Let the bruises begin! *cracks knuckles*

**OLJustice** · 09-15-2009, 07:16 PM

Well the sways arrived today. HALF of the srt suspension arrived so far... hoping the rears come tomorrow (dunno why they were sent separately...). If all goes well I will be tackling this tomorrow

!

As you can see, fronts are fully assembled which should make the install a breeze. Yes... that is an endlink still attached (?)

Local Sears didn't have the electric impact that the forums recommended in-stock so unless they suddenly get a shipment in tomorrow, looks like I'll be tackling this with handtools. That should be fun when its time to get at those cradle bolts eh? lol. Last call for anyone in the NY/tri-state area who can help w/the rears...

**OLJustice** · 09-16-2009, 03:01 PM

Rear nivomats just came in. I doubt I'll have time to do this today before going to work. Looks like 1 more day.

**Hemi31** · 09-16-2009, 03:03 PM

You really don't need an Impact for this.....it's fairly simple.

**hops23** · 09-16-2009, 03:09 PM

Yeah, but those cradle bolts are long...

**OLJustice** · 09-16-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Hemi31

You really don't need an Impact for this.....it's fairly simple.

The more I look at Hotchkis installation instructions, the more I'm beginning to believe this. Only thing I'm worried about is getting everything loosened without stripping something and tightened back up since I'm using my hands.

One question: is it really necessary to lower the cradle completely or can I just unthread the bolts until I have enough room? I'd feel tremendously better if I could simply unthread them a bit. That way I wouldn't have to worry about lining everything back up after the new sway is in. Alls I need is about 4 inches correct?

**RobAGD** · 09-16-2009, 10:00 PM

You will need an alignment anyways, because you will be replacing the struts and shockers etc.

I think you will need a more than 4".

To get real close on putting the cradle in the right spot use some white paint and make 2 marks per mount. That should get you close.

And doing it with hand tools isn't a biggie, having done the Hotchkis TVS kit, SRT Take off and now KWv2's it isnt that big of a deal.

Just make sure you have 13 15 16 18 21 wrenches and sockets, a good breaker bar and a torque wrench.

-Robert

**OLJustice** · 09-16-2009, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by RobAGD

You will need an alignment anyways, because you will be replacing the struts and shockers etc.

I think you will need a more than 4".

To get real close on putting the cradle in the right spot use some white paint and make 2 marks per mount. That should get you close.

And doing it with hand tools isn't a biggie, having done the Hotchkis TVS kit, SRT Take off and now KWv2's it isnt that big of a deal.

Just make sure you have 13 15 16 18 21 wrenches and sockets, a good breaker bar and a torque wrench.

-Robert

I actually laid out those exact size wrenches today before I left for work. Tossed them all in the car. Do you know if I'll have to completely unthread the cradle bolts to make room or can I leave them still threaded somewhat?

**RobAGD** · 09-17-2009, 12:25 PM

I un did them and left the rear on the floor jack. More room = mondo easier to do the sway, The Shocks and Spring may not need that much room, especially if you have a 2nd set of hands helping.

-R

**Hemi31** · 09-17-2009, 12:29 PM

You will need to lower it completely to get the springs and the Nivomats in.

**OLJustice** · 09-18-2009, 01:27 AM

Everything half assembled on my bud's floor. Fronts are done (cake) and front and rear sways are in. Gonna button everything up tomorrow.

Btw, THOSE CRADLE BOLTS ARE FRIKKIN TIGHT!

**OLJustice** · 09-19-2009, 09:54 AM

Job was done yesterday. Hardest part IMO was snaking the rear swaybar through and working it around that brake line. Cradle had to be dropped quite a bit and the jack I had/used only went up about 17" (around that height).

Thanks Rob and Erik for all your help. It really wasn't that bad.. but I would never do it again. I simply didn't have the equipment. Cradle bolts are long as hell and a heavy duty garage floor jack is pretty much necessary. The hand tools didn't really hinder me except when it came to the cradle bolts. All in all it was straightforward... but still very arduous.

That having been said, I am getting a strange clunk on the right front side. Everything was tightened to the gills (been down that road before) and I took it to a local pepboys to tighten everything up again... so I know it's not that. Clunk occurs when going over large bumps or dips like when entering or leaving a gas station. I'm thinking that the F/R endlink was handled a little too rough when I was taking it off and is now bad?

**RobAGD** · 09-19-2009, 10:54 AM

Swy bars bushing or mounts, also check the shouckmount bolts and the upper 3 bolts on the strut.

-R

**OLJustice** · 09-19-2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by RobAGD

Swy bars bushing or mounts, also check the shouckmount bolts and the upper 3 bolts on the strut.

-R

Sound tracked down. It was my SPC UCA binding with the inner lining of the fender (a known issue). I should've known this since I ran into the same issue when I first installed the UCAs. Thing was... I was only getting it on the left side so I only trimmed the left fender well. I guess changing the suspension affected the geometry just enough so that the right side was binding as well. Still... it is curious how the angle of the UCA differs from side to side. Oh well...