Changing springs.

[Spyda]

I need to change one of my shocks and change all the springs to lowered ones.

I have bought a spring compressor ($21).

I want to know how dangerous it is in regards to using the spring compressor. Everyone is telling me its very dangerous, looking up on the internet i found out a 19yr old died, others saying that the spring should be chained down to something when compressing it, mate telling me not to do it at all..etc etc.

Is it true? Is it realy that dangerous?

Other then that i need to know how far to compress it, whats a safe amount and how the hell do i get the top bolt off. No*19 spaner doesnt fit in the cup to reach the nut properly and I cant use a torque wrench because something has to hold the shaft in place.

[rayray086]

As long as they're used properly, you're clear from danger's way. I'm assuming you bought similar items to the ones in the pic:



If so, make sure they're holding down on opposite sides of the spring and as much of the spring as possible (similar to the pic). Make sure the clamps are secure and in place. Compress each side bit by bit and make sure the pressure is as close to even as possible.

Best routine is to undo the top nut that holds on the top hat (exterior to the strut tower), then undo the bolts that hold the strut onto the hub. Remove the strut, then compress the springs on the ground. Once they're compressed and no longer sitting on the bottom or top perches, remove all the other nuts and remove spring. Installing springs is exactly the reverse of removing them!

[Spyda]

Thanks mate.

Yeah the item is similar to yours.

Would you be able to tell me how long it would take aprox for each corner?

Thanks again mate, great help.

[Peter Jones]

You generally need a special tool or some imagination to undo the strut top nuts.

You only need to compress the spring far enough to release any pressure from the spring seats.

I have used a spark plug socket that had a hex on the top end.I used a spanner on the hex and put an allen key down through the socket to hold the shaft.

These days I use a rattle gun to undo the top nut

Lowered springs don't put much pressure on the seats and can even be loose, so you generally don't even need to compress lowered springs to work on the strut.

I'd allow yourself about 1/2 a day for each end of the car for a first attempt. Once you're experienced and tooled up you should be able to do the job in a couple of hours.

Removing the strut from the steering knuckle will change your camber settings. You can either remove the strut with the steering knuckle attached or mark it up very carefully and put it back exactly the same way.

Pete

[rayray086]

Yeah what Peter said! The last time I had to take out my suspension was to replace the mounts/bearings and it took me no more than 3 hours on my own (pretty damn proud of that ). I didn't have to use spring compressors though as my springs sit low, but it's always a safety precaution.

[Spyda]

Cool cool.

Ill try some imagination but just in case, do you know what the special tool is called. I asked in a tool shop, dont remember which one, and they didnt seem to have an idea of what it was.

How come you use a rattle gun? Isnt it just like a torque wrench just faster?

What does a decent rattle gun set you back?