Rep Power: 142

After 10 years my car has been making creeks, squeaks and rattles so it's time for an overhaul. Replaced the control arms, sway bar links, struts and rear shocks. Here are some photos and comments regarding this project.



Project Start Point



Top Strut Access - type of wrench required depends on which of the 3 nuts that are being accessed, the rubber tab being held down is always in the way.



Removed Top Strut



Sway bar link removal - Allen wrench required, this applies to the rear shocks as well, not shown.



Hub moved back to access rear control arm bolt, support the hub on blocks.



Napa Strut Compressor, better designed spring compressor than most.



Tightening top strut bolt, hey it worked well.



New control arm - pictures not shown of sway bar link and strut installation.

 
Rep Power: 518

Do the pics work for you now?

 
Rep Power: 142

Yes, thanks for inserting the pics from the links provided.

 
Rep Power: 142

So after 2 long Saturday's doing this suspension overhaul project with my brothers help I got curious about how much was saved by doing this ourselves. Here's the details. A quote today 02/05/16 from a local Honda Dealer:

$550 Rear Shocks
$774 Control Arms
$291 Sway Bar Links
$849 Struts
$108 Alignment
__________________
$2,570 Total

My costs:
$560 Above involved parts
$85 Alignment via competing Dealership coupon
_________________________________________
$645 Do It Yourself Total

$1,925 SAVINGS!

It wasn't an easy job and will make you appreciate the skill of a good Mechanic. I've been turning wrenches since I was a teenager on the side. I am an Engineer by occupation and am still turning wrenches in my mid 50's. Now it's more to save money, until I am able to start my retirement project car A word of encouragement for those beginning and continuing to turn wrenches. Now I owe my brother help working on his modified Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.