Hotchkis install w/hand tools

[OLJustice]

Going down tomorrow most likely. Ordered a DeWalt DW293 345 ft# electric impact wrench recommended by you guys on the forums from an online retailer at an awesome price:
Obviously it wont be here by tomorrow so I'll be installing Hotchkis w/hand tools. Just how hard is it to loosen the cradle bolts w/hand tools? Any tips?

[bklynmag]

Good luck. If you end up pushing off till a weekend date let me know.

[moparmike610]

use a breaker bar shouldn't be that bad to do, and as for the dewalt impact you can get it at Home Depot for about the same price,

hope that helps

[EPIC SRT]

Cradle bolts for the rear? Recently replaced my rear with a Hothckis and you can remove the bolts using hand tools but would be best served using 1/2" drive with a breaker bar. May need a cheater too.

Be sure to mark the cradle bushing location (before starting) on the frame to ensure it gets mounted back in the same place.

Loosening with hand tools is easier than tightening. Again, use the same as above and without an impact you should at least have a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

Hope this is of some help!

[OLJustice]

Good luck. If you end up pushing off till a weekend date let me know.

Well... as I put in another thread, my rear shocks/springs actually haven't arrived yet. I expect them tomorrow so I'm basing my install date of tomorrow off that. If they don't come then I'm just gonna hold off until the weekend. I just have to explain that to the buyers of my sways and suspension who've paid and have been patiently waiting a week now.

use a breaker bar shouldn't be that bad to do, and as for the dewalt impact you can get it at Home Depot for about the same price,

hope that helps

Got the DW293 for a steal online.. around 150. Way cheaper than Sears/Home Depot was asking for it.

[JimTurner]

I did my Hotchkis with hand tools. Half in. breaking bar is what I used to loosen the cradle bolts.

One more note: A four-wheel alignment is recommended after this install. I considered the $90 cheap insurance against premature wear of my $800 tires.

jimt

[OLJustice]

I did my Hotchkis with hand tools. Half in. breaking bar is what I used to loosen the cradle bolts.

One more note: A four-wheel alignment is recommended after this install. I considered the $90 cheap insurance against premature wear of my $800 tires.

jimt

Oh I'll be driving straight to PepBoys for my free alignment right after!