Front end rebuild- difficulty?

[mrlobster]

In reading my replies to my previous post, considering my budget and intention, rebuilding the front suspension and steering and adding a sway bar seems like the best course of action.
My question is, for the inexperienced but willing mechanic, how difficult is it to swap out the springs, tie rod ends, ball joints, shocks and add a sway arm? Are there many specialty tools required?
Thanks for helping a newbie!

[DjS71]

I just finished doing all of this, the only heavy duty item is pressing the lower ball joint in & out. Other than that the springs can be done with a floor jack with the frame on jack stands, and you'll need a tool to separate the pitman arm, idler arm & tie rods from the center link & spindle. and a grinder or chisel to get the rivets off of the upper ball joint. I've got no formal training but it wasn't difficult. Adding the sway bar is a bolt on affair.

Have fun

-Dan

[engineer_gregh]

Be careful. Removing springs can be dangerous! Most Auto Zone stores will loan the needed tools for free. Research YouTube and watch some videos before you start. Getting hurt takes all the fun out of it. Don't mean to sound like a father or Grandfather but I am:-)

[geezer#99]

Next time you're on your way to 'Timmy's" drop in to Lordco and ask those gearheads in there what tools you need and how to do the job.
Better yet, walk in the door with a couple boxes of doughnuts and a tray of java and you'll have more friends than you can shake a pickle fork at!!

[Xeen]

The best advice I can give you is take your time and think about what you are doing.
O'reilly's will loan you the specialty tools you need to do the work.
The springs aren't under a crazy amount of pressure just put a jack under the lower control arm to keep the spring rate under control then let the jack down slowly and your spring wont fly out.