HondamanXxX

Is it safe to install springs without a spring compressor? Will it damage the springs at all?

ke98248

iTrader: (1)

You need a spring compressor to compress a spring when you are going to take it out from a shock.. You also need a spring compressor when you are going to install the springs, unless they are lowering springs or adjustable coil overs.. Then they are small enough to fit on. I just got the top hat and other pieces on over one of the four lowering springs on my friends aftermarket shock and pressed down to get the nut on top to screw on.

If it's neither, yes, you do need a spring compressor. How else were you thinking of installing it?

HondamanXxX

Well my buddie installed my Eiback Pro-Kit and I was told he didn't use a spring compressor. I was not there to see how it was installed but I am just curiouse if it would effect the springs at all.

HondamanXxX

12:00 bump. Send me to the top

yoffer

You dont "need" a spring compressor. I did mine myself without one. If your taking one off the shock, get two tires (preferably the ones off your car) lay the shock assembly with the spring on flat on the ground between the two tires, put a allen wrench on the top nut of the shock and slowly unscrew the shock until it pops off. Since its wedged inbetween the two tires, nothing will come flying off and the tire will keep it from moving. I did it this way to save a few bucks. I would only reccomend this if your installing lowering springs, if your not then you will need a spring compressor to get the stock spring back on, if not just put the lowering spring on the shock and get one of your buddys to push down on the top cap of the shock absorber while you screw the nut back on. This is the way i do it so to each his own.

egsleepercivic

get a spring compressor to take off the springs, so you don't kill yourself, it may or may not be need to install the new springs

gl

yoffer

you've probably never done it that way. But if your unsure of doing it the way i do then go and rent a spring compressor from autozone for 25 bucks, you'll get the money back when you return it.

D16Z6_turbo

Just go rent one from your local auto parts store. It's free, they charge you up front but refund every penny when you return it.

Libertariat

If I can't get a spring compressor my brother and I usually duel at 10 paces. Much further away and we can't hit each other.

It's not THAT important, just don't shoot your car.

If I wanted to be really safe about it, I'd wrap it in a big beach towel and aim it at my fence in my yard. Then loosen the bolt off.

That spring isn't going to kill you, unless you fall 30ft and land your head on it.

seabass10369

I've done springs without a compressor and without shooting nuts across the garage. once you have the car up place a jack under the lower control arm and raise just enough to put pressure on the spring then undo the nut ontop the strut. then lower the control arm that should remove all the pressure on the spring. now granted i did disconnect any sway bars and undo the upper control arm from the spindle to give enough droop to the suspension. installing springs is just the reverse just use the jack to compress the spring. this is real easy on lowering springs not much to compress.

HondamanXxX

Thanks for all the info guys. Has helped a lot.

HCivicSi23

There is two things we need to adress. The first is the spring and the second is the shock. The shock will compress when pushed against, along with the spring, but the spring will provide ridgetity and push the shock back to the full length position again.

You will have a coil over suspenson system, so your spring will sit over your shock. This is a solid assembly and is not ment to be disassembled. Some people perfer to switch there springs and keep the same shock and in order to do this, you have to get the original existing spring off. There are ways of doing this and the main way is with a spring compressor. You will have to compress the spring and relase the shock and slide the spring out. If done incorrectly, the spring will have enough unloading force to hurt you pretty bad. In some cases at least. The condition of the coilover is a big factor in this.

You can also replace the whole coilover system with a TEIN system or Ksport etc. this is more desirable, but its a personal preferance. It is alot easier to switch a coilover system with a coilover system and you will not need a spring compressor because the whole coilover will stay together and will not need to be taken apart to take it out.

Hopefully this helps and I'm sure you knew this already. But if anything, go to a local auto store like Auto Zone or Pep boys and you can rent a spring compressor. They will have you put money down, but you will get all of it back when you return it. Hopefully this helps

HondamanXxX

Sure does. Ty

HondamanXxX

Another question for you guys. Is it ok just to cut the springs inorder to take them out?

Midori Green

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondamanXxX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Another question for you guys. Is it ok just to cut the springs inorder to take them out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

cutting them should not be necessary.... and i never used a spring compressor in my life and ive done a lot of suspensions for my friends and stuff.... sometimes u just have to go back to the backyard technique

HondamanXxX

Do you think it would be a problem if you cut them or it doesn't matter much?

HCivicSi23

I personally would not cut the spring. It can still unload when you cut through it. Are you just replacing the springs or the whole coil over?

97Ej6mike

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HCivicSi23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I personally would not cut the spring. It can still unload when you cut through it. Are you just replacing the springs or the whole coil over? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea, not the smartest thing to do. Best bet, Like EKforeverGuy said, just use a beach towel or large tarp/blanket, and wrap it. It doesnt shoot that far, just dont aim it at the car or your little sister if they are in the area. Aim into an open area, and just set it free, just keep hands clear. (can get some nasty bruises if you arent careful, lol)

Also, ive heard of people using C-clamps on the springs, so when it unloads, it doenst shoot out. Only problem there is that if you actually hook it around the coils, when the spring unloads, unless you have other clamps handy, its compressed on there with it, and wont come off, unless you have some unnatural man-bear-pig form of stregnth and can compress springs with your bare hands.

HondamanXxX

Just replacing the springs.

HCivicSi23

I would honeslty not try and cut the spring, nor try and remove it form the shock. I would say the smartest thing to do is save your money and buy a coilover kit with adjustable dampening or something. But if you are just replacing the spring... Take the coilover out all together and then place it in a vice to hold it steady, attatch the spring compressor on opposite sides of the spring and then tighten it down a decent amount. After you have done that, you'll have to come up with a way to remove the spring from the shock that supports it and allow a new spring to go on it.

The only way I could think of is by releasing to pressure in the shock with an allen wrench, but even that I doubt would work. After you get the spring off the shock though, slowly loosen the spring compressor and that should not allow the spring to expand rapidly.