lowering springs installation Options

[dlx742]

how hard is it to install springs. is it something i could do in a day or a weekend. what special tools do i need i.e. spring compressor, etc... can i do this myself or should i just give in and take it to a shop and pay some dude to do it for me

[Chanh55]

Not very hard at all, just time consuming. You could probably do it yourself, it'll take you the whole day.

I would probably ask a buddy for a hand. The only special thing you'll need is the spring compressor like you said.

[celicarus]

i had installed drop zone coil overs once - it took me the whole day - because it was my first time - really don't need sprint compressor -

but when i switched to the tein SS damper - it took less than 3 hrs to do - after that you should get a full alignment

[dlx742]

do i need a control arm puller?

[celicarus]

not to install springs

[dlx742]

so all i need is to take off shock/ strut assembly, compress spring. take it off. put new spring on. reassemble. and put it all back on?

[celicarus]

so all i need is to take off shock/ strut assembly, compress spring. take it off. put new spring on. reassemble. and put it all back on?

yep - though in order to get to it - you will have to remove the caliper from the disc - there are only 2 bolts (the biggest ones) to remove- but don't disassemble the brake components - leave as is - hint on the caliper - release your e- brake - other wise it won't budge

[Celicav]

Check out Mynzeyes installation instructions in the How To section.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

make sure you have a breaker bar handy, or if you have air tools. use them. they help alot.

[forkee]

http://www.geocities.com/nonregistereduser/coilover.html

something i wrote up years ago

[soulshadow]

If your asking the question than you should really take it in to the shop. I almost lost my index due to being stupid and my dad seemed to have followed the same route that I did too. So at the end there was two mechanics with bruised index fingers that could have been cut off.<-----this was the very first time I ever changed out my struts on a camry.

[afroman]

i followed the how to. my dad and i did it in 3 hours or so. not really that hard.
-Aaron-

[dlx742]

yah i know... im just the stupid kid trying to figure it out though, you have to learn somehow

but of course my dad will be there to help... he has restored a few cars so he knows how to do all the stuff. i just want to learn how to do it myself instead of my dad doing it for me

[afroman]

he really didnt do it for me. he helped get plastic panels out of the hatch and helped get the wheels off, other than that i did most of the work. we have a spring comprssor i didnt have to go anywhere. he just made it so things went faster. dont think becuse someone helps you you are less of a man. f*ck that. do whats most efficent.
-Aaron-

[playr158]

you don't need a spring compressor cause our stock suspension when removed barely has pressure on it (it will pop like 6" maybe)

i did a full coilover setup in about 4 hours first time...like stated above...follow the how-to it tells all

[Galcobar]

However, a coilover is easier to reassemble, from what I've read of coilover-how-tos, than the separate spring and strut combination.

The rears are certainly less compressed than the fronts once pulled, but are still somewhat difficult to set correctly without a compressor. Mind you, I don't have a lot of weight to bring to bear on them.

I know that to correctly seat my front upper spring perches, I had to really crank the compressor down. The fronts can be dangerous, particularly when removing the stock springs.

I could rent one for C$21 a day, or buy one for C$42. I bought one, since this was a multi-day project (was doing more than just a spring install) and knowing I'd be doing it later to a friend's car.

[dlx742]

yah i <3 autozone because all i have to do is leave a deposit to use the compressors

[Celicav]

If we do the install ourselves, you just need to make sure you go to a good shop afterwards and get a full wheel alignment, right?? (fyi - I plan to install the H&R springs that drop 1.3" to 1.4"). Thanks!

[playr158]

yea make sure you get a full alignment and you should be set to go

[Celicav]

yea make sure you get a full alignment and you should be set to go

Man, you are the f*ckin man, helping me out at like 2 AM Est. Standard time. Sorry, I'm just a little buzzed. VA rocks!

[playr158]

yes VA RULES!!!!!

[afroman]

yes VA RULES!!!!!

no VA= the post office eats packages j/k dan
i didnt get an alignment when i did my springs the first time and i didnt notice a difference in drivability or tire wear. i since have had one and i noticed no dif.
-Aaron-

[dlx742]

ive heard both sides to this story

a porsche mech said no

a civic ricer dude said ya

so...

[purplegt4]

VA rocks!

agreed.

[cg97]

sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but, you say you do not need a compressor to get the springs off, so i am also assuming that you do not need one to put the new ones on? correct? thanks

[LewFX]

you only really need a spring compressor if your putting your stock springs back on, any lowering springs dont need one, or if your taking off stock ones off. just be careful on the fronts because that top nut will fly. pb blaster every bolt too, some of those bolts are stubborn.

[Cutrara]

Fronts are easy. One day when I was spraying my calipers and drums, I sprayed all the bolts with WD-40 while the wheels were off. A couple days later, when I attempted it, I ended up stripping the sway bar end link bolt. I took it to a garage to have them finish it up.

[LewFX]

Fronts are easy. One day when I was spraying my calipers and drums, I sprayed all the bolts with WD-40 while the wheels were off. A couple days later, when I attempted it, I ended up stripping the sway bar end link bolt. I took it to a garage to have them finish it up.

i havent touched my front sway links yet, if i do get new sways, im worried about stripping them, might get new ones just in case.

[bufferdan]

You really dont need spring compressors like some are saying... ive done it about 4 times without them.

Remove the Front Top nuts with the struts still in the car because they are compressed alittle so it will pop loose The rears are barely compressed and are fine to remove off the car. Putting the lowering springs only need alittle push on the top strut mounts to get the top nut back on.

Alignment doesnt seem to be a problem when lowering our cars. I went ahead and did mine after i lowered it and it wasnt even off enough to make a difference (it was probably off that little bit before i even lowered it). We just lowered my G/f's celica and everything seems to be fine. We dont plan on getting a alignment done unless we notice uneven tire wear later on.

[tovejas]

when installing coilovers, do you need to do alot of grinding to get the coilover sleve to fit? just doing some research.