Toyota: Help replacing Struts and shocks

With 2 teen age daughters I do as many repairs myself as I can $$$$$$
I plan on replacing struts and shocks this weekend on an 88 Plymouth
sundance (I know this is toyota but better/quicker answers here. this
is my only none toyota car).

I'm looking for any advice / suggestions / warnings.
fist time doing struts.

Looks pretty straight forward in the manual.

I have good spring compressors.
Am I correct that I'll need an alignment afterwards?

Also looking for advice on where to place the jackstands under the
car? I have a manual but it doesnt tell you where to put the jack
stands. I havent been able to find this info anywhere???
I dont want to damage anything.

TIA

Steve

Pop <com> painstakingly pecked in
news:com:
 


Leave the top three small bolts done up until the bottom is free of the
suspension. DON'T undo the big nut in the middle. You do that with the
strut out and the spring compressed.

Don't break open the hydraulic hoses unless you absolutely have to.
Sometimes it is possible to hacksaw a slot through the flange on the strut
body, bend the flange aside and pull the hose free. Hacksaw a slot in the
new strut body flange and reassemble in reverse order.

Get a big screwdriver to help you lever out the bottom of the strut from
the lower control arm. It will probably be stuck pretty good. Use the same
screwdriver to lever the holes into alignment when you go to put the bolts
back in on re-installation.

Take care not to let the brake disc fall over while you wrestle with the
bottom of the front struts. If it falls over far enough, you will pull the
inner CV joint apart.

Put a piece of cardboard between the strut and the inner fender, so you
don't scratch the paint while wiggling it out.

You may not need the spring compressor for the rear springs, just a helper
to push the spring cap down so you can remove the big nut at the top.

Each one you do will get easier and faster as you learn.

Put any rubber pieces or padding back where you found them. This is what
will help keep your suspension quiet.

Yes, you will need an alignment.
 


Put the stands in the same location as you would put the emergency tire-
changing jack. Often under the rocker panels immediately inboard of the
wheels. Failing that, look under the car at the subframe in roughly the
same location. You will often see the paint torn up where garages have put
the hoist pads. You can put the stands there.

Good luck.

--
TeGGeR®