mark,
the job is pretty straight foward if you are handy with tools.  however, you
will need a spring compressor to compress the springs for shock removal and
especially to reinstal the new shocks.  i did the job without compressor and
learned my lesson.  taking the shocks out was no problem, the pressure from
the springs just released the shocks right out once the bolts were loosened.
  the problem came when it was time to reinstal new shocks.  i had to have
the help of five of my buddies to stand on the door jams to compress the
springs enough to reinsert the mounting bolt.  was not fun! if i had a
spring compressor the job would have took maybe two hours, instead it took
a week so i could round up enough people to help out.  i was to cheap to
"spring" for a compressor. go ahead and buy one or borrow one, you be happy
you did!
good luck!
jason
87 syncro westy project

>From: Mark Cumnock <kayakwesty@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: Mark Cumnock <kayakwesty@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: front shock replacement
>Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 19:20:43 -0500
>
>has anyone got any tricks, that I need to know about before I try to
>tackle replacement of the front shocks, esp. what kind of special tools I
>will need
>
>Mark Cumnock
>I-4 conversion 84 westy

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