Bif powell

I have my H&R springs and on the front I can get the strut assembly out, but I can't get my spring compressor around enough coils to get slack - even tightened all the way up. I have NO idea how I'm going to get the new springs on. Is there a different kind of spring compressor I can use?... (or a trick?)

The rears are the same deal, but I feel like I can use a floor jack to compress the springs, remove some bolts, and slowly let it out enough to get the spring out and get the new one in, jack it into position, reinstall bolts.

Those fronts have me stumped.

Thanks!

Bif powell

My fronts are more like non-adjustable coil-overs - I can't get my compressor around enough coils before hitting the spring perch/hat to release/install the springs. Also the rods that run along the side hit those perches making it a major pain to deal with. Your link was informative/interesting, but only so helpful in my situation.



Maybe I can use the car and a jack in some way?

Eurocharged Rick

i have the same spring compressors that i used on my H&R springs...you need to grab the springs up one more coil(toward the top of the spring perch)...it is a tight fit, but it will work with some manipulation of the spring compressors in just the right position...you will have to push the rubber protective peice on top out of the way in order to get a wrench or socket on there to compress the spring compressors...

it is the only way you will be able to get the springs on that i know of with those spring compressors...if you want, give me a call, i stay up late...281-787-9691

Eurocharged Rick

John,

good to talk to you...Good Luck with the Install!

rlee02135

what about those clamshell compressors...will they work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/McPhe...24692262QQrdZ1

Bif powell

1fast - ditto, many thanks for the help!

rlee - unsure, but someone did suggest those to me - 1fast gave me some tips on dealing with this, I'll report back with my results

Zeppelin

Just remember that even if you get those off, it will be twice as difficult getting the new H&R's on. The springs will not compress evenly with just two of those compressors. You will either need more than two compressors or I would suggest taking them to a shop that has a wall mounted clamshell type.

Bif powell

Now I'm on 3 coils, but there is no slack at the top - seems dangerous to remove it yet at this point. Opinions?

As far as getting them back on - I'll cross that road when I come to it

rlee02135

my shop wanted $40 a piece to swap springs.
at that price, why not just pay them to install?

Bif powell

It's much more about learning to do it. Even if it were free I would be trying to do it myself

Zeppelin

If you must do it yourself then buy another set of spring compressors and use one of them on the opposite side of those two. That's the way I did mine.

Bif powell

That's not bad advice - there is definitely some compression that could be done on that side.

Thanks!

rlee02135

where did you buy your compressors?

TruTaing

bif, I think if you've got three coils compressed like that you should be fine to take off the hat. I had it compressed like that when I removed the spring (to remove the hat) for my coil over install. I thought it was gonna go shooting out a lil bit, but it didnt even do anything.... I had one person rotate the hat off while another person held the assembly down, just incase, but nothing happened! (We just made sure neither of us stood over the thing while we took off the hat though)

GL!

rlee02135

if you guys haven't bought the $36 strut tool from MB yet, this one is a bit cheaper:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWD1V

Eurocharged Rick

good find! wish i would have had this when i did my springs...

the way you have the spring compressed is fine bif, you have unloaded it enough where it won't do anything...

Bif powell

"Domination through superior firepower."

Turns out the first ones I had were some girly-*** spring compressors. At the hick store they have truck stuff

These just fit around the hat/perch better.

Bif powell

I have one - got it at the dealer though - wasn't nearly that much though IIRC - looking for receipt.

Eurocharged Rick

NICE!

Bif powell

Finally got it done - just about 20 minutes ago.

Many thanks to everyone, especially 1fast for the tips and tricks; I did everything you told me to do and it pretty much worked just like you said it would - I had some improvising variations, but otherwise about the same procedure.

Pics of this drop sometime maybe this week?...dunno, going to be extremely busy, but I'll try. Drove it around a little tonight - feels awesome, very excited to get new tires.

Thanks again 1fast!

TruTaing

Thats awesome... super safe w/ three clamps on there :P

Bif powell

4!!!

I would grab as far up as I could, and then compress which would expose another area I could grab and eventually the strut went slack.

Eurocharged Rick

hey, glad i could be of help and glad you got it done!!!

now enjoy the car, you have earned it...

Fifth Ring

Any idea what the red/white stripes on the spring signify?

Bif powell

Gotta be some signal about stiffness/rate, etc...? Something like that on the rears as well.