Newbee, what's so hard about replacing shocks?
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Newbee, what's so hard about replacing shocks?
My 2001 A4 coupe is riding rougher than it should. I've been thinking about replacing the shocks, and doing a "little to the suspension". Getting a shop to do it can be more expensive than I think it should be. Before I go any further with this project here are my goals.
1. Replace the shocks with sport type Bilseins or Low-end Koni's
2. Replace the endlinks of the anti-sway bars and the bushings that are worn out
I'm Not looking to make it into a weekend racer. This is more about slightly improving the ride and making it a bit more planted. The car does have 60k on the clock. So, keeping the leaf spring in place. I won't have access to a lift but do have a nice set hand tools and ramps, jacks stands, etc...
What do you guy's recommend? How hard is this going to be? Are there some specialty tools that I'll need?
1. Replace the shocks with sport type Bilseins or Low-end Koni's
2. Replace the endlinks of the anti-sway bars and the bushings that are worn out
I'm Not looking to make it into a weekend racer. This is more about slightly improving the ride and making it a bit more planted. The car does have 60k on the clock. So, keeping the leaf spring in place. I won't have access to a lift but do have a nice set hand tools and ramps, jacks stands, etc...
What do you guy's recommend? How hard is this going to be? Are there some specialty tools that I'll need?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 32
From: cruising between USA and Canada... SAVE THE WAVE!
I just did my front shocks and it took me 2 hrs, all in, in my driveway at a lazy man's pace.
No zip ties needed.
A bit of muscle and it'll slide out one side once you compress it up with your hands.
No zip ties needed.
A bit of muscle and it'll slide out one side once you compress it up with your hands.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,668
Likes: 0
From: You should probably lurk more.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,668
Likes: 0
From: You should probably lurk more.
I must weigh over 600 lbs because I can compress my new C6Z shocks by putting my weight on them.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 9
From: Charlotte, NC
And the Bilsteins are a bit shorter than stock, so they weren't so bad to fit them in there.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
600 ft/lbs
WTF. I compressed these in my drive way with just upper body weight. 
Shocks are easy. I use a coat hanger loop to keep them compressed until they were in place and cut the wire and BAM,,,they wer in. Super easy!
If your having problems with something as easy as shocks, you car should be at a service center.
Have you thought about the C6 ZO6 Shocks. I have them on my 02 ZO6. There significantly better than stock and only $250 new for all four from www.gmprtshouse.com. Gene Culley will fix ya up! There 100% bolt in.
My suspension control issues are GONE! There are 50 post on this very topic!
BC
WTF. I compressed these in my drive way with just upper body weight. Shocks are easy. I use a coat hanger loop to keep them compressed until they were in place and cut the wire and BAM,,,they wer in. Super easy!If your having problems with something as easy as shocks, you car should be at a service center.
Have you thought about the C6 ZO6 Shocks. I have them on my 02 ZO6. There significantly better than stock and only $250 new for all four from www.gmprtshouse.com. Gene Culley will fix ya up! There 100% bolt in.
My suspension control issues are GONE!
There are 50 post on this very topic!BC
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 232
From: Youngstown Ohio
This can be done with no special tools and on jack stands. I switched out my complete base suspension using the below links. Thanks to the members that put these how-to write-ups together.
I used this for shocks
http://www.c5forum.com/diy/shocks.php
This for stabilizer bars
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=16
And just in case you decide to change springs
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=20
Darion
I used this for shocks
http://www.c5forum.com/diy/shocks.php
This for stabilizer bars
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=16
And just in case you decide to change springs
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=20
Darion
