Tristin

You might be able to pry that rubber piece off the bottom of the arm... then slide the bottom of the spring out and then down. Otherwise youre going to have to disconnect the half-shafts to get them out.

Will do. I just got out of lunch and the movies with the girlfriend (its her birthday) so Ill be taking a look at it soon. Luckily I can hit the movies with a rock from my house so we just walk.

Guilty as charged. I don't ever surf specifically for it, but if I stumble upon something good I bookmark it to share later with you guys. Just trying to do my part.

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I believe you also mentioned that your brother was familiar with cars? When you get the manual, read a section over a few times to where you think you have a decent understanding. Say the front suspension... Look over the diagrams, learn how a shock works, why is there a spring, whats a MacPherson strut/wishbone suspension, and then ask your brother for some help. Go outside, jack the car up and take the front wheel off. Then have him point out parts and pieces while you discuss what you learned in the manual and online. That will give you some hands on experience without tearing into something you cant put back together. Im sure if you show a genuine interest and your brother really is into cars (and just isnt pretending), then he would be more than willing to help you learn. It may take for you to do his share of the lawn cutting one day, or you might have to buy him lunch, help him change his oil whatever... but he should help. Next thing you know, youll be on your way to working on the car yourself.

Good. Everyone has to start out somewhere, but this thread is going to get ridiculous if not only do we have to answer every basic Datsun question you have, but every basic car question you have as well. I know youre new to both so no one is hating on you, but for your benefit (and ours) I would do as much reading as possible by spending a lot of time in the manual when you get it and on the internet trying to learn the basics of cars. How does an internal combustion engine work? Whats the basic flow path for the ignition system? How does a carburetor work? How does all of that fit together to make an engine run? How does a basic car suspension work? All of these you should be able to answer before you tear into the car. Id hate to see you injured, you injure someone else, or you lose hope in the car and scrap it because your knowledge isnt up to par and youre in over your head.

Those are them. All cars use shocks... you already have them. Reading a lot of your replies and learning your knowledge base for cars... I would suggest you pick up a manual and read it quite a few times to learn the basics of the area youre working on. I would also Google whatever area youre trying to work on as well so you can get a general idea of how a car is put together and what each component is for. I would feel safer for yourself, other motorists, and the Datsun if I was 100% that you knew what you were doing before you tore into it.