looking for tips on good calipers and suspension parts.

[retrogarage6]

Hey all. Need to do my struts... I have listings for quick struts (intended for swapping from air suspension) for all 4 struts and springs its like $335 free shipping. Anyone know of anything better without killing me on the price? The company i've been thinking about going with is touring tech. Their struts just look more heavy duty, better welds and paint from what i can see.

Any suggestions for a kit no more than $500 I'm open!

Also looking for a good deal on decent calipers. Any companies out there that make a decent affordable caliper? I don't want to throw my money away on ford OEM, and i dont want to get burned for cheap chinese junk either. Lookin for something in the middle. Calipers need to be replaced, they are sticking and just deteriorated, flaking metal and rusted.

Thanks!

 

[FordGate]

I recently swapped my air ride out for traditional shocks/springs and I suggest if you don't have one to get an impact wrench. Those bolts are in there really tight!

 

[retrogarage6]

bolts on my front strut mounts are almost rusted off! so I could prob just chip em off with a chisel haha

but yea i got an awesome deal on calipers from napa, i get a good discount since ive worked at dealerships for 7 years now in parts so fronts cost me 53.99 each and rears for like 62 ea. Napa eclipse calipers that come painted nice in black heavy duty with lifetime warranty. Saw some online for like $41 each, non painted, but I like to buy local because of warranties.

 

[retrogarage6]

anyone know what size hex wrench size for those caliper bolts?

 

[FordGate]

I want to say 18mm.

 

[retrogarage6]

calipers are pretty bad so i hope i can free them with hand wrench because I don't have any sockets for that =X

 

[FordGate]

calipers are pretty bad so i hope i can free them with hand wrench because I don't have any sockets for that =X

Use a long pipe as a breaker bar. Or else connect another wrench to the end of the one you are using. DON'T use a ratchet! It will break the ratchet and possibly injure you when it does! I really suggest you get an impact wrench.

 

[retrogarage6]

the caliper bolts should be ok to get off with the breaker, i use my jack handle but theres also 2 allen bolts and i dont have an extension for that... so i can break out the allens but they are 90 degree wrenches and i havnt tried yet but we'll see!

 

[Ed_Strong]

I actually broke my Craftsman 18MM socket trying to torque this caliper bolts!!! The Repair manual I used called for 140 ft lbs of torque!!! (Seriously). My 18MM socket broke at 130 ft lbs. So I only torqued them to 110 ft lbs for fear of breaking my spare one which wasn't a Craftsman brand.
At least with Craftsman tools I was able to get a free replacement socket. I guess Ill have to invest money on a set of high impact sockets to be able to work on this monster!

 

[retrogarage6]

WOW MAN... was it a haynes manual?? good info, i'll have to watch my torque, especially since i'm always on such a tight budget. But I love it when nuts and bolts come out and go back in together easily!