i'm about to help a friend put some Tein S.Techs on his accord and the autozone spring compressors don't look like they will fit 2 of the springs that are narrow and has quite a bit of coil on them. and many said you don't even need to use a spring compressor.


any special advice/tip for me? thanks.

 

ppl always say to look on honda-tech for good info... seems to me nobody really knows jack.

 

u dont need a one for lowing springs.only when your taking off your stock springs.and btw i dont use on at all.i dont see a need to

i just put the stock shock on the ground with my foot on it losen it till it pops then take it apart.and yea u can hurt yourself so u people that are stuck on stupid i wouldnt advise u trying it this way.

 

yeah the auto zone ones are for larger coils. You have to use a fancy one that kinda looks like a large staple remover. I've put s-techs on my bros car and i really didn't need it but the accord might be different.

 

typically, you just need a spring compressor to disassemble the stock shock/spring. and particularly the front springs only, because the rear isnt preloaded much. this is on a civic/integra. not sure about accords quite frankly.

putting a new aftermarket lowering spring on or off doesnt require a spring compressor because the spring is not preloaded much.

i use these from any parts store for $10-15. to me its worth buying to save the hassle of getting it and returning it.



this one works too, i think its the same one available for rent.


you take off one end of the claw and pry it in between two coils at the top of the spring. then you thread the rod in and the lower claw clamps under the spring perch. you dont have to put it in between the coil. then tighten it down a bit, then remove the top shock nut.

 

if you know what your doing then spring compressors are not required but if this is your first time use the spring compressor. If anything have a buddy who knows what he's doing help you out, the process goes alot smoother trust me.

 

how much are those lil tools to rent normally and how much to buy? also what does a shop generally charge you to take it all apart?

 

You can get the spring compressors with the hook for like $14 at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=3980

 

haha i used a racheting straps to hold my stock springs and shocks. Hey if its strong enouph to pull my car when my clutch cable snapped its strong enouph to hold a spring for a min.

 

personally i hate compressors. they're a hassle. but if this is ur first time please use it. the more u do suspension the less you'll need them. easiest way is to jack the car up then put on the spring compressor and jack up under LCA to get the spring compessed. loosen the bolts and the spring n shock will fall right out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by laocivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">easiest way is to jack the car up then put on the spring compressor and jack up under LCA to get the spring compessed. loosen the bolts and the spring n shock will fall right out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that is the easy way, but too bad it doesnt work with stock springs. only works with aftermarket springs that dont need spring compressor anyway.

the stock springs are too preloaded they wont just fall out. in fact it will make it harder for it all to take apart because it will stop and bind up as the whishbone gets stuck around the axle.

you need spring compressors to remove stock springs. thats it. theres no other way short of letting it fly out into the grass or a tire or something. but thats not recommended...

 

i only use spring compressors for heavier cars like supras, bmw, evo, etc... honda's i just wrap that **** up in 2 towels like a burrito and aim it at dirt or a wall just in case and pop the nut off, the towel always holds it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

that is the easy way, but too bad it doesnt work with stock springs. only works with aftermarket springs that dont need spring compressor anyway.

the stock springs are too preloaded they wont just fall out. in fact it will make it harder for it all to take apart because it will stop and bind up as the whishbone gets stuck around the axle.

you need spring compressors to remove stock springs. thats it. theres no other way short of letting it fly out into the grass or a tire or something. but thats not recommended...</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have been corrected....just use the compressors man. be safe

 

If you want to know a really good way to use a spring compressor to load and unload the spring, you can try this:

Using a bottle jack, compress the lower balljoint at the spindle until you can lift the car, then back off the jack slightly to keep the car on the jack stands. Then, using your spring compressor (assuming you got room to do this), "install" the spring compressors threaded side down and tighten. As you compress the bottle jack, you can hand tighten the spring compressors at the threaded end and once the spring is compressed enough, you can lower the bottle jack and the spring will just be flopping around, ready for removal.

You can repeat the above with installing springs too. Just make sure to tighten the spring compressor evenly. Using an impact gun makes life really easy when loosening/tightening the spring compressors.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abawp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you want to know a really good way to use a spring compressor to load and unload the spring, you can try this:

Using a bottle jack, compress the lower balljoint at the spindle until you can lift the car, then back off the jack slightly to keep the car on the jack stands. Then, using your spring compressor (assuming you got room to do this), "install" the spring compressors threaded side down and tighten. As you compress the bottle jack, you can hand tighten the spring compressors at the threaded end and once the spring is compressed enough, you can lower the bottle jack and the spring will just be flopping around, ready for removal.

You can repeat the above with installing springs too. Just make sure to tighten the spring compressor evenly. Using an impact gun makes life really easy when loosening/tightening the spring compressors.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what kind of spring compressor are you using that you can fit in between the coils of an already compressed spring?? especially while its installed inside the fender?

 

One of these:



Like I said though, that is only if there is room. It works best on a MacPherson strut assembly as the upper control arm might get in the way.

 

I didn't use them to install my coilovers but I did use them to take my stock springs off. And I would use them if I were you.

 

You will only need it to take the stock springs off. But i just left the spring/shock in and and lossened it in there so i would not shot and hit me.

 

from what im figure i would be able to just unbolt the hole stut/spring assembly and then put one of the compressor tools to each side of the spring to hold it so it dont pop and then just unbolt it from the top, take the top hat off and then slowly loosin up the spring compressor on each side then just pull the spring off once it was fully realeased. please correct me if im wrong here. i just got some springs i need to install. also, do i have to compress it while the whole assembly is still installed on the car or am i able to jsut take the hole assembly out then compress it and unbolt it?

 

do it right by taking the shock/spring out first. then use the compressors.

and read a shop manual.

http://media.honda.co.uk/car/o...8.pdf

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do it right by taking the shock/spring out first. then use the compressors.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is nothing inherently wrong (or dangerous) with putting the spring compressors on the springs with the strut assembly still installed. Compressing the spring when the strut assembly is removed is the preferred method as it will work on every coilover-shock style suspension.

 

I wrap the spring/shock combo with a towel. Lay it down on it's side in the grass. Place a good sized box in front of the shock, (backstop to catch flying nut/washer). Slowly remove the top shock nut and the spring will basically pop/jump.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gabebauman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wrap the spring/shock combo with a towel. Lay it down on it's side in the grass. Place a good sized box in front of the shock, (backstop to catch flying nut/washer). Slowly remove the top shock nut and the spring will basically pop/jump.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blinx9900 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> honda's i just wrap that **** up in 2 towels like a burrito and aim it at dirt or a wall just in case and pop the nut off, the towel always holds it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

you and me both brother

 

the few times ive done it, just step on it, hit it with an impact, the shock will pop but ive never seen one actually go more than 3 feet... all on OE civic/teg springs

 

when i was young dumb and full of ***, i used to have somebody stand on the rotor (while everything is tight and still installed on the car) while i loosened the top nut. a lot of anticipation for one short BAM!

never hurt anybody or damaged anything, but don't know if i'd recommend it to somebody who hadn't already thought of it :D