Struts and coil assembly
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
If you're simply breaking the union of the ball joint and the spindle then you won't need to realign. If you're adding a leveling kit then you WILL need to align, or if you are replacing the control arms.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Don't even need to buy a spring compressor... Major chain parts stores will loan the cheap ones to you for free. But they are cheap ones and you need to be careful using them, but they do work. I used them to change struts on my 04 F150 and wife's Aviator this year. Took a whopping 2 hours to do each one.
On the alignment issue, if the new struts / springs change ride height of the front of vehicle, you should get an alignment. If height is not changed, no need for the alignment. I get an alignment twice a year, so did do it when I changed the components, since it was due anyway. Tires are too expensive and the pot holes in the NE are big, so the alignment is a regular maintenance and cheap insurance for me.
On the alignment issue, if the new struts / springs change ride height of the front of vehicle, you should get an alignment. If height is not changed, no need for the alignment. I get an alignment twice a year, so did do it when I changed the components, since it was due anyway. Tires are too expensive and the pot holes in the NE are big, so the alignment is a regular maintenance and cheap insurance for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 13
From: East L.A.
"Don't even need to buy a spring compressor... Major chain parts stores will loan the cheap ones to you for free. But they are cheap ones and you need to be careful using them, but they do work. I used them to change struts on my 04 F150 and wife's Aviator this year. Took a whopping 2 hours to do each one. "
Yes you can borrow the compressor from the auto parts places, but I'm not fond of the separate rod types they loan out. The clamshell type is a lot more stable (safer in my opinion).
Yes you can borrow the compressor from the auto parts places, but I'm not fond of the separate rod types they loan out. The clamshell type is a lot more stable (safer in my opinion).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 18
'McPherson Strut' is the generic name of a heavy-duty shock absorber that replaces the upper control arm in a vehicle suspension and containing the suspension spring.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 538
Likes: 24
From: Ojai California
"Don't even need to buy a spring compressor... Major chain parts stores will loan the cheap ones to you for free. But they are cheap ones and you need to be careful using them, but they do work. I used them to change struts on my 04 F150 and wife's Aviator this year. Took a whopping 2 hours to do each one. "
Yes you can borrow the compressor from the auto parts places, but I'm not fond of the sparate rod types they loan out. The clamshell type is a lot more stable (safer in my opinion).
Yes you can borrow the compressor from the auto parts places, but I'm not fond of the sparate rod types they loan out. The clamshell type is a lot more stable (safer in my opinion).
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ShayneO
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jan 20, 2011 08:08 AM
84f250460
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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May 10, 2007 07:22 PM
