 air filter; Koni Sports shocks; rear 20mm Selbys sway bar; THF; EBC Greenstuff front pads, custom exhaust.
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