2012GTCS

Ok, finally getting ready to dive in to install my Steeda Ultralites, Koni STR.Ts, GT500 mounts, FRPP jounce bumpers and BMR PHB on Friday/Saturday. I hate nothing more then getting to a certain point and not having what I need. Just looking for guys to post up some essential stuff they needed or the install. Tools/sizes and accessories/parts, big or small. So far I know Loctite RED 271 and some Mobil 1 grease....thanks!

LEwis26

Beer?

Lol, but seriously:
Struts/Shocks
Springs
Strut Mounts
Bumpstops/Jounce Bumpers
Dust boots if your springs didn't come with them
Spring Isolator sleeves (part on the bottom of spring between spring and strut) if your new springs didn't come with them

That should be all the parts you actually need. As for tools, just wrenches, sockets, etc.

I would recommend using an air impact if you have it. Makes getting the stabalizer bar links and bottom bolts out very, very easy.

Also, put some anti-seize on the lower strut bolts and nuts while you have them apart.


I had to add the spring isolators this weekend to the front of my car since I forget to install them when I did my install, and from tires up to tires down, had it done in an hour. It's not terribly difficult.



Last thing to add would be an alignment when you're done. I get mine done at Firestone, and just buy the lifetime alignment, so I can bring it in there whenever I get new tires, mods, etc.

Hytek

Edit: nevermind, Mike beat me to it lol.

That sounds like my grocery list of parts I'm shopping for lol, except the panhard.

devildog1679

Locktite Red? I used blue, the red would require heat to be applied when removing, about 500 F according to them.

LEwis26

Agreed. Blue is more than enough.

2012GTCS

I had said this originally and several people said use Loctite Red specifically. Good, so that's one less thing I have to get.
Anti-seize on the bolts that attach to the side of the front struts?

My springs have the isolators.
However, I have no dust boots. I wanted to have them separate as opposed to disassembling the factory strut. Anyone know who sells just boots? Ford doesn't...

Also, my koni's only came with the top nut, not the 4 for the top of each. My car has 2300 miles, can I reuse or order new ones? Assuming from
The dealer as they shouldn't be expensive?

LEwis26

Yeah the two lower strut bolts that attach to the spindle. I would use some anti-seize, just to make them easy to get apart if needed in the future.

Dust boots: Not sure, as I reused my stockers.

I reused the stock upper mount nuts. Saw no reason to replace them. Only nuts I replaced in the entire thing were the ones that came with the Koni's.

2012GTCS

Im hoping this thread can be use by other people with questions about the install in the future.

Cool. Yeah mine only came with 1 each, others say they got a bag with hardware.

Any idea of torque values for certain parts?

Hytek

I'm definitely going to refer to this when I do mine.

The panhard I believe is 129lbs, that's at least what the directions said on the BMR I have.

LEwis26

All the torque values are in the service manual available online.

2012GTCS

Cool, I gotta find it and get a link on here.

I'm going with Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease...

Any pointers on what areas should get greased?!

LEwis26

There should be nothing that has to be greased

Hytek

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=710&viewfile=130

devildog1679

129 is correct, I also reused stock bolts and just added 5 ft/lb of torque and used Locktite. One time reuse is fine especially with a low mile car anything more than that you should replace.

2012GTCS

**** that link wont open for me John.

what the hell were these guys thinking in that other thread?? Tub of grease, Red loctite etc.

2012GTCS

Anyone have tips on getting that top 21mm nut off? A lot of stuff I'm running into is saying that's a huge problem and you can't use a wrench or socket and you need an impact gun.

Also does the strut tower need to come off? Cause the Tq rating for those are 19lb and I've heard they have to be pretty accurate. (my wrench starts at 25lb.)

Overboost

What is the correct orientation for the GT500 strut mounts? Which direction are the arrows pointing?

Hytek

Sorry about the link, it worked last time I used it.

Overboost

If you're doing springs & struts together, just leave the old ones in one piece and assemble the other set off of the car. The 21mm nut is much easier to access on the 05-10 and aftermarket struts than it is on the OEM 2011 ones. I had to very carefully use a set of vice grips with protectors on them as high up on the inner shaft as I could to prevent damage to the shaft, and in turn damaging the seal. I was able to break the nut loose, then it was spun by hand after. A strap wrench might also work without damaging it.

LEwis26

Arrows and notches on mine are pointed toward the engine to gain some camber back after the 1" drop.

No noises at all and aligned perfectly.