Coilover Options for Gen5 AllTrac/GT-Four

[Roreri]

Absolutely. I have a set of Excel-Gs as well. All good stuff to hold onto.

 

[underscore]

If they're going by book time it's going to be on the high side because the official method to swap the struts is to disconnect all 4 brake hoses and then have to bleed the brakes afterwards. What everyone actually does is carefully cut a small section out of the bracket on the strut and remove the hoses without opening the brake system.

I haven't watched those videos, but the removal/install of strut assemblies on these cars is pretty straightforward. This is from memory, but up front it's remove the wheel, remove the brake line clip, remove the brake line per above, unbolt the bottom two bolts, unbolt the top three studs. Be sure to have both sides hanging at full droop or you'll be fighting the sway bar trying to droop the control arm enough to get the strut out. In the rear it's remove the tweeter cover, remove the tweeter (two bolts and a plug), unbolt the sway bar end link, and then do the same as the fronts. You'll need 10-19mm sockets and wrenches, extensions, a breaker bar, a hacksaw, a larger flathead screwdriver or some pliers for the brake line clips, a hammer and some penetrating fluid.

The sway bar end links tend to need to be cut off, the stock ones have an allen head in the stud and it's usually full of crud. Hit everything with penetrating fluid for a few days before you do it. Hit all the rear control arm bolts as well so it's easier for the alignment shop.

 

[Roreri]

From what you wrote I can see it is involved, and so I soften my stance as regards the quote. Thanks for the perspective. But I also think there are no parts of it that a determined person willing to put in the time cannot see to.

From my perspective the primary issues are the hazard involved with accidentally breaching the brake system and stuck bolts.

I’m a little curious about the cutting the sway bar end links part. That sounds like i best have some sway bar end links on hand or be prepared to get some.

I guess it comes down to a gut check. Do I get stronger and wiser in the doing of this task and continue building my tool chest or do I pay to have it done. $1400 on top of the cost of the coilover kit is no little money.

 

[underscore]

It's pretty straightforward as a DIY job, I've lost track of how many times I've swapped them though so I might be a little biased lol. Everything is doable at home with standard tools, you don't need any specialty stuff so even if buy a couple things and then change your mind it's all tools you're most likely going to be using for another job in the future. Like you said, stuck or rusty bolts are likely to be your biggest hindrance. Assuming an hour of that quote is for bleeding the brakes and another hour is the alignment at $150/hr they're charging ~$1100 to actually swap the strut assemblies. The way I look at it, even if you get stuck on one or two of them, you're saving ~$275 for each corner you can swap yourself.

If you do have to cut the rear end links, you can just use zip ties or some string to hold the bar out of the way until you get new ones, so you're not totally stuck if you're waiting for new ones.