Installing new springs

[Blitzen]

Hey Guys. I was just wondering if any of you guys have replaced your stock Polo springs with aftermarket ones BY YOURSELF? My main query is whether you have any dramas with the Mcpherson struts at the front, and it it is just a straight Strut out/old spring off/new spring on/strut back in affair, or if there is any little quirks the Polo may have?
The rear springs look pretty straight forward. I have access to Spring Compressors, so that isn't a problem.

[MINTpolo]

Hey mate,

Something i posted in another thread a while ago after my own home-install:

INSTALLING SPRINGS

Rear is a 10min job, no interior trim to remove! (unlike my old car)

Left front is not too bad, just have the tricky bit of spreading the clamp that cradles the strut base and then wiggling the strut up and out. Use an old screwdriver and hammer it into the clamp to spread it apart.

Right front = complete PITA. Because of the long driveshaft on that side, theres not enough room to get the spring/strut assembly out of the clamp. This means u have to either drop the front subframe to get more leverage (tricky option i wanted no part of) or do what i did which is kinda dangerous and time consuming, and that was to compress the spring while it was on the car so i had enough room to get the strut up and out. An extra pair of hands and a rattle gun help alot.

Oh, i forgot to mention that the struts held on at the base by a tamperproof high tensile bolt so u need a good pair of vice grips. Also, the strut clamp that you have to spread to get the strut out requires a "special tool." i just used an old flat brade screw driver which worked a treat. Any online DIY guides for mk 4 golf's/ jettas you can find are worthwile reading because the suspension is essentially the same.

Also, if you search online for guides to install springs on mk IV jettas or mk IV golf's, it is exactly the same proceedure.

Hope that helps

[Blitzen]

Sweet as. Cheers for that mate...There is always something that likes to rear its ugly head and spoil the party. I'll weigh up my options and see how i go.

[Jmac]

Guys there is a special tool to spread the clamp, an eccentric socket. Screw driver a bit rough, but whatever makes you tick.
Jmac

[MINTpolo]

yeah, I agree about that, however we came across this half way through the install so we had to find something to spread the clamp, something we could easily remove afterwards also, so a screwdriver it was.

[Jmac]

Fair enough mate and its your car after all hey.
Cheers