This is very timely. I am tackling this project next week and parts are coming in next week. I'm debating doing all the work myself or just paying my trusted shop to do it.

Hmmmm

Now I'm leaning towards the shop

 

Trust me Burton, you can do this yourself.

 

^ I hope so, John.... I mean I did the rear shocks on my own, and installed a blower for heaven's sake I hope I can tackle some bolts?... lol

 

If you got as far as to get the strut out you're good, finish the job!

 

I can't believe no one recommended to swap out the oem mounts. Purchase a pair of GT500 mounts. I originally put all the greased bearings back into the oem mounts and drove on them for a month. I decided to swap them out with the GT500 mounts. made a difference in noise + comfort.
I am also on SR springs with Konis

 

Kind of what I was thinking! The only scary part is compressing the springs. I have a healthy fear of that much stored energy held in place with a fairly mickey mouse contraption like a spring compressor!

And because of that fear and not wanting to change the spring mounts out of necessity, I went with the Steeda mounts. My mantra was once and DONE!

BTW the Mustang came out of storage last night and is sitting in the parking lot here at work today. Can I get my man card back?

John

 

Be careful... gt500 mounts, that will only work with 05-10 struts. That's why my options are to reuse the oem strut mounts or get another 11+ mount like the steeda or something else. But it can't be the gt500 mount.

The flip side, I'm thinking about just paying a shop to do it, because then they can do it all right, etc. but more importantly, if something DOES go wrong, say a squeak or clunk or something like that, I can bring it back to THEM and have them troubleshoot and fix it on their dime. On top of that, it's "safe" and I have no fear of getting beheaded or castrated lol.

But dang, $450 bucks for the complete install front and rear including alignment.

 

Depending on the shop labor rate $450 isn't really that far out of line. I'm just too cheap to pay somebody cold hard cash for something I can easily do. I think the 4 wheel alignment cost me $80 but the guy did an excellent job; got it gnats a$$ on. He did what I asked for not what the book said. If you do the install yourself, just make sure you keep the energy pointed away from you, especially the tender areas!

 

One thing about alignments. I took my car to a Firestone. They offer lifetime alignments. It's about 200. That's a lot but if you plan on keeping your car a while, it'll be cheaper in the long run.

 

Please do it yourself. I mean its up to you of course, but just seeing you say spending $450 on labor... imagine what other parts that $450 could go towards???

I did this myself and I had no previous experience. Simply did a ton a research and prep to avoid as many issues or unpredictables as possible, then proceeded to install the parts, handle a few issues, and then boom, done. Do not be afraid of the spring compressor... of course be VERY safe about it, but there's no need to fear it. Just be as safe about it as you would be with being under the car. Also borrow a decent spring compressor that has the little pull out things that will sort of lock the spring in. I borrowed mine from autozone and it was good.

My issue was what you just said... I wasn't aware of the gt500 fitment issues for 11+ shocks... so I ended re-using my stock ones. then I took everything apart again cause I had too much negative camber so I rotated the mounts. I think I did mine like 3 times before it was done lol. I'll probably have to do it again when I install the CC plates eventually. but once you've done it its easy the to do it again. But believe me its VERY simple, definitely not worth paying someone else, especially if you already have the tools necessary.

as part of my prep work I typed up a step by step process with torque specs and everything. if you're interested in it PM me and I can email it to you. It's for a v6, so you might need different torque specs(or maybe theyre the same?) but the process itself is the same.

+1
firestone is awesome!!! they've helped me so much with alignment stuff. But where you went were they able to adjust CC plates?

 

Will have to check out Firestone, sounds like a good deal. My dealer was clueless about my CC plates, so I had a friend show me how to do it myself.

 

firestone is awesome!!! they've helped me so much with alignment stuff. But where you went were they able to adjust CC


They had no problem adjusting my car with the plates on. I did tell them my car had plates so the knew they could put it as close to spec as possible.

 

Depends on the shop's equipment and how far you're lowered. I'm not that low and two shops couldn't take me. The car only cleared by about half inch at the shop I went to.

john

 

This is true. I was lucky. The shop closest to me said they had older equipment that they said worked on lowered cars. The manager told me that the other stores within a 15 mile radius wouldn't be able to take my car. Good catch.

 

Well idk if all firestones can adjust the cc plates.. mine seem confused about them

The one I went to seems confused about them.. first they said yes. then ti spoke directly with the mechanic himself, and he said they basically just follow what the computer says. so since its aftermarket, they cant do it. then I went again today and the manager looking guy said they can do it, or can't, I didn't really understand his respone cause he referred back to the computer again lol. he's cool though cause he loves mustangs and has one himself, awesome guy.

but yeah apparently im going to have to install and adjust them myself, and only use firestone for the alignment checks

my car fits on the alignment machine, barely. they just don't know how to adjust cc plates

 

Update: I ended up taking everyone's advice and cleaning/lubing my loose ***** and replacing them .. However, this didn't happen until after I called 10 dealers looking for stock strut mounts on their shelves.. No luck but one guy made sure to tell me that I might as well upgrade to the GT500's .. "I've done it on my car" he said.. (mind you I had already explained the entire situation AND asked if he had mounts for a 2014 in stock).. If I would've checked back at this thread I would've known they weren't going to fit but instead I had to drive 90 miles roundtrip just to get home and have them not clear the friggin' top of the stock strut. AHH.. So, then I said **** it and put the old one back together. Still can't believe I wasted all that time, effort, and worry.

But thanks to everyone for babysitting me through my first ball explosion. Always good to have a support system.. Seriously though, you're all perverts

 

Same thing happened to be when installing my Roush springs. I picked them up, put it back together with some extra grease and all is good.

 

LOL oh jeez. So your car is back up and running right? Able to return the GT500s to another local dealer?

 

Car is good to go. After I finished the install I took it to the dealer for alignment. Front left was off by 1.25 degrees.. camber bolts fixed that.. Shamefully, I also had them put the rear springs in as I was over it after putting the front suspension back together.. Funny part was driving up there with only the front springs installed, lol, it's only 2 miles from my house but it had to look funny as hell on the road... I should've snagged a few pics

 

oh and I was able to return the GT500's to the original dealer where I purchased them.. Guy was a dick but I put him in his place.. He said..

''I know they fit''.. I said ''please go ask a tech right now if they'll fit a '14 GT''

he goes.. ''oh, you didn't tell me it was a new one..'' ''yeah, we'll have to send you a check in the mail, it'll take a week for the refund''..

Just another reason on my long list of why I despise AutoNation dealers