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Old 07-09-2008, 06:15 AM   #3 (permalink)
joe_padavano
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
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You will need an internal spring compressor for the front springs. The springs have different ends (one end ground flat, one not). The flat end goes up. There is a spring pocket inside the frame and the top end of the spring needs to be properly centered on this spring pocket. This is tough to do because it's a blind installation. Also, on the bottom, the lower control arm has a formed pocket. The bottom end of the spring needs to be oriented correctly in this pocket. The Chassis Service Manual has illustrations of this. You'll want a CSM to get the proper torque specs for the suspension bolts.

The other trick is that you must not torque the suspension bolts until the weight of the car is on the suspension. Torquing the bolds locks the rubber suspension bushings in at a certain suspension height and if you do this with the suspension at full drop (which is what happens if the car is jacked up under the frame) then the car will sit too high.
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Joe Padavano

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