Replacing struts. Good time to put in Alsfbs ?

[milivoj]

Hello,
I read through the archives for the last couple of days. What a wealth of information!!
I have a clean California 95 MTX with 110K. Springs are not sagging so I will keep them
and have a shop only replace the struts (Tokicos from *bay)
My question is whether putting in al sub frame bushings at the same time would add much to
the labor cost. I was quoted around $400 to install the struts but I had not thought of the sfb
when I talked to them.
Thanks

 

[wood_e]

Do the SFBs yourself... I did & made an article about it.

http://www.shophoenixproject.com/sfb/sfb.htm

 

[Ishodu]

Changing the struts and installing the sub frame bushings are both suspension work but unrelated parts. You won't save any $ in labor. But it might be a good idea to get it done if its in there anyway and you are not doing them yourself.
Btw you should get aligment after either job so you should get both jobs done before you do one.

 

[milivoj]

Thanks guys for the advice.
John, that is an awsome guide on how to do the SFBs. however as tempting
as it would be to try it I just don't trust myself to do it safely.
Marcel, good to know that I should have the alignment done after both jobs are
completed.
I want to do the SFBs badly because it appears it is one of the high
yield suspension upgrades.
Everything else I'll try to do piecemeal myself as finances allow.
I am beginning to realise how quikly it all adds up and busts your budget
Thanks
Milivoj

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

If the shop that is doing your suspension is also doing an alignment on the car, it would be best to replace the SFBs before the suspension overhaul.

 

[platoribs]

Thanks guys for the advice.
John, that is an awsome guide on how to do the SFBs. however as tempting
as it would be to try it I just don't trust myself to do it safely.
Marcel, good to know that I should have the alignment done after both jobs are
completed.
I want to do the SFBs badly because it appears it is one of the high
yield suspension upgrades.
Everything else I'll try to do piecemeal myself as finances allow.
I am beginning to realise how quikly it all adds up and busts your budget
Thanks
Milivoj

Subframe Bushings should, if possible, be done when you change the clutch, this is also a good time to check out the motor mounts and replace them. A clutch job will require subframe removal by most shops and swaping out the ALSFB and motor mounts while in there should be esentially a zero labor cost adder (maybe just a skosh for the R&R of the motormount).

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

1: ALSFB are easier to replace than radiators or even starters. Come on man, you can do it, I have faith in you!

2: No wheel alignment is necessary when you do the subframe bushings. Check your helms manual, the alignment is done with a 3/8 inch rachet extension by lining up the subframe on the left and right using the alignment holds in the body.

 

[Shoaz]

2: No wheel alignment is necessary when you do the subframe bushings. Check your helms manual, the alignment is done with a 3/8 inch rachet extension by lining up the subframe on the left and right using the alignment holds in the body.

Unless you know you can get the subframe in exactly the same location it was before you changed the bushings, I'd definitely recommend an alignment after changing the bushings. If you're doing the struts also, then it's not a bad time to get an alignment, anyway.

The subframe location affects the caster, toe, and the L-R balance of camber. If it doesn't go back exactly where it was you'll probably notice the difference. Bottom line is it's probably a good idea to get an alignment afterwards.

 

[milivoj]

1: ALSFB are easier to replace than radiators or even starters. Come on man, you can do it, I have faith in you!

The thought of working underneath the car while loosening the subframe bolts
makes me nervous. Unfortunately I'm not a young and reckless 18 year old anymore, I'm gaining on 60 LOL...

 

[platoribs]

The thought of working underneath the car while loosening the subframe bolts
makes me nervous. Unfortunately I'm not a young and reckless 18 year old anymore, I'm gaining on 60 LOL...

Hey @ 60 if you **** yourself at least you've been around the block a few times! I find it may take a little longer to do it safe but not too much longer and the living through the job part is definately a plus.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

I did mine with the car on the ground and used 2 jacks to keep the subframe held up. It wasnt ******* teh fronts at all but my texas car had even had rust on the original bushings on the rear making hte casing basically fuse itself to the subframe which required me to wack it very hard with a hammer and on the ground that got to be a task. However i also agree on getting an alignment done. Its very hard not to shift the subframe while ur wacking at it. You could at least do the front ones in your driveway and have someone else do the rears if it bothers you that much. The fronts took me all of 10 minutes to do and it was my first time doing them. It was so easy theres no sense in paying someone to do them. I can understand on the rears though.