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hesster · 03-01-2016, 01:58 PM

Total Suspension Disassembly - Front of the vehicle
Want to totally tear down your suspension to install performance Sways and Bushings? Here is some great detail how to do it, and you can use this as a check list. You may want to take some Pics as you go as I have to remember things like bolt orientation.

FIRST – ensure you have the correct tools. I suggest long handle METRIC wrenchs, and both Deep and Shallow impact sockets. Offset wrenchs are also a benefit for access. Also a set of Torx Bits, a spring compressor, and trim fastener removal tools. An impact wrench and power tools are a plus to reduce time. However, you can get away with less. You will need 10, 15, 18, 21 and 24 mm sizes at a minimum.

ON TO DISASSEMBLY

O Loosen all wheel nuts.
O Jack up the car and support securely. Pick jack stand points in the underbody that allow access to all fasteners and connections. I suggest the flat reinforced underbody areas, and use a wood block or similar on both sides, front and rear. You will be cranking on some bolts that have over 100ft lbs torque, so make sure the car is secure.
O Remove the Wheels/Tires.
O Remove the upper then the lower Sway Bar end link using a 15mm socket or wrench. If the stock stud turns (it will), hold the stud with a 10mm wrench over the 15mm wrench. Remove the SB Link.
O There is an ABS Line that goes to the wheel and it's held in with a Rubber Grommet that is simply pushed into a tab. Pull it out so that it's clear from the work. Then remove the sensor from the hub with a 10 mm socket, and route it out of the way.
O On the opposite side of the Strut Assembly, there is a Brake Line that is held in by a 10mm bolt. Remove and clear.
O Remove the (2) 18mm Caliper bolts with a socket, and remove and tie off Caliper
O Remove the (3) dust shield bolts with a 10mm socket and or wrench and remove the shield.
O Two 24mm Bolts on the bottom of the Strut and the single 24mm clinch nut on the Top of the Strut under the hood hold the entire Strut Assembly to the car at this point.
O Remove the (2) 24mm bolts and nuts from the Lower Strut Assembly. These are a little tough so you might need to put a little more effort into it than normal. Use (2) large 24 mm wrenchs, or a deep 24mm socket and 24 mm wrench. Remove the TOP Bolt and Nut 1st, and then loosen the bottom nut. Tie up the hub to the inner wheel well so it does not flop around. Then remove the bottom nut and bolt.
O Lift the hood, unscrew the small black Strut cover cap and a 24mm nut is revealed. A T50 torx bit is inserted in the shock rod so it does not rotate, and use a 24 mm box or offset box wrench to get at the nut. All the weight of the Strut Assembly is being held by this so making sure that you have a hand on it when taking it off.
O To disassemble the strut to get the parts needed for the coilovers, use a spring compressor as the spring is under tension! Compress the spring and remove the 24mm nut holding the spring to the strut. You will need to reuse the nut, OEM washer, and OEM rubber top mount and ring for the coilovers, or maybe lowering springs.
O Remove the Front Radius Rod outer ball joint nut with a 21mm socket or wrench. It should not rotate. Do the same for the Frt LCA ball joint 21mm Nut.
O Remove the Tie Rod Ball Joint Nut with a 18mm socket. Hit the end with a hammer to pop it out. Try not to bugger up the 10mm Hex end, but you can file the buggers flat later.
O Remove the Wheel Well Liner, which is necessary to rotate the Washer Bottle enough to get the Frt Radius Rod Bolt out. Remove the 5 screws a T20 Torx, and 5 Retainers with a trim tool. Pull Liner out.
O On the Washer Bottle, remove the lower LH and RH bolt with a 13mm socket. Then loosen the Top LH bolt enough to rotate the wash bottle clockwise. Good time to pull it out if you want to use a remote reservoir and Intake Scoop.
O Remove the Front Radius Rod Inner Mounting Bolt and Nut from the frame rail using a 21mm socket and wrench.
O Remove the Frt LCA Inner Mounting bolt from the frame rail using a 21mm socket and wrench.
O Pull out the Hub with the FRR and LCA attached by the ball joints, and knock out the ball joints with a brass hammer. Repeat On the Passenger Side, and next is Sway Bar removal and Power Steering Bushing Mount.

03-01-2016, 01:58 PM	#3
hesster Drives: '10 C5 SS, '77 Bandit T/A Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 639 View My Garage	Total Suspension Disassembly - Front of the vehicle Want to totally tear down your suspension to install performance Sways and Bushings? Here is some great detail how to do it, and you can use this as a check list. You may want to take some Pics as you go as I have to remember things like bolt orientation. FIRST – ensure you have the correct tools. I suggest long handle METRIC wrenchs, and both Deep and Shallow impact sockets. Offset wrenchs are also a benefit for access. Also a set of Torx Bits, a spring compressor, and trim fastener removal tools. An impact wrench and power tools are a plus to reduce time. However, you can get away with less. You will need 10, 15, 18, 21 and 24 mm sizes at a minimum. ON TO DISASSEMBLY O Loosen all wheel nuts. O Jack up the car and support securely. Pick jack stand points in the underbody that allow access to all fasteners and connections. I suggest the flat reinforced underbody areas, and use a wood block or similar on both sides, front and rear. You will be cranking on some bolts that have over 100ft lbs torque, so make sure the car is secure. O Remove the Wheels/Tires. O Remove the upper then the lower Sway Bar end link using a 15mm socket or wrench. If the stock stud turns (it will), hold the stud with a 10mm wrench over the 15mm wrench. Remove the SB Link. O There is an ABS Line that goes to the wheel and it's held in with a Rubber Grommet that is simply pushed into a tab. Pull it out so that it's clear from the work. Then remove the sensor from the hub with a 10 mm socket, and route it out of the way. O On the opposite side of the Strut Assembly, there is a Brake Line that is held in by a 10mm bolt. Remove and clear. O Remove the (2) 18mm Caliper bolts with a socket, and remove and tie off Caliper O Remove the (3) dust shield bolts with a 10mm socket and or wrench and remove the shield. O Two 24mm Bolts on the bottom of the Strut and the single 24mm clinch nut on the Top of the Strut under the hood hold the entire Strut Assembly to the car at this point. O Remove the (2) 24mm bolts and nuts from the Lower Strut Assembly. These are a little tough so you might need to put a little more effort into it than normal. Use (2) large 24 mm wrenchs, or a deep 24mm socket and 24 mm wrench. Remove the TOP Bolt and Nut 1st, and then loosen the bottom nut. Tie up the hub to the inner wheel well so it does not flop around. Then remove the bottom nut and bolt. O Lift the hood, unscrew the small black Strut cover cap and a 24mm nut is revealed. A T50 torx bit is inserted in the shock rod so it does not rotate, and use a 24 mm box or offset box wrench to get at the nut. All the weight of the Strut Assembly is being held by this so making sure that you have a hand on it when taking it off. O To disassemble the strut to get the parts needed for the coilovers, use a spring compressor as the spring is under tension! Compress the spring and remove the 24mm nut holding the spring to the strut. You will need to reuse the nut, OEM washer, and OEM rubber top mount and ring for the coilovers, or maybe lowering springs. O Remove the Front Radius Rod outer ball joint nut with a 21mm socket or wrench. It should not rotate. Do the same for the Frt LCA ball joint 21mm Nut. O Remove the Tie Rod Ball Joint Nut with a 18mm socket. Hit the end with a hammer to pop it out. Try not to bugger up the 10mm Hex end, but you can file the buggers flat later. O Remove the Wheel Well Liner, which is necessary to rotate the Washer Bottle enough to get the Frt Radius Rod Bolt out. Remove the 5 screws a T20 Torx, and 5 Retainers with a trim tool. Pull Liner out. O On the Washer Bottle, remove the lower LH and RH bolt with a 13mm socket. Then loosen the Top LH bolt enough to rotate the wash bottle clockwise. Good time to pull it out if you want to use a remote reservoir and Intake Scoop. O Remove the Front Radius Rod Inner Mounting Bolt and Nut from the frame rail using a 21mm socket and wrench. O Remove the Frt LCA Inner Mounting bolt from the frame rail using a 21mm socket and wrench. O Pull out the Hub with the FRR and LCA attached by the ball joints, and knock out the ball joints with a brass hammer. Repeat On the Passenger Side, and next is Sway Bar removal and Power Steering Bushing Mount. Attached Images Last edited by hesster; 11-10-2018 at 09:56 AM.