acl15

i feel like such a noob. im trying to install the prokits and the shocks are pissing me off. how do i get the front shocks off?!

i took off the wheel, then the rotor and caliper, and unscrewed that one screw on the shock that holds the wire that connects to the backside of the rotor thing. no matter which way i turn the tire, some part of the thing that holds the rotor will not allow enough room for the shock to come off.

IS_250

iTrader: (2)

you dont need to remove the rotor or caliper. under the front covers you should have 3 bolts that hold the strut above and i believe 2 on the knuckle. you will either have to unbolt the ball joint or unbolt the upper control arm to get the shock out.

acl15

the shocks are totally unbolted but there is no space to get it out. trying to do what TIS says by unscrewing the two bolts that hold on the front upper suspension arm but it's freakin hard to fit any tools up there.

can anyone give me step by step directions? im so lost... thanks

IS_250

iTrader: (2)

put the rotors and calipers back in. have an assistant step on the rotor/caliper so that the suspension droops. you should be able to manuver the strut out at an angle.

acl15

nevermind i got it all to work

IS_250

iTrader: (2)

congrats.. it was a PITA wasnt it?

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

If you haven't already done the rears, you should still consider having someone (preferably someone heavy) stand on the brake caliper to push it down. It also helps to remove the sway bar linkage so that it will drop further / easier.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Why not just loosen the bolts holding the lower control arm? You're not going to lose your alignment, there are no adjustments anyway except toe. Besides, you need to reset your bushings for neutral ride height after putting in new springs anyway, and that means loosening all the big bolts holding the control arms, bouncing the suspension, and retightening under normal load.

acl15

man... i just finished doing the rears today. it sucked. spent a total of 6 hours working on everything plus 2 hours or so to figure things out. my friend got really frustrated too because the IS' suspension is so much more complicated than an m3's or s2k's (his cars). this was my first time working on a car and i think it'll be my last.

IS_250

iTrader: (2)

being the first time you've lowered a car, the IS can be frustrating. M3's are easy to lower.. especially the rear, you dont have to take out all the trim panels in the trunk to get the rear springs out. its like a total of 3 bolts and you can pop the rear springs right out. as long as you have someone help you out id continue to learn by working on your own car. its saves money and its pretty satisfying... well, after you get over the frustration and cussing.