Paulford8 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Ordered springs today and will put them in myself. Is it all easy and straight forward? I have changed many struts but have always done so as an entire assembly. Also when/did you get an alignment? Did you try to let them settle? Get one right away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash712us Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 I did, it was a bit of pain. All joint like tie rod end ball joints must be a low friction design must hold shaft while loosening. And beside the strut side into the steering knuckle so have do a lot more tear down. I did alignment right away, however plan to have my alignment rechecked soon. Also find the thread about this you may want to order up so cam bolts for the rear also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I did' date=' it was a bit of pain. All joint like tie rod end ball joints must be a low friction design must hold shaft while loosening. And beside the strut side into the steering knuckle so have do a lot more tear down. I did alignment right away, however plan to have my alignment rechecked soon. Also find the thread about this you may want to order up so cam bolts for the rear also.[/quote'] I was all hot to do this after work one night next week and run again at the track next Friday. Think I will plan on running at the track as is..... I will wait until I have more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve o Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I did my own, it's straight forward and there is a how to on the forum here as well. Wheel alignment should be done immediately. Make sure you torque your axle nuts up with the wheel off the ground, 258 lbs/ft and Ford says you should have new axle nuts too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I did my own' date=' it's straight forward and there is a how to on the forum here as well. Wheel alignment should be done immediately. Make sure you torque your axle nuts up with the wheel off the ground, 258 lbs/ft and Ford says you should have new axle nuts too.[/quote'] How long did it take you? I know I can do it, I have replaced many struts.... It just usually takes me a few hours and who knows that will go wrong. If i would have ordered the springs sooner I could do it this weekend. But the ETA is Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 I did my own' date=' it's straight forward and there is a how to on the forum here as well. Wheel alignment should be done immediately. Make sure you torque your axle nuts up with the wheel off the ground, 258 lbs/ft and Ford says you should have new axle nuts too.[/quote'] My torque wrench at home doesnt go that high..... I will have to set up a wrench at work to borrow and probably buy a 3/4 drive socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojomofo21 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Did mine with no lift in about 3-4 hours. With a lift it would have for a lot faster. The back is cake. The front is a pain in the ass!!! Had to drop the shocks from the struts and use a spring compressor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Did mine with no lift in about 3-4 hours. With a lift it would have for a lot faster. The back is cake. The front is a pain in the ass!!! Had to drop the shocks from the struts and use a spring compressor. Did you have to take the driveshaft nut off like Steve O did? I looked at them and you would think you could get the strut off without. Just not enough room to pull them out? I borrowed a spring compresser. I hate the things, make me nervous but no way I want pay somebody to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojomofo21 Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Nope. Simply dropped the arms and the rear springs fell right out. Took 30 mins to do the rear. The rest was for the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcoBrick Bob Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 An issue my installer had on the front of my Flex, was the caliper & Rotor fell to the ground when the bolts were removed. This broke one of the ABS sensors, and he had to order one in. Said that usually you have to pry them off vs them being that loose. On the other side he supported everything when he removed bolts and all was fine. As mentioned above.... rears were easy... Fronts took most of the time. Since the car sat for a couple days waiting for the ABS sensor, the springs settled in, and Flex was aligned just before I picked it up. Definitely need an alignment within a couple days of install, like within 100 mi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve o Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 It took me a few hours as well. EcoBrick Bob is right about the sensors so unbolt it from the hub and move it out of harms way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got5onIt Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 Rears were easy, fronts were a pita. My DIY for the install is stickied in this forum. It might help you a little bit. If you ever plan on painting your calipers, this would be a great time to do so while you're in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 Rears were easy, fronts were a pita. My DIY for the install is stickied in this forum. It might help you a little bit. If you ever plan on painting your calipers, this would be a great time to do so while you're in there. Actually in my searching I found yours on the Taurus Club forum a couple days ago. Very nice write up / good pics. Thanks for doing it, gave me a pretty good idea. Doesnt look to bad but I am still chicken in regards to doing it during the week. I will pick a weekend and make an alignment appointment the Monday after. Hopefully it goes smooth... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 Rears were easy, fronts were a pita. My DIY for the install is stickied in this forum. It might help you a little bit. If you ever plan on painting your calipers, this would be a great time to do so while you're in there. yeah and I see it here too now, not sure how I missed it first time. I actually printed it out and will use it as a sorta guide when I do it. Hopefully my alignment place doesnt have any issues with it when I am done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLIP-4-SHO Posted June 17, 2012 Report Share Posted June 17, 2012 I used it too. The second time around. Just don't forget to torque 258 with car in the air and new nuts. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got5onIt Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 I used it too. The second time around. Just don't forget to torque 258 with car in the air and new nuts. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 I will make an update to it and add that. That's good information I didn't have at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted June 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 You guys must be good, I havent been timing but I want to say 2 hours in right now. I have 1 front strut off with the spring compressor cranked down a bit. Decided to take a brake as I had a hell of time getting some of the nuts off. I may not even finish this tonight.... After I get this front locked up I may go to the rear, get them in and re-position for tomorrow (passenger side is against a wall right now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got5onIt Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 The rears will be cake, I promise you .You did the right thing tackling the front first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted July 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 The rears will be cake' date=' I promise you .You did the right thing tackling the front first.[/quote'] 2nd side went faster. Both fronts had the same problem, the nut on the lower ball joint on the control arm. Would NOT come off and would NOT go back on. Finished this morning and accomplished all goals. 1. no rattle/clunking/noises while driving. 2. No ABS light 3. Stops better (put new front brakes on) 3. I can feel a difference. Alignment doesnt feel all that bad. I think I will drive the 24 mile round trip to work and back tomorrow to try and settle the springs before my afternoon alignment appointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjht Posted July 1, 2012 Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 Which springs did you go with? Post some pics when you get a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Which springs did you go with? Post some pics when you get a chance. I went with the Eibachs. The H&R's sound great but the drop is just to much for me. It looks good, getting ready to leave for the alignment right now. Taking the ramp to work, and even just driving I can tell a difference. Will be interested to see if they do anything for my ET at the 1/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjht Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I went with the Eibachs. The H&R's sound great but the drop is just to much for me. It looks good' date=' getting ready to leave for the alignment right now. Taking the ramp to work, and even just driving I can tell a difference. Will be interested to see if they do anything for my ET at the 1/4.[/quote'] This is my dilemma as well. I love the way the H&Rs look but think its a little too much drop for me. I can't wait to see some pics, especially since you don't seem to see as many with the Ebachs vs the H&Rs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulford8 Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 This is my dilemma as well. I love the way the H&Rs look but think its a little too much drop for me. I can't wait to see some pics' date=' especially since you don't seem to see as many with the Ebachs vs the H&Rs.[/quote'] Maybe today but dont know if I will have a chance to wash it, and it has to go to the Ford dealer this afternoon. That sunshade in the back just popped up on its own and wont stay down. I cant wait on it cause I have 35K.... Blast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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