DAY 9: Springs

We're getting a little tired of taking things off, but we can't repair the shock towers with those springs and shocks in the way.  Regardless of the videos that said the Ford lower shock bolts are tough to manipulate, we had no issues there.  Then we got to try out the coil spring compressor we rented (Autozone loaner. If you return it then you get all your money back).

Fun.  Mostly because it's rumored to be dangerous.

As useful as the coil spring compressor was, the pitman arm puller was useless.  I suspect we got the wrong size because we had no luck with it and resorted to a big hammer.  Then we could get good access to the shock towers on both sides.

And then we looked closer and saw this

Sad face

So, as it turns out we are going to try to just patch the shock towers.  We're going to have to patch the tops of both (significantly on the drivers side) and the low parts on the frame rails.  But if we're successful then we can avoid the cost and extra drilling and welding of replacement shock towers.

Eli did some cleanup work, but we need smaller cups and pads on our "wizzy wheel" grinder for the frame rail cleanup.

We're excited to finally put something ON the car rather than take things off.

Today cost: nothing

Total project cost: $2,048.31