chinkieboy

when I tried to put the stock ones back in, i'm having hard time to line up the bottom for the bolt to get in and also it seems like the end of sway bar is push//block the suspension to get back in. do i have to remove the sway bar??? any advice???

importkid

Use a pry bar and move it. Pay attention to the spring stop at the bottom. Another answer is see how far off you are and then use a spring compressor and move the top hat that amount. The sway bar does not have to come off, but it has made life easier for some people. I've probably done 20 different sets of S shocks and I've never undone it.

chinkieboy

yeah the thing is i don't have a spring compressor..

importkid

Go rent one. 50 bucks at most parts places, and you'll get a full refund.

twohoos

Disconnect the sway bar both sides. Remove top hats from shocks and put them in place on car, but leave the nuts very loose. Use a lever to lower the suspension while fitting the shock & spring -- first the top (slide piston rod into top hat), then the bottom (fit bracket over lower a-arm.

S2K-F8

Also, I would suggest unbolting and removing the ABS sensors before you pry the suspension down. I ripped one of the wires out of a sensor when I was installing my coilovers. Stupid, costly mistake on my part and easily removed with just one bolt.

twohoos

^Yes, that's critical.

importkid

That's a really good way to do it. You could then use a jack to compress it. Never thought about that before.