Tools You'll Need:
* Jack and Jack Stands: Absolutely essential for safety. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
* Lug Wrench: To remove the wheels.
* Wheel Chocks: Place these behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
* Socket Wrench Set (metric): You'll need various sizes, likely including 13mm, 15mm, and possibly others depending on the specific nuts and bolts on your Regal.
* Ratcheting Wrenches: Makes things much easier than using just open-end or box-end wrenches.
* Pliers (Needle-nose and regular): Helpful for various tasks.
* Torque Wrench: Crucial for tightening the nuts and bolts to the manufacturer's specifications to prevent damage. A torque wrench will prevent over-tightening.
* Shock Absorber Compressor: This is the MOST important specialized tool. Front shocks are under spring pressure, and compressing the spring is dangerous without one. These come in various types (some clamp around the spring, others have a strut that pushes down). Do not attempt this job without a shock compressor. Improperly compressing the springs could lead to serious injury.
* Penetrating Oil (like PB Blaster): Spray this on any bolts that look rusty or stuck before attempting to loosen them. Let it sit for a while to work its magic.
* Wrench for the shock absorber top nut: This size will depend on your specific car. Check your car to be sure of the size.
* Shop Rags or Paper Towels: To clean up grease and oil.
* New Front Shock Absorbers: Make sure you get the correct ones for your '81 Buick Regal. Specify the model and engine type when ordering.
Procedure (General Steps – Consult a Repair Manual for Specific Details):
1. Safety First: Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and use wheel chocks.
2. Raise and Support: Jack up the front of the car and securely place it on jack stands. Remember to remove the wheels.
3. Remove the old shock absorber: This often involves removing a cotter pin or bolt at the bottom of the shock (most likely the lower control arm). Then remove the nut holding the top of the shock to the strut tower using your socket wrench and appropriate compressor.
4. Compress the Spring: This is where the shock compressor is vital. Carefully compress the coil spring to relieve the pressure on the shock absorber. Follow the instructions that come with your shock compressor precisely.
5. Remove the old shock: Once the spring is compressed, you can carefully remove the old shock absorber.
6. Install the new shock absorber: With the spring compressed, install the new shock absorber in the reverse order of removal.
7. Release the spring pressure: Slowly release the spring pressure using the compressor.
8. Reinstall the components: Put the wheel back on and torque all bolts to the proper specifications using your torque wrench.
9. Lower the car and test: Carefully lower the car and test the new shocks. Bounce on each corner to check for proper damping.
Important Considerations:
* Repair Manual: A repair manual specific to your '81 Buick Regal is strongly recommended. It will provide detailed diagrams, torque specifications, and other crucial information. Haynes and Chilton manuals are good options.
* Safety: Working on a car can be dangerous. If you're not comfortable with any part of this process, take your car to a qualified mechanic.
* Parts: Always purchase high-quality parts. Cheap shocks might not perform well or last very long.
This is a general outline. The exact procedure may vary slightly depending on your specific Buick Regal model. Always consult a repair manual for detailed, model-specific instructions before starting the job. Improper installation could lead to damage to your vehicle or personal injury.
