anyone know if this is a hard procedure. any tips? things i should look out for?

Putting the struts and springs together is the hardest part. The rest can be done in about an hour. It's a pretty easy job, if all the bolts come loose easy.

A re-alignment would be a good idea after you replace your struts (front).

The upper spring perch assembly is not symmetrical. You'll see the information in the FSM...you do have the FSM, right?

I had to use a jack under the right rear to get the hub up to a position where the strut ears would slide on. All the others went on just fine hanging at full droop. This, of course, means I attached the struts to the body, first.

You'll need a STRUT SPRING COMPRESSOR. Rent them from any autoparts store for just the cost of deposit.

Originally posted by Slartibartfast
The upper spring perch assembly is not symmetrical. You'll see the information in the FSM...you do have the FSM, right?

That's a great point. If memory serves. there are arrows on both parts of the upper mount, and they need to point to the outside of the car.

Chris

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chriscar
[B]

That's a great point. If memory serves. there are arrows on both parts of the upper mount, and they need to point to the outside of the car.

You are correct sir!

Originally posted by aztecred92
A re-alignment would be a good idea after you replace your struts (front).

Actually, if you don't remove the tie rods, you don't have to an alignment. The tie rods are what hold the alignment on our cars together. If you have camber/caster plates, then ya, you need an alignment. But if you're doing stock struts to aftermarket struts, you shouldn't need it (w/ the tie rod connected)

Ben

Re: post strut installation alignment

The operative word here is "shoudn't".

Chris, why'd you spill the beans?! I was attempting coerce the man into buying a FSM. If you're gonna work on your car, you REALLY should have it.

Originally posted by Slartibartfast
Chris, why'd you spill the beans?! I was attempting coerce the man into buying a FSM. If you're gonna work on your car, you REALLY should have it.

Damnit Bruce!!! I had a feeling you had some nefarious reasoning there. I should have gone with my first instinct, but the urge to help my SR20DE bretheren won out. ;)

Chris