[jime]

1.75 hrs billed for removal of old and install of new rear springs and shocks, at my local repair shop.

Though modest by shop standards, even that seems excessive. For an experienced mechanic it should be just minutes, but any shop is going to charge an hour.

Just lift, put a screw post under the axle, whiz out two lower shock bolts, drop axle and remove/replace. On a lift it can be done almost as fast as I can write about it

On the ground, jackstands in back, floor jack under the axle, then same. Caution, the jack is just to hold the axle in place to remove the shock bolts. Will have to lower the axle an inch or so. DO Not jack an Insight by this method. A short length of 2x4 on top of jack will spread the jack load if you are concerned.

 

[Joule]

Unfortunately, no lift in sight. Jackstands for this one.

I would consider this for Fall mid-Atlantic maintenance day, but . . .

I am swapping from one car to another, so it will be a bit of a fire drill for me.

 

[Joule]

Ok, and what if I want to change the rear springs at the same time?

I have a set of spring compressors and have redone several Volvo front suspensions using them.

 

[Rainsux]

You just pop them out while you're doing the shocks. No spring compressor needed. Easy Peasy. The hardest part is jacking up the car.

Sam

 

[Joule]

Got it. Thanks Sam.

 

[Joule]

Preliminary impressions of Scott's uprated rear springs are favorable. Too me, they make the car feel more firmly planted on the road. Like I said, first impression after a 20 minute ride. I'll post more after I've lived with them for a while. Speed bumps will be the real test. But my deeply rutted, hilly gravel driveway is another and they were fantastic on that.

 

[Rainsux]

For me the best test is bridge approaches. It doesn't hit the bump stops anymore. I have them in any Insight that I'm going to spend any time driving. The cars without them just feel loosey goosey. The front springs make it even better.

Sam

 

[czach]

Hm. I just picked up a set of rear shocks/dampers and was going to put them in this weekend. Do I have to remove the wheel, or can I be totally lazy and just pull the bolts with the car rear on stands+jack on the axle?

 

[Rainsux]

No need to remove the wheels.

Sam

 

[KLR3CYL]

You can be lazy, to install shocks in the rear, it is not necessary to remove the wheels. You will need a 14mm device, for the upper 2 bolts a swivel socket or universal joint makes life much easier. I also recommend about a 12” extension for either your ratchet or impact gun.

Scott

 

[Joule]

Scott's advice on the universal joint and long extension for the upper shock bolts is spot on.

 

[Willie Williford]

As a Senior senior citizen, I like the "ratchet or air impact gun" part. LOL
(New Meds)

 

[czach]

You can be lazy, to install shocks in the rear, it is not necessary to remove the wheels. You will need a 14mm device, for the upper 2 bolts a swivel socket or universal joint makes life much easier. I also recommend about a 12” extension for either your ratchet or impact gun

Thanks! I have both (impact, extender, and joint) so I'll crawl under tomorrow and see how it looks.

 

[czach]

Well, jacked the car rear up by the jack point, put a jackstand behind the rear wheel on the frame to bumper tube, and popped off one of the shocks. I can see why you need a universal joint to remove, and having air tools got the lower bolt out.

However the shocks I got from Autoparts store were.... wrong. Wrong length, wrong mount at the top, etc. The shocks are shot, I can squeeze them and they don't move back out at all. Oh well. What's the best place to get the GAZ dampers and does anyone have the part number?

I'll see if I can get Scott's kit by next weekend. The springs are probably similarly shot as well....

 

[KLR3CYL]

Good morning,
I normally have GAZ shocks, however I’m currently out of stock. It might be 2-4 weeks before they are here. There are 2 of us in the U.S. that carry them and we are both out, as we share inventory.

Scott

 

[*sean*]

I have had Scott's springs in the back of one car for about a year, and I've just ordered both front and back for another. Scott, check your PayPal!!! (i'm excited)

 

[czach]

Ah ok. Well it's not going to get any worse and the old shocks (hah) are back in. Let me know the cost and such and I'll paypal you the money.

 

[Saxjonz]

Ok, you guys...you got me to order a set of springs for my car and a set of gaz rears.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Joule]

You won’t be disappointed.

 

[*sean*]

Ok, you guys...you got me to order a set of springs for my car and a set of gaz rears.
Thanks for sharing.

I enjoyed gradually making the Gas shocks tighter and tighter. I found that the car tracked much better after the shocks were added.