Install New Shocks, Struts and H&R Springs

ah good to know. I hope so too. They just called me from infinitparts saying that according to their system it's not the right part lol, and I should go with another for $44 a piece. I assured him it will work.
 
Wow, $44 a pieces now? For the peace of mind. I would go with the $44 ones. If these plastic ones fail in the near future, it will cost the labor to have them replace.

I originally bought those plastic ones using part number for my install and soon as I realize how wimpy they're, I left them out and re-use my old metal ones. I have to use the plastic ones on blueduck at the last minute because, his was all mangled out of shape. Don't ask me how it was in such a bad shape when it came out of the strut, lol.
 
hmmm, well I will probably be replacing my struts eventually so will deal with it then, and might go with coils anyways, now that I was turned to the dark side of the lowering scene :) will def take a look at my old ones too see if I even should bother with replacing the plastic ones.
 
It's a gamble with those strut bearings. Mine fell apart and I have to pickup every little bee bee, clean them, put them back together and grease them. The top and bottom of the bearing housing very easy to come apart as you're separating the strut mount and the rubber mount. Tell the your installer to be careful of separates the metal strut mount from the rubber mount if you plan on re-using your old bearings.
 
Well they were out of stock on the plastic ones anyways, a sign? So gonna go and order the metal ones instead.

For the reference if anyone is curious:
03-05 used metal ones, part number: 54325-AG000, price $44 - $56
05-07 went with plastic ones, part number: 54325-8J000, price $15 - $21

Guess will stick with the metal. The good thing about the metal is, when it starts to fail or failed, you hear the grinding noise, so you know it's done, with the plastic one, not so much.
 
Ah, forgot about those part#. You're right about the metal. The plastic, if they fail, they'll be grind down and eventually you'll hear knocking or thumping noises
 
Wow, just did this install this weekend by myself. I definitely earned my man card on this one. I did the rears Saturday and they where not bad at all. All four of those upper shock mount nuts broke free, no problem.
Sunday morning I went back to the shop to complete the fronts and immediately ran into a frozen lower strut mount bolt. After about 30 minutes of toggling between the pneumatic impact wrench and the breaker bar, i gave up and had to come back later due to plans. I coated it in more PB and prayed. Came back, finally broke free. THANK GOD. Both of the lower strut mount bolts on the left side only were pretty rusted up, i think i may replace those bolts sooner than later just to be sure they dont become an issue.
I immediately went around to the other side to ensure that those two bolts were removable from that side before i finished the first side. They both broke free no problem. So i finished the first side. Got around to the other side and found that both of the stabilizer link arms nuts where completely rusted onto the bolt/ball joint. Long story short, and cutting torch and an angle grinder later, the stabilizer bar is free from the sway bar, and i was able to finish up.

Took much longer than expected, mostly because I was scared to do any serious/permanent damage to the FX. As well as the two frozen bolt issues i ran into.

All in all, even though it took the better half of the weekend to finish, I am very glad i did this myself and saved the $650-$1100 in estimates i received.:eek.:

Awesome write up. Thank you.:good:

BTW, those two piece spring compressors from AutoZone are totally fine. Just grease up the threads and use a cordless drill. My Craftsman 19.2V LiIon made the springs no big deal.
 
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Thanks man.

I am curious though, does anyone know exactly how important that orange/reddish gasket at the top of the strut tower is? I realized i forgot to put it back on right after the wheel was back on. I didnt have the energy or the time to take it all back apart and put it in. So now i have one missing. What are the repercussions of my mistake?
 
Does anyone have any ideas on this? I am guessing this gasket prevents rust and/or rubbing/noise from forming.
Any idea on how detrimental this could be?

Thanks.
 
As you said, that orange/brown gasket is only for preventing metal to metal rubbing noise if any. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
Thats good to hear. Now that its lower, the tucked stocked wheels are much more apparent. Now I think i want spacers to flush up the tires.

:eyeroll: just never ends.
 
Andrew, it's not hard. John put together a very detailed DIY here. Just take your time and follow step by step you'll do just fine. If you're uncomfortable working with the front springs, find a shop in advance so that they will take the front springs/struts apart for you when you got it off the car.
 
Wel i finally decided to do the rears this weekend. wasnt too bad thanks to this DIY thread! i only had 1 issue which was a nut was rusted on pretty good and while loosening it, it felt like it was gonna snap (it didn't tho). Now i need to figure out the fronts. ( looks like its not too bad. just need a spring compressor).
 
the spring compressor isnt that scary really. i had to use the two separate screws version from Autozone. just grease the threads and use your cordless drill/driver to slowly crank each side down 1/2" at a time. at least thats what i did. made it pretty quick.
the worst part, besides the frozen bolts, was getting the top of the strut aligned properly to slide into the three holes. I was by myself, so i had to put it up in there, hold it with one hand, try to set it into the holes, didnt line up, take it back out, tweek/rotate it a little, try it again, repeat, repeat, until it finally lined up.
that was exhausting.
 
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