Im changing out my springs today and puting neuspeed sports on so I know i need a heavyduty spring compresser but do I nee a impact wrench and if so will and electric work. One place said not to use a impact wrench because it would be dangerous. what do i need to get????? need to rent these in l;ike 2 or 3 hours.

 

if you have a harbour frieght they have some cheap ones for like 20 bux. I wouldn't try to open a shop or nothing with them. but use them on 2-5 cars should be well worth the money.

 

I have used a spring compressor before when installing my springs and shocks. And I would NOT recommend using an impact wrench with the spring compressor. It is much safer to use a wrench or a ratchet.


[Modified by BSQ, 12:02 PM 6/13/2002]

 

get yourself a breaker bar if you have a rachet set. sometimes, you need a lil extra torque to get some of those bolts out. don't use an impact gun unless it's just taking off your lug nuts.

 

i can get one from autozone will that work and be safe.

 

Coat all of your suspension bolts in Anti-Sieze, you will thank yourself later!!!!!

The coil spring compressors from AutoZone never work well for me. The dang hook parts are a pain to get in place. They are really ment for larger coil spring I believe. I had to grind down mine to work easier. Most of the time I use an arbor press and some custom removal jigs. Just work carefully.


[Modified by SLPR, 9:20 AM 6/13/2002]

 

To take off stock springs, I don't use a spring compressor, and you won't need one to put the neuspeeds back on. Just put the back of the spring against the tire, step on the spring, and use an impact wrench on the top nut. It pops off very controllably. I don't know about using a ratchet and taking it off with out compressing the spring, that sounds dangerous.

 

Yeah, I guess it would be the "safest" to use a compressor, but it really isn't necessary. I layed the stock spring/shock assembly on the grass, put a carpet over it, had my friend stand on the carpet. Then put my tire on one end, while impacting the bolt off. It pops out about a few inches. Nothing crazy. And like reefer_bob said, you don't need the compressor again to put Neuspeed Sports back on.

I would recommend an impact gun for the suspension bolts, as some can be quite tight. That's really about it....have a friend there to help you out.

Good luck.

EDIT: About electric impact guns, I know that most of them aren't that powerful. My "real" air gun is 350ft-lbs and it could barely get some bolts off. I guess if your car is brand new, the bolts won't be as tight.


[Modified by shamoo, 12:47 PM 6/13/2002]

 

just pop that sucker with a wrench. Just be careful where u aim it at, i usually aim do it next to a wall

 

or at the various neighbor dogs that poop in your yard...

 

I guess I've been lucky w/ bolts (not breaking or being stuck) I've lowered (installed spring or springs/shocks) on about 10-12 cars for myself and friends and never had a problem w/ bolts... I just used a spring compressor, ratchet/socket set, open end/combination wrench .. and when needed my 18" breaker bar.. and the hex key to hold the stock shock spindle... needed a drill to enlarge the dustboot on my koni's.. but thats about the only power tool I used.. I also don't have access to air tools = (

 

a neat trick i learned in the crx forum:

un bolt the strut bolt when the cal is still on the ground...the weight of the car will hold everything in place and all tension will be slow released as you raise the car up...never tried that before but i will next time...

yea i never used spring compressors when lowering a car....i always used the front lawn...the grass and soil will dampen A LOT of the stored energy...dont need impact tools either....if you have problem with bolts use more WD40 and a longer breaker bar....

i only use compressors when i raise the car...AND THAT IS A REAL PAIN IN THE ****!!!!

 

Don't try this with MacPhearson struts... those things are much worse than regular springs/shocks... For those (RSX, Celicas) I use a spring compressor...

 

That won't work because even after you raise the car all the way up and the suspension is all the way wound out, the spring still has a lot of tension left. You won't be able to move it with your hand if you do that.

 

this was my ghetto solution to compress the spring when i was lowering my friend's civic...
first i removed the tire and supported the front of the car on jackstands. then i put the floor jack under the hub and jacked it up which compressed the spring. after thar, i took a 1 inch ratchet tie down and wrapped the spring from top to bottom. finally i simply removed the shock/spring assembly from the car and disassembled it. easy, right?
this is definately not the best way to go about changing the springs--i simply didn't have the proper tools so i had to get inventive.