[V8] Simple basic stupid question to which I probably know the answer....

[Roger Woodbury]

Well, it is drawing up to the point that I will need front struts for the
V8.  I suspect that the rears should be replaced also, as I am quite certain
that they were installed in Germany in May of 1990 by the elves in the
forest.

So, I have been looking around to see what prices for struts and rear shocks
look like.  Konis and Bilsteins are...well...shocking.  Monroe sensamatics
are intriguing, and I have yet to find prices for Boge, which might end up
being what I will use.

I am almost wondering if I can do this myself.  The last time I tried to do
a set of shocks was on my BMW 1600 Alpina a long time ago, and without a
spring compressor, it was a nightmare that ended up being finished in a
guy's race car prep shop.  So, the automatic first question:

1.  will I need to compress the spring and remove the entire strut to
replace the inserts in front?  

2.  How hard will R&R of the rear shocks be, and will the spring need to be
compressed for that as well. 

In the end I may not have time to do this project at all, as we may be
moving, but I thought I'd ask.  Task time is around mid June, I would
imagine.  

Also, when I washed the car last week, I found that the right front center
cap has gone awry.  I dunno how or when that happened, as I last washed the
car earlier in March.  I use a do-it-yourself car wash, so I get to examine
the whole car while I wave the wand around.  It makes me angry that I have
an ugly hole in the center of the wheel, with the bracket still sitting
there...pretty ugly.  But then I never did like the flat faced wheels, and
maybe this summer, cash willing, there will be some new wheels on the car as
well.  Maybe a nice set of OEM basket weaves, although I am somewhat taken
by some of the TSW wheels I have seen.  

Ah.  The sickness continues!

Roger