Suspension DIY? Worth it?
 

Is the suspension really as intimidating as it looks to swap? Would you do it again,if you have done it? How long should it take,for a novice?

Does anyone know where I can get a ball joint separator and spring compressor from?

study the information that is out there. jack up the car , take a wheel off and take a good look at every thing before hand. i got everything i needed from harbor freight for short money. i'm doing the full ROW m030 next weekend.

Once you have all your tools together figure around 8 hrs for your first time on this job plus any unexpected surprises along the way. If you have done a few it will go quicker. It's not terribly difficult if you are skilled with a wrench.

This is the kind of job that's always better with a buddy.

You can borrow a spring compressor from any auto parts store. The first time you do it is kind of nerve racking. It gets better when you get more confidence in the tool.

i've noticed a couple 'do it yourself-ers' have said they would not 'DIY' if they had it to do over again.
since it's gonna need an alignment anyway afterwards, i'm taking mine to the shop and let the pros do it.
too much to go wrong and beyond my comfort level without a lift.

A self-described novice won't be doing this job (properly) in 8 hrs. Someone with experience and extensive tools including power tools and lift, maybe.

I've been following this post closely. Understand that its probably not for a newbie.

But what about someone who has done all of the maintanence, has a decent set of tools (might need a few new ones but that isn't an issue) and would have to do it on jackstands? You know, typical driveway mechanic.

Doable? Possible but not worth the pain? Or too hard?

Make sure you have the tools, grab a buddy and make a day of it. Not that big of a deal. Just get an alignment afterwards and you're good.

It really isn't that hard. I did mine on jack stands.

started my R.O.W. install today in 97 degree heat . enlisted my ricer brother inlaw (photo) . took the whole front apart in two hours including sway bar. no problems at all yet. i do not have my upper strut replacement parts yet but if i did anther 1.5 hours to put back together. the key is having tools and a second set of hands. Ball joint separator and the pneumatic wrench makes things go quick. pop the tie rod it makes removal a snap.

This DIY might be of interest:

http://gwl.rmsolo.org/hacks/suspension/

It's time consuming, but it's not bad. If you're in the "moderately experienced" range, you'll be a better mechanic once you've completed the job. The fronts are considerably easier than the rears.

the amount of work is huge. However it is nothing more than a bunch of bolts. Not hard at all.

Look at this way, you are paying yourself 120$ a hour to DIY. When I did my springs, it took all of 9 hours.
Parts 225, labor 1000$. Its pretty hard not to do it yourself.

I **************** you not. I paid $200 to have a shop do the rear of my car for a metallic sound coming from the top of the shocks. Every other shop in town wanted $500+ for labor,I was told it's 5.2 hours of labor by the books. Believe this if you want or not,they took the struts out,tightened the nuts on top of the shock tower and got it aligned for $280...took him 2.5 hours. I've seen Kirk Bristol do front and rears in 6 hour,maybe a little less,closer to 5 I think.

Larry Warren of Warren Brakes and Suspension
http://www.warrenbrake.com/Warren_Brake_and_Suspension/Welcome.html

Amazing! The cars alignment hasn't been better and he eliminated the rattle coming from the top of the shock tower.