Ryan,

I just finished doing most all my suspension and started like you, with limited knowledge but lots of desire. By the time you finish, it will all make perfect sense.

You will have to use a spring compressor to get at the bushings on the lower control arms of the front end, as well as the smaller rubber parts that connect the "tack" rod (the long rod that goes toward rear of car from front suspension and has a round mount attached to rear fender well. The large lower control arm bushing is a major part that should be replaced while your doing all this stuff. Really, you should just bite the bullit and do everything while you are at it.

VERY IMPORTANT! Be sure you obtain the correct spring compressor. There is an internal one (goes inside spring) that is made for our cars....it works great but unfortuately is hard to come by. You can rent it from Performance Parts in Calif., but by the time you pay freight and cost to rent, thats $130 plus. Gotta have it though. The compressors that go on outside of spring are hard to use and dangerous as they can come off. Serious or fatal results if that happens.

There is plenty of info on this site about redoing suspension so spend time searching archives. Its all here.

I even did the rear semi-trailing arm bushings, which nearly beat me down. A very hard fix for me. In the end, after all this is done, your car will ride and steer so much better that you will not regret the time or expense.

Nic
'85 300CD @ 149k miles