[S0C0nFused]

After going over it (and over it, and over it again). I think I can install my FR suspension myself. I have the FR Parts from Mike at Hillbish (Front springs/struts assembled 8-D), the SPF rear upper control arms, the rear springs and struts and all new bolts.
I have one critical consideration left however. If I am doing it myself. How long should I budget to complete the swap? I am not 'speedy', I am thorough! (Wife says I'm annal).
Thanks. [wrenchin]
Note: I am not anticipating hopelessly stuck bolts as its an 07.

 

[jetrinka]

It took me around 6 hours for my first suspension install on the Focus. Also the first suspension i have ever done. It was the SVT suspension so nothing came assembled either. Also included a rear swaybar as well which I put on even though my stock ST one was the same... lol

 

[SuperFocusMan]

Plan at least half a day. Rears are easy enough. Fronts are the most time consuming. But the hard part is already completed for you.

 

[S0C0nFused]

I will plan for a whole day then as I am (ahem) Anal.
Actually, as Mike put the fronts together they should be relatively easy as compared to the rears.
somewhat unrelated. My torque wrench(s) is/are many years old. Should I get a new one or can I have them tested for accuracy somewhere? Old = +10years and rarely used. I have an inch/pound torque wrench as well that I am sure is not accurate anymore.

 

[nov173]

i just installed mikes FRPP kit yest. It took me probably around 6-7 hours ONLY cuz i was doing it outside and it kept pouring on and off so i had to stop quite a few times. The rear was very easy... ONLY cuz i replaced the LCA's.. WHICH i will NEVER do again!!! lol i'll pay someone to do that before i do it again. haha.. The fronts were easy. The sway bar link to strut nut was a bitch to remove. Heat was def my friend yest. Any bolt i could budge with pb blaster i just took the torch to it and heated it up and they came right loose. The strust was a pita too. It didn't wanna come out of the knuckle.. but with a lot of pounding it eventually did.

I did it all myself with hand tools. Well i actually used an impact a couple times just to hurry things up.

 

[dsmuts]

I did the front and rear in about 3 hours the front was very easy and only took me about 20 min each side the rear was horrible and i ended up using spring compressors.

 

[nov173]

^^^ i tried the compressors in the rear. Couldn't find a way to make any kind work

 

[S0C0nFused]

I don't have any air tools. But again, I don't think I am going to have the rust issues (Ya. I read about your 'adventure' with the LCA's in another thread. Glad you got'm replaced). Wife is startin to freak out though! She may veto it yet even though she knows I am exceptionally careful (A.K.A. anal). The one place I would trust to do it is always jam packed, and they won't make appointments. So my plan was to spend a day for the install and then take it to the dealer to get the alignment (who does make appointments). Still got to burn a Vac day though. That sucks!

 

[S0C0nFused]

I did the front and rear in about 3 hours the front was very easy and only took me about 20 min each side the rear was horrible and i ended up using spring compressors.

Why? Stuck bolts?

 

[nov173]

he has an 02 so his lca bolts were fried like mine prob. the whole lca had to be cut out and it's more pain than it's worth lol ESP without any air tools. The fronts i used all hand tools. The sway bar link to strut was a bitch but if you have some heat available you'll be fine. A blow torch to the nut a bit will help it break loose real easy. And make sure you have a rubber mallet or something to pound the knuckle down from the strut. That took the longest for me cuz my strut was rusted in there.

I just made a thread with my install. I just did the frpp kit yest. check it out.

 

[acav1986]

I just finished up my rears today and also use the spring compressor method. I found out while at autozone that there are two different kinds of spring compressors; strut and coil. I tried it with the strut compressors before and couldn't get it. Today i used the coil spring compressors and took less than half an hour each side.

 

[ChrisRobin]

Today i used the coil spring compressors and took less than half an hour each side.

Are you able to find a picture of what you used exactly?

I have a 2001 ZX3. Mind you, the car was never in salt, just a little snow every year and of course rain since I'm in the Pacific NW. I feel optimistic that the LCA bolts will get loose but I don't want to try if I don't have to.

 

[fast_ryda]

You shouldnt have any problems. It took me 2 1/2 hours....everything was a part. Nice bolts go a long way lol. The spring compression took the longest but u dont have to deal with that. Good luck and take ur time....this isn't a race on who can do it the fastest. Make sure to go over the bolts again the next day or so when things have settled in.

 

[nov173]

you can use a compressor. You ahve to get the one like in the haynes manual otherwise it won't work

 

[MaroonZX3]

Make sure you use anti-seize compound when you reinstall the rear LCA bolts.

 

[S0C0nFused]

Ack! Missing Sockets. What is the Largest Metric socket I need from getting the lug nuts off to the suspension bolts?
I assume there all metric btw. If not let me know.
Thanks!!! (Going to try and get Monday off and do it this weekend)

 

[nov173]

lca bolt is 15mm, sway bar end links are 13mm... shock bolt is 15mm. Front sway bar link is 15mm. You'll need a wrench for that and a 7mm allen head i believe to hold the link from spinning. Top of strut tower is 13mm. 15mm for front knuckle bolt that holds the strut in.

 

[acav1986]

Sorry it took so long, but here's links to the two different types of spring compressors.


Strut spring compressors, used for the fronts.
http://www.autozone.com/R,1330814/store,2144/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm


Coil spring compressors, used for the rears.
http://www.autozone.com/R,2264690/store,2144/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm

 

[nov173]

i have one just the like one you used for the rear. Your's must have been a lot smaller in order to fit through the spring perch.

 

[S0C0nFused]

Thanks nov173. On my way to Sears!