How hard is it to install lowering springs

I want to install the Ford Racing 1" progressive lowering springs on my new Mustang Ecoboost.

I called my ford dealer where I bought the car and he said it was going to be retail price or $70 more than american muscle for the springs and about 4 hours of labor at $400 to install them.

If I just bought the springs myself and brought them to a local performance shop to have them installed would I be better off?

Thanks
Terry

It's an easy install as long as you have the tools necessary--which you can buy for far less than the cost of install.

There are probably a good bit of people on this forum that can comment and be a lot more useful than I am.

I've done the rear springs before (on my old mustang), and it took about 3-4 hours including the time to get all the tools, and lifting the car. That was my first time and I was extremely cautious on everything I did, so I didn't care how long it took. The reason why I only did the back is because I don't trust myself with a spring compressor, which is only needed for the front springs. So I figured I would save some $$ by doing the backs myself.

Try to get some quotes from other certified places other than the dealership. Probably will get a better deal somewhere else.

$400 plus $400 that's $800 oh man )):

I'm a have to hold off this mod /:

You just need a jack and jack stands, some ratchets and sockets, and a spring compressor you can rent at advanced auto. It's very simple. I'm sure there's a how to DIY on the forum you can follow. Or instructions that come with the springs. Have a buddy help you.

if youre down there might as well do shocks too. CJ Pony Parts has a lot of installation videos too

^^^Yes^^^ CJ pony parts has a nice walkthrough video. Its what I used.

Easy, 3 hours to install without professional tools or lift.

I all ready have a jack and stands, after the springs are installed do I need to get an alignment?

tcman54 said:

I want to install the Ford Racing 1" progressive lowering springs on my new Mustang Ecoboost.

I called my ford dealer where I bought the car and he said it was going to be retail price or $70 more than american muscle for the springs and about 4 hours of labor at $400 to install them.

If I just bought the springs myself and brought them to a local performance shop to have them installed would I be better off?

Thanks
Terry

Click to expand...

Just reading between the lines here besides renting a srping compressor you're going to have some significant upfront costs in 1/2" ratchet and socket set, and so forth...low pro jack, jack stands, and on and on and on. Assuming you're buying those things, and see them as not one-time use tools. Sure you don't need "pro" tools for the job but shat from Wal-Mart isn't going to cut it either.

tcman54 said:

I all ready have a jack and stands, after the springs are installed do I need to get an alignment?

Click to expand...

Yes, you're going to change the geometry with the ride height change. You'll also be taking loose lots of suspension components.

The factory alignments aren't all that great to start with anyhow.

I did mine in the garage. I had most of the tools already. But i did pickup a good low pro jack ($100 harbor freight) and an impact gun at sockets ($50 total). I figured I would use these tools a lot so it wasn't a bad investment. I try and do all my modding myself except for speciality stuff like welding and wiring. Straight bolt I'll do.

You need an impact gun or at the very least a solid breaker bar to get the main bolts off. Trust me very hard to do with hand tools. I'm a decent size guy and put a few hours in the gym every week. I'll rep 225 10-12 times. I couldn't budge the bolts. Come right off with the impact gun.

VinnAY said:

Just reading between the lines here besides renting a srping compressor you're going to have some significant upfront costs in 1/2" ratchet and socket set, and so forth...low pro jack, jack stands, and on and on and on. Assuming you're buying those things, and see them as not one-time use tools. Sure you don't need "pro" tools for the job but shat from Wal-Mart isn't going to cut it either.

Click to expand...

What VinnAy said. If you are a total noob as I was, count on at least five hours the first time you do it. Trips to the store for tools i didnt have like large metric sockets and wrenches. Second time I did it was quicker, dont need the video anymore. I followed the CJPony video to a T. Plenty of rewinding and watching things multiple times.

Notables from my experience:

You want to rent a Strut spring compressor, NOT a Coil spring compressor. I wasted a good 45 minutes scared to death trying to use a coil spring compressor before I realized I had the wrong type

CJPONY uses a very nice strut compressor, the one you usually rent from auto stores is not that nice and it can get frustrating. Spent a good amount of time wrestling with that thing.

Have a good 4 lb hammer available to beat out the spline bolts. Real pain in the arsh if you have a really tight bolt. I ordered a fresh set from the dealer because I beat mine so bad trying to get them out the nuts would not screw down on one. Note for leverage - turn the wheel so you have a better swing angle for the hammer. One of my bolts was that hard get out. I don't think everyone has the same experience.

Get yourself a 21mm strut socket. Some folks don't have issues, I wasn't so lucky and had to deal with the spinning strut. Different techniques for working without the specialty socket. You can search the forum for techniques

Need a good Torque wrench to tighten everything to spec. If you don't, could bite you in the butt later trying to track down a problem. My torque wrench doubles as a breaker bar. Need if you impact gun is too big for some of the locations.

All that said, not too bad. just those little things like I mentioned above that is a real time killer for us noobs doing it for the first time. I think I now own size socket and wrench I could possibly need

Good Luck :cheers:

I all ready got all the tools, sockets, torque wrenches, big hammers, breaker bar etc.

I take tires off all the time to clean the back of the rims.

So I guess I just need to rent a spring compressor.

Terry

Yeah it's not too bad. Just make sure you have a heavy duty low pro jack. You won't be able to get a regular jack out after its lowered.

But since you've already jacked up the car and taken off the rear wheels before that's half of the rear install. Just disconnect the shocks, remove the rear subframe bolts and pull out the spring.