Installing Coils as an amateur :(
#16
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ThatOneDude (08-20-2011)
#17
You should be fine. I've ripped my G's suspension apart plenty of times. The first time is always the hardest. You'll probably spend double time the first then any of the following times. A lot of trial and error, but in the end you should be okay. As others have stated: make sure you have some PB blaster, a good breaker bar, a ft-lb torque wrench, a good set of sockets, an impact gun helps... Oh, and plenty of beer. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. I consider myself semi-pro at suspension work on the G at this point.
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ThatOneDude (08-20-2011)
#18
No idea what PB blaster is but I'll fix that with google in a sec. I am alcohol free >______> This is planned for Wednesday night or Thursday night, so plenty of time for more research and ****. Also plenty of time for all you bastards to get some free thumbs! xd
Going to go through all my toys and see if I have a socket for each recommended size tonight...
Going to go through all my toys and see if I have a socket for each recommended size tonight...
#19
No idea what PB blaster is but I'll fix that with google in a sec. I am alcohol free >______> This is planned for Wednesday night or Thursday night, so plenty of time for more research and ****. Also plenty of time for all you bastards to get some free thumbs! xd
Going to go through all my toys and see if I have a socket for each recommended size tonight...
Going to go through all my toys and see if I have a socket for each recommended size tonight...
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ThatOneDude (08-20-2011)
#20
Yeeeeap. Not worried about finding it, just not sure what I have or what my dad has, so I need to check, and then I can take some things from work (not stealing of course) the next day since there are a lot of tools there as well. Probably won't need to buy anything, except peanutbutter blaster and uhh... impact gun? Not entirely sure of that either.
#21
An impact gun would make it a lot easier to break a few of the nuts loose. Beyond that it's not that bad. I have swapped my suspension a few times and on a few friends cars. All but once it went smoothly, we had to take a friends car down to a local shop to get a few nuts loose.
I skimmed through the posts as I scrolled down so sorry if I am being redundant. If you are doing this on Wed. I would go out a few days prior and spray the nuts with PB blaster (similar tro WD-40).
+1 on the laptop, It has come in handy a few times.
Breaker bar and 1/2 drive/sockets.
and you have a friend coming over. It should go pretty smoothly.
I skimmed through the posts as I scrolled down so sorry if I am being redundant. If you are doing this on Wed. I would go out a few days prior and spray the nuts with PB blaster (similar tro WD-40).
+1 on the laptop, It has come in handy a few times.
Breaker bar and 1/2 drive/sockets.
and you have a friend coming over. It should go pretty smoothly.
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ThatOneDude (08-20-2011)
#22
PB blaster is a penetrating oil/lubricant. it's "like" WD-40 only....not. old school looking writing on the can, yellow lid. it is the good stuff. don't try to save a dollar and go with Uncle Petey's Super Brand Oil of Cheapness.
and if you are using an impact...make sure you are using impact sockets. they are usually black.
OEM lugs are 13/16ths. if you wanna use your OEM lug nut wrench it's ok...but 1. your hand will hate you for the rest of the day. 2. you won't be able to torque them back to spec. 80 ft/lbs.
the best thing i found with my OEM rays was a 3/8 drive torque wrench, 6in extension, and a 13/16th deep well spark plug socket. the spark plug socket has the little rubber thing in there so you don't ding up your lugs, and they don't fall way into the socket. if you don't get the extension, you will hit the wheels. i got the stuff at harbor freight, bout 40 bucks, if that.
and if you are using an impact...make sure you are using impact sockets. they are usually black.
OEM lugs are 13/16ths. if you wanna use your OEM lug nut wrench it's ok...but 1. your hand will hate you for the rest of the day. 2. you won't be able to torque them back to spec. 80 ft/lbs.
the best thing i found with my OEM rays was a 3/8 drive torque wrench, 6in extension, and a 13/16th deep well spark plug socket. the spark plug socket has the little rubber thing in there so you don't ding up your lugs, and they don't fall way into the socket. if you don't get the extension, you will hit the wheels. i got the stuff at harbor freight, bout 40 bucks, if that.
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#23
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#24
also, tape up your fender with the blue masking tape so you don't scratch it up when you are trying to get the strut out.
one thing i missed when i was doing mine was that you actually take the endlink bolt out of the hole. i just thought you had to take the nut off....why i thought that...i dunno, but i'm just trying to remember everything i got stuck on to help you out.
one thing i missed when i was doing mine was that you actually take the endlink bolt out of the hole. i just thought you had to take the nut off....why i thought that...i dunno, but i'm just trying to remember everything i got stuck on to help you out.
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#25
haha no....My last car was a lexus and I did most of the modding work myself, very easy to work on compared to the G. It's just that the G you need to take the time to take out parts that are in the way of whatever you really want to take out.
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#26
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#27
#28
i installed my coilovers all alone in the driveway with a pair of jackstands/oem jack(which i used to compress the front a arm instead of removing it to get the shock/spring out) a floor hydraulic jack..a set of ratcheting wrenches from harbor freight($13)..a socket set and an electric impact gun from HF for $40..and i had never worked on any cars suspension before that...the electric impact gun is a good investment for this kinda thing and its not pricey cause without it i couldnt have gotten the bottom bolts loose from the shocks.
you'll do just fine! just be careful and take your time. took me 5 hours with a few breaks being the first time i had ever worked on it..now i can have all 4 corners apart and adjust height in 2
you'll do just fine! just be careful and take your time. took me 5 hours with a few breaks being the first time i had ever worked on it..now i can have all 4 corners apart and adjust height in 2
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ThatOneDude (08-21-2011)
#29
Good luck and let us know how it went. I installed the same coilovers myself two years ago or so and it was also my first time. Nothing really difficult like others have mentioned other than some tight nuts. Only tips I can give you as an owner of the Pro5 is, do maximum drop all around and if you are planning to get the TEAS then do it now and install it at the same time. It's a very worthwhile investment if you DD your car.
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ThatOneDude (08-22-2011)
#30
My G is my DD (and my ONLY car xd), so I guess that makes the TEAS perfect for me? o.o. I'll look into it a great deal (excessive research) tonight since I have the install planned for Wednesday or Thursday night; Don't wanna delay it any more unless TEAS is a good enough reason. I'm too excited. xd
Thanks; more tips welcome!
Thanks; more tips welcome!