HR front end - ball joints, springs, shocks

[Dave_EH]

G'day,

I have found a shop that can supply upper and lower ball joints and new lowered springs for my HR front for $240 which is well below the price of most other places I've tried.

However, the shop is located on the Sunshine coast (QLD) and I am in Brisbane and my car is not on the road.

Bearing in mind I haven't ever played with springs before, should I buy the gear and get it installed by someone in Brisbane (and never learn how to do it myself), or try and do it myself - will I need a spring compressor and ball joint cracker?  The bloke up the coast quoted $150 including alignment.  How hard is it?

My shocks (pedders) are also ten years old, and while have only travelled 14 000miles have been sitting static for a long while - should I replace them at the same time?

Can someone recommend a brand of shocks (heavy duty I guess) or is reconditioning an option?

Cheers
Dave

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Do it yourself!
You'll save money, have satisfaction and pride in the job plus have better understanding of how you car works.
It ain't brain surgery and with a good shop manual and access to this board, you can't go too far wrong.

If the springs are lowered a fair amount, you may not need a compressor to get them in. I didn't on my HR front end.

Ball joints, depending on the type you purchased, you need to grind off the blind rivets holding the old ones on and just bolt the new ones up.

I stand to be corrected on the above, but that's how I've done it on my car.

[Sarge]

Dave
        Give a crack as Glen said, If you get stuck just sing out. There are plenty of us her to help you out.  You dont need to be a rocket scientist.

Cheers
Sarge

[Dave_EH]

Thanks fellas,
 I'll order the goods and have a go at the end of the month after exams.  I've got a mate keen to help, and I've got the workshop manual so we should give it a good crack.

Cheers
Dave

[Sarge]

Dave
       Great to hear this way you should save a few dollars and its the best way to learn more about your car.

Cheers
Sarge

[SRVLIVES]

While it's true you may not need a spring compressor to put the new lower springs in, ALWAYS USE ONE TO TAKE THEM OUT!!!

A spring suddenly released from it's confines will not treat you kindly.