Changing Front suspenion

Hi all,
        Today bought all new parts for the front end, shocks, springs, tie-rod ends, top mounts, wishbones plus kits, Botom ball joints, vented disc and pads


Wanted to know how easy is it to remove the shock from the original leg in order to replace with the new ones.
Plus will i have to have the camber reset, i am using standard suspenion as i feel it is more smoother ride and no 1mph over speed bumps etc
Was planning on work tomorrow if weather holds off :wink:
Best wishes

Where did you go for your parts? I am contemplating changing my suspension front & rear but keep it standard too.

Any idea of cost? (If I'm not being rude  ops: )

Ta, Dan

Dano said

Where did you go for your parts? I am contemplating changing my suspension front & rear but keep it standard too.

Any idea of cost? (If I'm not being rude  ops: )

Ta, Dan

Rude of course not fella,
                                  I have already replaced the rear suspension, so time i get this done before respray.
full lot came to ?234, i get all parts from GSF in swinton, if you phone ask to speak to Shaun, really top bloke, help you with everything apart from actually fitting parts lol
Best wishes bud :wink:

P.s. still help a regards to strut shocker removal etc lol

Peddersgolf said

i get all parts from GSF in swinton, if you phone ask to speak to Shaun, really top bloke, help you with everything apart from actually fitting parts lol

Hmmm, I might have to try this one cos GSF trafford park is pretty unhelpful.  In same boat as you Pedders got to change my front top mounts as they are about to burst!

Your car should feel beauty to drive with all new suspension and steering parts! 8)

In theory the bottom bolts on the struts, should just unbolt and bolt up again. Considering how much you're going to replace, I'd buy new bolts though. When I took mine off, I managed to snap one of these bolts, which takes some considerable force to do!

Dano, I'd repaint the existing suspension, rather than replace it, unless your wishbones are distorted. Fair enough to fit new shocks and springs, you can't really expect to wire brush the old springs then expect them to be the same!

You will need to reset the camber as you are releasing both the ball joint and strut.

You will also need spring compressors to mount an original spring onto the strut due to its length.

If you are fitting new shocks/springs you may as well fit new top mounts as the bearings don't last for ever.

dubboy said

You will need to reset the camber as you are releasing both the ball joint and strut.

You will also need spring compressors to mount an original spring onto the strut due to its length.

If you are fitting new shocks/springs you may as well fit new top mounts as the bearings don't last for ever.

Cheers dubboy,
                       i have the tools for the work, where can i get the camber reset and how much does it roughly cost bud :wink:

www.frost.co.uk do it - I think it's ?24.99, some one posted link the other day, apparently a cracking tool!

You can use the Frost tool (never done it myself, but I assume it does not do tracking) or ring round some decent tyre fitters / performance centres and ask if they do camber as well as tracking. You are looking at ?50 - ?60 for both.

You'll probably need a bodyshop for the camber as I've checked around everywhere in the Stockport area and the nearest place was a bodyshop in Macclesfield! :wink:

paul_c said

Dano, I'd repaint the existing suspension, rather than replace it, unless your wishbones are distorted. Fair enough to fit new shocks and springs, you can't really expect to wire brush the old springs then expect them to be the same!

What ? !

Dan

Dano said

paul_c said

Dano, I'd repaint the existing suspension, rather than replace it, unless your wishbones are distorted. Fair enough to fit new shocks and springs, you can't really expect to wire brush the old springs then expect them to be the same!

What ? !

Dan

Instead of buying all new bits, dismantle the existing suspension and clean up with wire brush, then have powder-coated or repaint, the existing parts, except the actual springs, shocks, top mounts and bushes. There are lots of little brackets, ARB, etc and its cheaper to refurbish than replace. And the car stays a little more 'original' too.

A problem has cropped up with it being a Sa import, i have posted in the wanted section, really need parts if anyone can help