How difficult is it for a novice like myself to install Belltech drop spindles? Do I need any special tools other than a floor jack? Any details, advice or tricks would be most helpful!

Thanks

Not a job to be taken litely. Need ball joint tools, spring compressor, pickel forks, tools for tie rod end, just to mention a few. You get that far into it, you should do a-arm bushings and what ever else it may need, >>> more tools, ect ect. Some are straight forward to do, but then again, another car of the same year / make / model can turn into a nightmare. Unless you know for sure what your doing, and how to do it, as well as having the proper tools available, recomend you have it done.
I have seen coil springs rip through a fender and still go through the metal
side of a building. Think what that could do to flesh and bones.
Give it to the professional, with the equipment to do. Not bad cost wise, shop around and use your head, after all a spring could take it. Not trying to scare you, and not saying you couldn't do the job, only you know your limatations. Think about it, just don't jump into it.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn18/coyoteon2/CamaroBuildIMG0010.jpghttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn18/coyoteon2/102-0280_IMG-1.jpg

Don't be afraid to try. I got a spring compressor from my local Auto Zone for free. If all you re doing is spindles, the reality is they are held in place by only 2 nuts per side. If you're doing bushing, ect., it's a lot more involved.

Wrap a good chain through the spring and A-arm, before breaking the ball joints loose. This will prevent the spring from taking flight to unknown regions, including your head or other vital body part.

I'm about to install my springs (ZQ8 1.5" drop) soon, and I also have the compressor from autozone. anyone have advice about using the compressor? I guess the only way to remove it once the spring is installed is to disassemble the tool?

not trying to threadjack, just trying to help us both out :D

If it's like the one I got from them, it worked from inside the spring and it had "hooks" both top and bottom, with a long bolt running between them. To remove, put them as far apart as possible on the spring. Tighten the bolt until you get tension off the control arm (an impact wrench really helps here, but it can be done with a ratchet), loosen the top spindle nut and remove the bottom nut. Back the bolt off all the way until the spring is released. Reinstall in the opposite manner. Note that the lower control arm has a hole in the spring pocket. The end of the coil must sit in that hole so as to drain the water should any get in there. If you don't already have one, a generic G body Chiltons manual has step by step instructions and torque specs. If I can do it, anyone can. It's not rocket science.

Oh yeah, don't forget the spring isolator in the upper spring pocket.

It worked for me........

I'm about to install my springs (ZQ8 1.5" drop) soon, and I also have the compressor from autozone. anyone have advice about using the compressor? I guess the only way to remove it once the spring is installed is to disassemble the tool?

not trying to threadjack, just trying to help us both out :D

That's how it's done.