LA guys: Please help me with my suspension

[Sellick]

I've got my front Bilstiens and lowering springs for all four corners WAITING to go on to my car and don't have a good place to do the work, or the appropriate tools for compressing the front spring and removing the strut. I live in Culver City, would anyone in the area be willing to do me a favor and help me out? Would be willing to pay some money for your time and help if you'd like! I'm a little nervous about doing the front struts as I've never removed them before and really don't know what it's going to be like on my car. Please, someone here, help a fellow legionnaire out!
Thanks guys

[Cruz]

I'm busy this weekend, but if you'd like we can shoot for the weekend of the 21st?

And do you feel like driving out to Pasadena?

[DrewDude320i]

If you still have to compress your springs to install them in the strut, you have too many coils

Plus, you don't need any special tools to tighten anything down. The only tough one is the top bolt that holds it all together - the one that screws into the shock. What I did for that was get a 1/8" extension and a (I think it was) 10mm socket, and put that through a 1/4" socket. That way, you can hold the shock still, while tightening the bolt. Since the 1/8" extension comes through the hole in the 1/4" socket, you'll need to grab the 1/4" with some vice grips.

[Sellick]

Cruz, thank you man, I appreciate your offer to help. PM'ed

Drew, haha, looks like I'll find out soon enough how short they are!

I'm slightly nervous about removing the strut from the housing, I know a number of guys have had issues with this in the past. Isn't there some special tool for this?

[DrewDude320i]

just your standard wrenches. It's pretty simple. Remove the brake rotor and tie it to something so it isn't just hanging, pop out the tie rod end (soak it in PB Blaster overnight, or you'll have to hit it REALLY hard at just the right angle, and that risks damaging the threads), remove the bolt holding the control arm to the subframe, take off the three bolts holding it to the tower, and it'll come right out.

You may have to apply pressure in certain areas to get bolts out - for example, you'll probably have to push the strut assembly in from the bottom to get the subframe/control arm bolt out. Or just stick an extension in the other end of the hole and use a hammer.

[DHoang]

Did you go with sport bilsteins or HD bilsteins ?

[OLD MAN]

If you do not mind waiting till after Thanksgiving you and Cruz can shot over to my place and the three of us can dig into it.

[mxl556]

I have tools for everything including the impact wrench for the top nut. I've done the job more times than I can remember, at least 5 times on e21's so I got the process down. Bal joint is a bitch to get out, soaking in wd40 prior to removal helps. I have a special tool for tie rod, so it's easy.
The problem is that I do not work on my cars where I live, I have to use my family's garage, so it's usually couple hours a week mondays ( my car repair day is monday). I'm by John Wayne airport. If you want to come by some monday we can schedule a day and swap the suspension. Just PM me.

Max

[Sellick]

DHoang, I got sports . Actually, I'm still looking for some rear sports. I'll just run what's back there for now and throw sports in when I find a good used pair.

Old Man and Max, appreciate it. I'm waiting to hear back from Cruz. Will let you guys know.

[e21brute]

So, the ball-joint does not need to be removed from its socket w/a pickle fork to swap the fronts??

-brute

Originally Posted by DrewDude320i

just your standard wrenches. It's pretty simple. Remove the brake rotor and tie it to something so it isn't just hanging, pop out the tie rod end (soak it in PB Blaster overnight, or you'll have to hit it REALLY hard at just the right angle, and that risks damaging the threads), remove the bolt holding the control arm to the subframe, take off the three bolts holding it to the tower, and it'll come right out.

You may have to apply pressure in certain areas to get bolts out - for example, you'll probably have to push the strut assembly in from the bottom to get the subframe/control arm bolt out. Or just stick an extension in the other end of the hole and use a hammer.

[pommeree]

Originally Posted by e21brute

So, the ball-joint does not need to be removed from its socket w/a pickle fork to swap the fronts??

-brute

You can pull the strut and lower arm together. Much easier than trying to separate the two.

Also, I've freed the tie rod by whacking the arm on the knuckle end-on with a big hammer.

[milotrain]

I have spring compressors, and although I've never done the job on the e21 I've done it several times on the Volvo. I'm in Burbank, and on Saturday I have two friends coming over to do brake work on their MBs and I'm going to bleed the e21's brakes. If you are interested in a wrenching party come on over. I also have an impact wrench and a really long breaker bar, but no pickle fork.