Help with suspension

[84Fourdoor]

I went to my auto store today and I got 4 Monroe Monro-Matic Plus shocks. I paid $108. I was going to get the springs while I was there, but I had to order them in and they will be in on Tuesday. I plan on installing these components myself. I have a mechanically inclined friend of mine that will be along to help.

From what my Haynes manual tells me, shocks are fairly easy to replace front and back. It also seems that the rear springs are easy to replace. The front spring I am worried about trouble with. I ordered 2 spring compressors off eBay for $17.00. Anybody got any tips for removal/installation before hand?

 

[Qdub24]

Here's a link: http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=277608

I've done it by myself a few times now, as recently as 2 weeks ago.
REMOVAL (FRONT)
For the front, jack up the entire front of the car and sit it on jack stands to remove the shocks first. There only three things holding them on, one nut at the top and two screws on the bottom. Separate the balljoint on the lower A-arm from the spindle. Place a big hydraulic jack, not the small cheap one, under the lower A-arm. Swing the spindle out of the way and raise the jack just enough so that the A-arm is parallel with the ground. Remove the two bolts on the lower A-arm where it bolts to the frame, close to the engine bay. After you get them out, slowly lower your jack to bring to A-arm and spring down and out. This is also a good opportunity to replace that balljoint if necessary. Repeat these steps on the other side of the car.
INSTALL (FRONT)
Place your lower A-arm on the jack with the spring sitting in it. Raise the jack up while making sure that the springs seats appropriately and that the lower A-arms' two bolts are lined up with the frame mounting holes. Reinstall those two bolts on the lower A-arms and tighten them down. Reconnect the spindle w/the lower A-arm's balljoint and tighten it down as well. Lower the jack down and out of the way. Install the shock w/the nut at the top first and then the two screws at the bottom of the shock. Double check and make sure everything is installed properly and make certain that all of the bolts and screws are tightened down. Don't forget to insert a new cotter pin after tightening the lower A-arms' balljoint nut down.

The rear is much simpler than the front.
REMOVAL (REAR)
Jack up the rear of the car so that the springs are not compressed and sit it on jack stands. Remove the nut that holds the shock to the mount on the rear axle. Separate the shock from that mount. Remove the two screws at the top of the shock and lower the shock down and out. Place the big hydraulic jack under the axle tube on the opposite side from where you just removed the shock. Raise the jack until the spring on the side you're working on is off of its perch and you can just pull it down and out. Repeat these steps on the next side if you don't already have new springs and shocks. But if you do already have new springs, leave the jack up on that axle tube after you remove the spring...
INSTALL (REAR)
...and install the new spring. Sit the spring on it's axle perch and slowly lower the jack until it's completely off of the axle, which will raise the axle and spring into there position. Make sure that the spring is seated correctly. Install the new shock w/the two screws at the top first. Install the shock into shock mount on the axle, you may have to use the jack to get the shock mount hole to line up with the shock. After that's good to go, install the nut and washer and tighten it down. Get the jack out of the way and make sure that both top screws and and the nut at the bottom are all tightened down. Now repeat on the opposite side.

Reading all of this will probably take about just as much time as actually doing it. It gets faster and easier each time you do it.

 

[84Fourdoor]

Thanks Qdub! That helps me out. Could someone tell me what the stock ride height is of my car? How would I go about measuring my height? I want to take before and after measurements!

 

[Qdub24]

Get a tape measurer and take measurements before and after you put the new springs and shocks on. Most people measure from the ground to the center of the bottom of the fender/wheelwell.

 

[84Fourdoor]

If I were to get new bushings, what bushings would I need? Shock bushings?

 

[454cutlass]

bushings

http://www.summitracing.com/search/.../1983/Model/CUTLASS-SUPREME/?keyword=bushings

 

[84Fourdoor]

Would I need front upper along with front lower? Also would I need front upper along with front lower?

 

[84Fourdoor]

Also, is replacing the bushings a must? It sounds like a pain in the posterior....

 

[Qdub24]

It's not a must, just makes sense to do it while everything is already apart.

 

[dlo253]

I have rear A-body springs. they have less than 60k miles on them, previous owner bought em brand new to throw 22s on my cutty. Shoot me an offer if you want em, also have the front spring spacers if you want those. pics of the stance with 22s in my build thread. (link in sig)