Walkthrough of Changing Springs?

[98GTnSC]

anyone have a walk through of changing springs at home without a lift and spring compressor? any help would be great as i just ordered some H&R Super Sports and MM CC Plates and am BROKE($)! so id like to try and save a few $ and install them myself

 

[joekd]

Here you go, all you need is a floor jack

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm

 

[cntchds]

That's the same one I used. Take your time. You will probably need to use a compressor and impact gun to get the strut nut off if it has never been off before, but otherwise, penetrating oil is your friend. Use it as liberally as you can. I would suggest doing the rear first if you have limited time, because once you put the new C/C plates on you will need to get aligned immediately, especially with the drastic drop of the SS springs.

 

[98GTnSC]

would it be ok if i used the rubber iso's that are on the car? and how much would it cost if i got someone else to install them(not counting alignment)? ima prolly try putting my CC plates in myself

 

[1bad95]

yeah you can reuse the stock isos if you want, but they may be old and dried up or cracked. very easy to do right in your drive way. did mine in just about 2 hours with a harbor freight jack and stands and maybe 3 wrenches. a shop would maybe chare $150 or so. thats what i have paid before. but never again, after trying it once i saw how easy it really is, especially on our cars

 

[1bad95]

You can go by the above link for changing spring, but you dont need to remove the strut.

-Get the car up on all 4's on stands, make sure you dont put the rear stands on the rear itself and remove all the wheels.
-The rear is easiest so i did it first. Put your jack up under the rear and just jack it up some to just to take all the weight off of hanging there. Next Unbolt the bottom shock bolts and lower the jack slowly and let the rear drop.
- Just pop out the rear springs and pop in the new ones. Some have used a pry bar here to help but i havent needed one. Once new springs and isos(if you choose to use) are put in just jack the rear up some and put the lower shock bolts back in and the rear is done.

- On the front remove the calipers and abs wires from the clips on the spindle,and remove the top bolts and bushings from the sway bar.
-Next put your jack under the LCA and jack it up some and undo the ball joint nut but not all the way. Once its loose take a hammer and hit the LCA and it should pop loose. Keep the jack up on it and remove the nut. Next slowly lower the jack down so the spring does not come flying out since it is under some pressure.
- Next pop out the spring and put the new one in place with the isos is you choose to use them and jack it all back up into place and bolt it all back together and your finished.

* Watch when lowerin the LCA for the brake dust shield. Mine caught it and ripped it some, but no biggie.


Overall very easy job. Can be done in an afternoon for someone doing it for the first time.

 

[badass98svt]

If I were you, I wouldn't install the plates then pay for the spring install. If you can handle the plates, you can do the springs. They are actually easier.

 

[1bad95]

yeah thats what i was thinking too