Replacing whole suspension, costs?

[exdeath]

encouraging someone who admits they know nothing about cars to do a decent amount of suspension work?

this should be entertaining.

If it was lowered improperly then all that was changed were the springs. It was a clueless idiot who changed the springs in the first place, how hard can it be to change them back for someone with a little more sense.

The pre-assembled quick struts are about as easy to swap out as a tire.

I don't know why people think brakes and suspension are so mysterious and complicated. People on this forum freak out over DIY brake jobs "oh noes safety, leave it to the experienced professionals or you'll kill a bus full of children", when really it's very VERY hard to screw up a disc brake job. Suboptimal (didn't bed pads or turn rotors or used wrong pad material), maybe, but complete failure, highly unlikely. And if you got it wrong, you'll know as soon as you start rolling down the drive way at 5 mph. I mean... it's two bolts... it takes more to jack up the car and take the wheel off.

And I'd gauge OP has enough common sense to not do something incredibly stupid like jack the car up by the spring loaded control arm and then start unbolting the compressed strut and spring... He already has a service manual and I guarantee the procedure lists in bold about 3 times to support the car by the body and let the wheel droop lightly supported by a jack. You have to assume that people come here and ask questions because they are slightly smarter than the average person and are interested in learning. If not the car would already be in the shop and we'd never hear about it here.

This is Anandtech, not 4chan or WoW trade channel. Maybe I just have high expectations.

 

[jlee]

encouraging someone who admits they know nothing about cars to do a decent amount of suspension work?

this should be entertaining.

Once you remove the wheel, there's what...six bolts holding the front strut assembly in? Two main ones and four or five little ones up top. Some have the brake lines running through tabs in the housing, but that's easy enough to fix..just slot it with a dremel and you don't have to disconnect the brake line at all.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Could someone give me links, like direct links to what I exactly need. I'm up to doing it I just want to make sure I have the right parts; would that manual I bought from ebay suffice or will that be too technical with no pictures whatsoever. I like my pictures lol

 

[Hellotalkie]

I like as mentioned above the "The pre-assembled quick struts"
So I don't even have to touch the struts

not that I don't want to look for parts, I am right now but I really don't know what to get and if I'm getting the right parts
its a 2003 ford focus zx3 2.0 zetec

 

[exdeath]

Could someone give me links, like direct links to what I exactly need. I'm up to doing it I just want to make sure I have the right parts; would that manual I bought from ebay suffice or will that be too technical with no pictures whatsoever. I like my pictures lol

Too lazy to dig up individual links but:

-Jack and jack stands

-Some medium to large size sockets (1/2" drive)

-1/2" drive socket wrench with a decent length handle (it's going to take some grunt)

-1/2" drive breaker bar (non ratcheting style socket wrench with a long handle) or a 2-3 foot piece of pipe to fit over the socket wrench

-1/2 drive torque wrench; not 100% necessary but hightly recommended to torque suspension parts to spec for safety and avoid clunks and noises (a $10 one at harbor freight is sufficient for work this crude).

-smaller sockets or wrenches for misc clips and brackets that might be in the way

Generic procedure will be something as follows (make sure to note specific differences or warnings from your manual):

1) Jack car, support with jack stands under body lift points (on both sides at the same time same height if you have sway bars).
2) Remove wheel
3) remove misc brackets, guides, clips holding brake line, abs wire, etc. to the strut body
4) Break loose but do not remove two large bolts holding strut to wheel knuckle
5) Place jack under control arm/ball joint and lift such that it's barely pushing up on it and compressing the spring ever so slightly
6) remove 2-3 bolts under the hood at the strut tower
7) slowly lower jack until spring is is uncompressed and top of strut falls freely away from the strut tower
8) remove the two big bolts you loosened
9) remove entire strut/spring assembly

10) Reverse for reinstall, with torque specs for bolts.

11) Drive gently to a place to get alignment checked.

Rear will be similar, but will probably require a spring compressor to be on the safe side, as a shock doesn't have a top mount and built in spring perch like a strut does (it might, depends on car and setup).

 

[brblx]

work on cars professionally and you'll see exactly how easy it is for someone to ruin shit. hell, i've seen supposed 'technicians' do some horrible work.

people who don't work on their own car generally don't do _any_ mechanical work because they have no inclination towards such.

yes, the job he's doing is easy, but the stakes are high because fucking up could mean a) killing himself with a spring or b) causing a car accident.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Suspension : Coil Spring
MOOG Part # 80099 {Sold in Pairs}
Rr Susp; Sedan; Regular
Rr Susp; Hatchback; Regular
$56.79 $0.00 $56.79
Suspension : Shock Absorber
MONROE Part # 5796 {Sensa-Trac Shock Absorber #5985}
Rear; Hatchback (2 Door)
$24.79 $0.00 $49.58
Suspension : Strut Assembly
MONROE Part # 171504 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spg; Bearing Plate; Insltr; Boot Kt}
Front Right; Hatchback (2 Door)
$102.89 $0.00 $102.89
MONROE Part # 171505 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Front Left; Hatchback (2 Door)
$102.89 $0.00 $102.89
Subtotal $312.15

This is what i came up with
The rear shocks and struts don't come put together like the fronts? Might be a dumb question but need to know. Also I think these are the parts that were recomended. Are these considered stock height?

 

[Hellotalkie]

work on cars professionally and you'll see exactly how easy it is for someone to ruin shit. hell, i've seen supposed 'technicians' do some horrible work.

people who don't work on their own car generally don't do _any_ mechanical work because they have no inclination towards such.

yes, the job he's doing is easy, but the stakes are high because fucking up could mean a) killing himself with a spring or b) causing a car accident.

This is why I'm going to find someone who can help me hopefully, if not I'm bringing my parts to a mechanic to install; which Im guessing will still be cheaper in the end.

 

[exdeath]

Suspension : Coil Spring
MOOG Part # 80099 {Sold in Pairs}
Rr Susp; Sedan; Regular
Rr Susp; Hatchback; Regular
$56.79 $0.00 $56.79
Suspension : Shock Absorber
MONROE Part # 5796 {Sensa-Trac Shock Absorber #5985}
Rear; Hatchback (2 Door)
$24.79 $0.00 $49.58
Suspension : Strut Assembly
MONROE Part # 171504 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spg; Bearing Plate; Insltr; Boot Kt}
Front Right; Hatchback (2 Door)
$102.89 $0.00 $102.89
MONROE Part # 171505 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Front Left; Hatchback (2 Door)
$102.89 $0.00 $102.89
Subtotal $312.15

This is what i came up with
The rear shocks and struts don't come put together like the fronts? Might be a dumb question but need to know. Also I think these are the parts that were recomended. Are these considered stock height?

Consult your manual. Rear may also require other little odds and ends: upper and lower spring seats/isolators, bump stop, shock mounts or bushings (this stuff is all integrated in the quick struts assemblies). You can also call the parts supplier to help you out with getting the exact part numbers for your car's year/make/model/engine.

Unless otherwise noted as "lowering" parts, they will be at or close enough to stock height to not cause your severe tire wear issues.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Hmmm i really don't know what to do. I'm just thinking about the spring and I honestly don't know if I know enough about this procedure to handle that step. Give the shop 1100 tomorrow or save about 500 for the same job.

do the rear struts come in assemblies like the fronts?

 

[exdeath]

Hmmm i really don't know what to do. I'm just thinking about the spring and I honestly don't know if I know enough about this procedure to handle that step. Give the shop 1100 tomorrow or save about 500 for the same job.

Consider also the tools involved. If you don't have them already, factor that into your DIY cost. The tools I listed total well over $100 even if you go cheap. Also factor in the time it takes; if you have to take a day off work because it's going to take you 3 days, factor that in also.

You know you're aptitude more than we do. Read the manual over and over again. If you have any doubts, don't try it.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I just feel if I can build a computer (which isn't rare for anyone, actually its much more easier than working on a car) I can pick up on working on car if I learned from someone. I've never had that father who knew about cars; nor any siblings, uncles etc. SOL on this one.

do the rear struts come in assemblies like the fronts?

 

[exdeath]

I just feel if I can build a computer (which isn't rare for anyone, actually its much more easier than working on a car) I can pick up on working on car if I learned from someone. I've never had that father who knew about cars; nor any siblings, uncles etc. SOL on this one.

do the rear struts come in assemblies like the fronts?

In your case, it appears no. Are the springs even wrapped around the shocks or separate? If they are separate, and your shocks are stock, all you probably need are the springs alone. This will be where safe spring handling and proper tools is vital since the spring is not contained by a fully assembled unit as is the case with the preassembled strut cartridges (as long as you don't touch that center bolt on the top, which you don't need to do).

PS struts = suspension support and rotating steering pivot in addition to being a "shock absorber". shocks = smaller, don't do anything but sit there being a shock absorber. The focus must have a double wishbone rear which means it has an upper control arm that holds the upper part of the wheel assembly instead of a strut like the front. Again, it's all in your manual.

If you are still thinking about doing it yourself and are really eager to do something, go jack up the car (rule #1 always use jack stands) and pull the wheel off and just sit there and study it until you understand how everything works together.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I'm going to the mechanic tomorrow; im not messing with the rear shocks, since I have an idea of the parts prices I'll look over the estimate they're going to give me. They quoted me at 1186 originally. They did have my car before, sway bar linkages were broken, they replaced them. Maybe the guy before me did such a half ass job that it'll take some work to get it back to normal? ehh I have the money this time but it'll be a while till I can afford another job like this. I bought a manual for future use, unless its a clutch issue; I don't see why I can't fix something simple like a thermostat or rotors etc...

 

[exdeath]

I'm going to the mechanic tomorrow; im not messing with the rear shocks, since I have an idea of the parts prices I'll look over the estimate they're going to give me. They quoted me at 1186 originally. They did have my car before, sway bar linkages were broken, they replaced them. Maybe the guy before me did such a half ass job that it'll take some work to get it back to normal? ehh I have the money this time but it'll be a while till I can afford another job like this. I bought a manual for future use, unless its a clutch issue; I don't see why I can't fix something simple like a thermostat or rotors etc...

Yup, they just put severe lowering springs on it and nothing else.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I'm just going to bring it to my mechanic, put over the 1k and be done with it. I don't feel the least bit comfortable doing it by myself. I looked at the front of my car today and the two front tires are inward. Its pretty bad.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Brought it to another mechanic for a quote. I guess the owner is a good friend of my girlfriends mom. They told me even if they fix the suspension, the fenders don't even match up and were bent to get a fit on the body. He also said there may be slight frame damage; if thats the case then I should just go get a new used car. He said its up to me if I want to gamble on getting the shocks replaced and finding out later if the frame is bent or not after the alignment.

He said he would not put his own son in this situation or in this car fyi.

Told them to call my dad and tell him whatsup, that this may be even more of a waste of money.

 

[drum]

that is a crappy situation to be in. I think I would get rid of this headache so you don't have to fret over it. You will forever have something in the back of your mind just wondering if something isn't right.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Ok, put it this way. Look at the "typical" mechanic. They're not to bright, most of them that I've ever encountered can't operate a computer. If you think working on a computer is easy and those guys can't even do it, that should tell you something.

I went from knowing absolutely nothing about cars to changing heads on a Chevy motor only using a haynes manual.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Besides the fact, its a different profession. You're allowed to be great at something and not so good at the other.

Anyways what if my parents won't cosign for a loan; I have a job, can do about 200 a month car payment. Where should I go? I have no credit whatsoever.

 

[jlee]

Brought it to another mechanic for a quote. I guess the owner is a good friend of my girlfriends mom. They told me even if they fix the suspension, the fenders don't even match up and were bent to get a fit on the body. He also said there may be slight frame damage; if thats the case then I should just go get a new used car. He said its up to me if I want to gamble on getting the shocks replaced and finding out later if the frame is bent or not after the alignment.

He said he would not put his own son in this situation or in this car fyi.

Told them to call my dad and tell him whatsup, that this may be even more of a waste of money.

Was it wrecked? I'm guessing so...that might have something to do with your poor tire wear - might not be entirely the suspension's fault.

 

[CraigRT]

Was it wrecked? I'm guessing so...that might have something to do with your poor tire wear - might not be entirely the suspension's fault.

It usually isn't.. I've had more than one lowered car, and tire wear was never an issue.

 

[Hellotalkie]

It wasn't an issue for the original owner, he had the original firestones on there with 70k. After I got into an accident (hit and run), i started having issues...
btw that hit and run, small story
I was going to make a left turn, already in the intersection. The light turns red, I proceed to go left, well a mini van decides to run the red light and hits me, runs off and i'm in the intersection.
Filed a police report the next day, they said they woud cite me if I proceeded with a police report. They said because even if my light turns red, his light could be a few miliseconds different, so his could have been yellow (utter bullshit). So since I was 17 and my job was delivery, i couldn't afford to lose my license for a citation. So i could never file an insurance claim and I was SOL on that one.

UGH

/end rant

 

[Vette73]

Could be bent control arm as well. They are cheap for that car. Have a GOOD aligmnet shop look at it and see what they say. Worse case take it to a body shop and let them put it on the frame machine. It can measure what is out of spec. Ask around as some charge to much and some are very fair.