is puttin in springs easy... i've never done it before but im pretty good with doin stuff myself... i know i need a spring compressor... anything i really need to know.. i got totiko springs and struts for 400$.. and i dont wana wast money on installing them...thanks

 

NOT if your best friend snaps the damper fork pinch bolt AND the rear lower shock bolt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you've never done it set aside at least 6 hours. You will need spring compressors if you're not using new shocks, springs, and upper mounts. I just put on my Tein S-Techs but only got three of the spings on since captain toqulator broke my damn bolts.

 

It is fairly straightforward, but a friend will come in handy for certain steps. As mentioned, the hardest part is probably removing the bolts if they are rusted... you should spray them down liberally and well in advance. By the time you are doing the last spring you should be able to do it in roughly 30 mins, provided nothing breaks.

 

I wouldn't say it's easy, but it's not hard.

First, go here: http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/spring.php and print these out.

2. enlist to help of at least one volunteer (prefereably someone who done this at least once)

3. get your hands on a spring compressor -- you really don't want to do this job without one.

4. spray the the LCA arm bolts w/ WD40 or some such solvent and let soak over night

5. make sure you've got the car securely positioned on jack stands -- you don't ever want to work under a car supporting only by a floor jack

6. take your time and double check your work.



[Modified by Neo, 1:06 PM 11/1/2002]

 

its not that hard.. just time consuming because of the steps/labor involved and because there is 4 of them to do...

instead of typing out a big *** tutorial (w/ no pix).. I'll just link you to a few sites and you should be able to do it..

http://internet.cybermesa.com/~drew/...uspension.html

http://www.bseries.net/html/garage/spring.php

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/c.../coilover.html

good luck on your install.... set aside a day and have a buddy help you out... make sure you have the spring compressor, jack, jack stands, sockets, open end combination wrenches, and hex keys... also get some PB BLaster (penetrating lubricant) to spray down the bolts and let it soak before you attempt to break loose the LCA bolt.. careful not to break/snap it..

 

A spring compressor is not needed. I have swictched springs several time without using a spring compressor. When you take the how assembly out, set it on the ground have a friend stand on the spring, point the bottom of the strut towards boxes or something that isnt gonna break and then ratchet the top bolt on the strut. And your gonna use lowering springs im guessin, so they will be shorter then stock anyway which means you wont need a compressor to get them onto the strut.

 

One thing I should mention about reinstalling the front suspension that no one else has mentioned: put the damper assembly in place, loosely install the 2 nuts on top of the shock tower, then slide the damper fork onto the shock. Put the lower bolt through the lower control arm first. Use a jack to push up on the LCA (putting a load on the suspension). Then install the upper fork pinch bolt. I had problems with my pinch bolt trying to strip, and also not being able to get the fork all the way as far as it needed to go on the shock when I was installing my suspension. Putting a load on the suspension will help seat the damper fork all the way, and will help line everything up and keep the pinch bolt from stripping when you try to install it. Loading the damper when installing the pinch bolt is how the Helm's manual specifies it should be done.

 

Yeah, but removing the stock springs which are much bigger it is nessesary to use a spring compressor. You removed the STOCK spring, from the stock shock WITHOUT a spring compressor? With the a-market springs its easy, but not the stock ones...

 

you do not need a spring compressor, i have done it many times without one. Yes STOCK springs on STOck struts, you stilldont need one

 

dangerous.

 

Agreed! I wouldn't advise it, especially if you have the stock springs on the car.

 

cake!...never used compressors to take off stock springs...just did it on the lawn and used my foot to put weight on the shock assembly...the lawn bits down on the whole thing and reduces the energy release...putting stock springs on is a different story...royal pain in the ***

 

discalaimer CAN be dangerous if you point the shock assembly at your face