Strut install DIY Question

[nozzano22]

So I have ordered up my new Eibachs and Tokico's and want to save some money by installing them myself.

If I take the struts and springs (fronts) down to a local shop and have them put them together, then when I take them home it seems that it would be a pretty simple bolt on installation (with the additoin of the one special tool), right?

Everywhere I have called wants from $200 to $300 for an install, so I am thinking a fast $40 cash for one of these shops to put the springs and struts together, then a few hours at home doing it myself,

Have I missed anything?

Mike

[quicksilverdon]

I would think you would need an alignment - is that included in the higher price quotes?

[RallyDRock]

if you use the spare tire donut on top of the upper strut bearing you can push down and compress the spring and shock enough that a helper can thread the big nut on by hand and its all done in less time than it would have take for you to put the springs and shocks in your car to bring to the shop.

just stand the strut up on the grass, put the spring on it, place the upper strut bearing on, then the donut. press down with all of your weight and presto. woorks well for lowering springs because of the shorter height, would be more difficult to do this with stock springs. if you still have stock tires dont even bother getting an alignment. wait until its time for new rubber then just have camber and toe checked out (front only) those are really the only adjustable alignment specs on the PT.

[budrzgt]

hi nozzano22

yes you can do this your self but you will need a set of upper strut mounts to assy. the strut off the car. if you try to remove the ones on the car be very carfull!!! do not remove the large nut in the middle with out some way to secure the spring!! if you email tommy he has the best price for the mounts. as for the alignment i would do this right after the install because the struts you have, have a slotted hole in the lower mount for camber adjustment. if this is not set to specs. then the toe is out to which could make the car unstable in turns. and cause rapid tire wear. BUD

[slartyblarfast]

I don't know where you are located but if you are close to the Dallas Ft. Worth area I a deal for $100 for install and alignment. I work at a 5 star Dodge dealership so it's not like I'm working under the shade tree in my back yard. This is done through the dealership and we can handle all service and warranty needs.
Thanks!

[JohnM]

Slarty - I'm in Dallas, and I'm planning on coming to you for that deal if the Mopar Stage 1 springs I ordered would ever get here. They were on backorder from the git-go.

[slartyblarfast]

Cool! Bring it on! I hear ya about the springs though. Love how DC does that. Gets ya all excited then makes ya wait forever!!

[Cal Cruzer]

DO NOT TRY TO DISASSEMBLE THE FRONT STRUT WITHOUT THE PROPER SPRING COMPRESSOR AND ASSORTED TOOLS!

The spring is under a lot of tension when mounted. If you take the center nut off the spring will launch off the the strut and could litteraly take a good portion of your head with it. Just invest in the right tools...please. Get a shop manual so you know what you are doing. Getting the center nut off and on without an impact wrench is a pain because the shaft wants to spin with it. I won't go into the full procedure, just do your due diligence and be prepared. Please be carefull.

[nozzano22]

thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I do have the service manual, and have a friend to help that has done this before. I may still look to remove the entire strut assembly, and look to have a shop disasemble and reasemble the springs and struts, or I will be cautious and use a spring compressor.

Will post after next weekend to let everyone know how it goes,

Mike

[PTRobert]

quote:Originally posted by slartyblarfast

I don't know where you are located but if you are close to the Dallas Ft. Worth area I a deal for $100 for install and alignment. I work at a 5 star Dodge dealership so it's not like I'm working under the shade tree in my back yard. This is done through the dealership and we can handle all service and warranty needs.
Thanks!

Will you install springs only, or do I need to replace the shocks, too? I just moved to Dallas and am looking for shops to have work done on my PT.

Thanks.