So the spring install went off without much of a hitch. This included installation of front strut tower reinforcement plates and replacement of the upper strut bearings, as well as a replacement of the front sway bar mount bushings while I was in there.
What didn't go off without much of a hitch was replacement of the rear trailing arm bushings (RTAB). Yes there are many how-tos out there as to drilling it out, pressing it out with found items, burning it out (yikes!), etc... I was able to get them out without issue, but no over-the-counter press or homemade tool allowed me to easily get them re-installed. Because I'm stubborn, and was already told to do so before I even started, I stopped with the install and bought the tool.
Kids - Always buy the tool.
All in all I think the car looks great, and the ride is only diminished by some additional harshness. Yes it does hit bumps a bit harder, but the more noticeable thing is the road vibration. I realize that you have to give up something to get something, so really, the tradeoff seems more than worth it.
