If I replace the struts and springs up front on my 86 GL wagon, is it going to throw my alignment off?

 

I need new struts but I dont have the money to buy new struts and then pay 100 bucks to get the alignment done by a shop

 

And as far as the back shocks, is there even an alignment adjustment on the them?

Nope.. won't throw the alignment off if you replace strutrs and springs as one piece.. if you remove the spring from the strut cartrige, make sure you get the strut top back on right and you'll be OK.. pretty hard to screw it up

alright... sounds good

when I buy the new struts, do they come as one piece? or are they strut and then a spring so I'd have to put them togehter?

When you buy new struts, they don't come with springs. they just come with the strut cartridge. The spring, strut top and bearing you have to buy seperately or supply yourself.

damn.

how long of a project am I lookin at time wise to replace shocks/struts all the way around?

if you have a impact gun then the rear should take about an hour the front if no bolts break it should take about 1-1.5 hours that and you will also need a spring compressor to do both

damn.. maybe I'll see if my JY has some newer used ones so I can just swap them out.

Mine are so worn out that I can almost bottom out my front just by pushing down on it

that would be the cheapest way and the quickest !

but if I was to get new struts and shocks, what brand do you guys recommend for a EA82 GL Wagon?

If you go the new route for the strut cartridge, you will be better for it if you get KYB - they make the best struts and shocks (well, some say Bilstein does). You likely won't spend too much money either.

 

I think Advance (do they have those in AK?) can order you KYB.

 

If you had the dough, news springs are in order, as shocks(and strut cartidges) are just the damper for the rebound - they are not supposed to be the thing that holds the car up.

 

The salvage yard may be a good place to start - look for a set on a car with low miles. Otherwise, new springs would likely cost you ~$60 a piece.

 

Good Luck,

 

md

thanks guys!

If you get KYBs, get the kind (rear only) that has the three adjustment notches; they'll let you jack up the rear about an inch. Also, you can put the front springs from some Hondas in the back shocks for more oomph. late 80s/early 90s i think; the springs will appear visually similar but obviously a little beefier.

someone mentioned S-10 coil over shocks for the rear. I had the coilovers on my 84 S-15 and they were awesome

I'm gonna go look at Carquest tommorow and measure the lengths and see if they will fit.

 

I bet they will be way better then the subaru shocks cuz tehy are made to handle more weight

hey baccaruda have anyone else tried my spring conversion?

 

anyway torxxx if you want to attempt the honda spring job its cheap, fits with no mods, rides stiffer espically with a load. do a search on it if interested.

 

my springs came off the front of a 88 accord hatch.

 

these with a good set of kyb's and yor set. KYB has some strange listings for some subes or none at all. but they do make them and they are probably the best thing avail.