In that case I'll probably do it myself. Thanks for the advice.

 

installing shocks and springs is probably 2-2.5 hours of labor per side. to do all the control arms would be another 2 hours per side, plus alignment. if you want to do it yourself it might take a bit longer but its really not that hard to do, its just a matter of putting everything together. getting the old bolts off is what takes the longest.

 

So, basic tools (sockets, wrenches, etc.), jack stands, breaker bar, PB Blaster, anything else other than two or three days of free time? Would it be safe to drive the car a couple miles to the place to get an alignment?

 

and a hammer. even if you havnt done the job before it shouldnt take you more then one full day for both fronts. the back is even easier, probably 2 hours a side if you havnt done it before. the pinch bolt holding the upper two arms in is what gives everyone problems, its a stupid design and gets pretty annoying to remove after years. soak it in PB blaster overnight and try to remove that bolt first. that way if you cant get it and need to take it to a garage you dont have to reassemble the rest. play it safe and have a set of replacement bolts just in case you deform any trying to get them out. i broke both my pinch bolts in half. and yes you can drive around without an alignment, just the more you do the more you eat up your tires.

 

^+1 on everything. Plan on using the full weekend. If you get done early consider it a present, if you try to set a deadline, and you miss it you'll only get upset and might start rushing things.

The fronts are a pain in the ***. The pinch bolt is a bastard. There are multiple was of taking care if it, many have been documented on AF. After all the work I put into the pinch bolt, I ended up taking the shocks and springs to a shop to get pressed, it was just easier that way.

The other thing, check anything else that goes wrong with the car as long as you have everything apart. After doing mine, I found the front bearings were starting to go. It was extra work, but better to do it now when everything is off than having to do it later.

 

if you lower your car a significant amount, you they won't be able to align it to factory spec. otherwise just don't tell them you lowered your car lol. ya i have the lifetime from firestone and i'm gonna get mine aligned when i fix my bushings.

 

Hahaha, I took those pinch bolts out a few days ago to do my axles. It was a total PITA. PB Blaster and my 12" breaker bar wouldn't do it, I had to go to Autozone and rent their 24 incher.

What are some of the better complete suspension kits? Are there any for all front and rear control arms? Any of them include racing springs and struts? What are the best places to find these things?

 

Sterling sucks doesn't it? HAHA. Funny you should ask that though, I just got a new place in Falls Church, I better change that lol.

 

It didn't seem all that bad from where I was, then again I was only there for about 9 hours.