My 1987 Two Door Crown Victoria AKA THE BROWN BLOB

[sly]

the bolt on the bottom will come out cleanly to be re-used on the rear shocks. Rear springs aren't an issue... release the shocks and lift the rer end until the springs come loose, then knock them out and replace. lower the car back down and install the new shocks on the way down. The front ones are the dangerous ones. there's a couple of ways to get them out, but basically you have to release the lower control arm with a jack under it to control the drop. Most folks I've heard of doing this separate the lower ball joint from the spindle and drop it that way with a jack slowing things down. and just reverse the process to put the new springs in. be very careful with the front springs and stand aside as best as you can just in case something slips.

[87gtVIC]

I sure hope the bolt/spacer and all comes out of my old rear shocks. My dad wasn't sure or not if they would. I hope they do though as it would be a hassle to find correct ones.

Thanks for the run down. I think my dad and I will try doing the rear ones first then move on to the front if we feel ambitious. I hear the upper bolt for the shocks are a pain removing.

[gadget73]

I've never gotten new hardware for the lower shocks any time I've bought new ones.

Upper bolt for the rear is not horrible if you have a long enough wrench to get in there. Its worse if the body mounts are sunk though.

[marquisman]

the rear shock upper nut is a pain if your body mounts are shot and the body is sitting on the frame. i was always able to sneak a saws all in there to cut it off. the front springs are not bad if you got a spring compressor. loosen your ball joint and control arm bolts, compress the spring, then undo the ball joint castle nut. the spring falls out.

[87gtVIC]

I've never gotten new hardware for the lower shocks any time I've bought new ones.

Upper bolt for the rear is not horrible if you have a long enough wrench to get in there. Its worse if the body mounts are sunk though.

I feel at ease now.

the rear shock upper nut is a pain if your body mounts are shot and the body is sitting on the frame. i was always able to sneak a saws all in there to cut it off. the front springs are not bad if you got a spring compressor. loosen your ball joint and control arm bolts, compress the spring, then undo the ball joint castle nut. the spring falls out.

I guess we will find out if the body mounts are shot.

The front will be done without a spring compressor.

My dad was babbling something about removing the rotors etc because they get in the way when you knock the ball joint loose or something. W/E I don't care how it gets done as long as it gets done. Can't disagree with dad when he is helping you with everything.

[91waggin]

Ratcheting box-end wrench is your friend with the upper bolt on the rear shocks.
Something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/6-piece-sae-color-combo-wrench-set-66053.html

The lisle tool is your friend for the upper nut on the front shocks.
This thing:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-3007-lisle-20400.aspx

[87gtVIC]

Cool! gotta see if I have any of that.

[85crownHPP]

You can get replacement lower shock mount bolt/stud nuts in the HELP section, worst case.

[sly]

if you have an evilly rusted front shock (one on the Mark was rusted solid to the nut and would not break free for anything), a dremel with a grinding wheel (or 3) is a very nice thing to have. Grind off at the bottom of the nut... once the top is off... take a hammer and something solid (center punch... solid metal screwdriver... crowbar) and give it a tap or two and what's left of the nut will come off and the shock will fall out. the new shocks will go on easy though.

I soaked that damn nut in PB Blaster for about an hour (IIRC) and it never gave up. I finally just ground the damn thing off.

[1990LTD]

get new ones to be safe! i had to wreck the previous ones but thankfully all 4 shocks had mounting hardware with them.

[pantera77]

I feel special. Even my cheap Gabriel Ultra's came with new bottom bolts.

[87gtVIC]

Very good. If need be my local AZ does in fact have lower shock HELP hardware.

[87gtVIC]

Just undercoated the front wheels wells on my car. Removed the wheels and cleaned up everything real good and sprayed them. I used RustOleum Professional undercoating. It came out good and covered well, but 15 ounces was not really enough. It made it okay but I would have liked more out of each can. Each wheel well took a full 15 ounce can! Next up are the rears once I pick up some more undercoating. I underestimated lol.

Maybe even pick up the shock HELP kit as well at AZ tomorrow.

[FatNasty]

Just got caught up up the thread and the vic is looking BEAUTIFUL! Perfect mirror shine on the paint. The whole front end looks completely mint. Underhood is looking super clean as well. Excellent work! Glad you stuck with the vinyl top, they look good new. Keep up the good work!

[87gtVIC]

Thanks Mark.

The underhood is not bad. Nate would still ring me by the neck though if he saw it in person. Lots of compound is dried on everything. The paint does help though make you miss it all. I just went over everything with a rag before the pictures to remove the dried compound.