lowering springs, i got a question |
lowering springs, i got a question |
Jul 13, 2010 - 10:15 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 25, '09 From north carolina Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
hey guys, so like the title says i have a question about lowering springs. ive been thinkin about getting a set for my celi, but i dont have a spring compressor nor do i know someone that does. my question is this: do i have to have a spring compressor to install the springs or can i do it without one?
thanks in advance, anthony |
Jul 13, 2010 - 10:48 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined May 22, '03 From NOVA Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
Go to Advanced auto or Autozone or the like in your area, they have loaner tools and you can rent one.
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 11:03 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 25, '09 From north carolina Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
ok so then it is necessary to use a spring comp?
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 11:20 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Jan 16, '07 From covington, KY Currently Offline Reputation: 9 (77%) |
Yes very so your spring are under high amounts of tension.
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 11:47 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 25, '09 From north carolina Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
ok, i thought that would be why. the reason i was unsure was cuz theres a how-to article on here by coomer about springs and he didnt use a compressor
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 1:46 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined May 22, '03 From NOVA Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 5:22 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Apr 18, '05 From Calgary Currently Offline Reputation: 20 (100%) |
it's possible to install lowering springs without a spring compressor, but it will be more difficult since you have to compress the lowering spring a bit while aligning the strut mount with the shock absorber and installing the center nut at the same time. i've done it a few times already. but if you were installing the factory springs then you'd definitely need spring compressors.
-------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Jul 13, 2010 - 5:38 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 25, '09 From north carolina Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
i think ill try to rent one or something if i can find it. thanks guys for all your help
|
Jul 13, 2010 - 8:09 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Apr 28, '09 From York pa Currently Offline Reputation: 3 (100%) |
i think ill try to rent one or something if i can find it. thanks guys for all your help dont forget about ur sway bar endlinks mine were rusted on to hell blow torched them and they still refused to come off had to saw them off! then i was like yeah dont f@ck wit me betch and then i was screwed with no endlinks and they laughed at me ... but napa delivered soon afterwards |
Jul 13, 2010 - 9:17 PM |
|
Moderator Joined Jun 29, '08 From Denver Currently Offline Reputation: 59 (100%) |
The truthful answer is no, you don't need a spring compressor. But I won't bother with explaining my method. Just go get the spring compressor. AutoZone even gives you your money back when you take the spring compressor back. So you got it for free.
-------------------- "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us to use the search button!
2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. 1998 Celica GT- BEAMS Swapped. 2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium. 2021 GMC Sierra AT4. |
Jul 13, 2010 - 9:30 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 25, '09 From north carolina Currently Offline Reputation: 2 (100%) |
i think ill try to rent one or something if i can find it. thanks guys for all your help dont forget about ur sway bar endlinks mine were rusted on to hell blow torched them and they still refused to come off had to saw them off! then i was like yeah dont f@ck wit me betch and then i was screwed with no endlinks and they laughed at me ... but napa delivered soon afterwards hahaha yea it sounds like they got you back for that if thats how mine are ill just soak them with wd-40 for a while but i dont think mine are too bad |
Jul 13, 2010 - 9:52 PM |
|
Moderator Joined Jun 29, '08 From Denver Currently Offline Reputation: 59 (100%) |
It's not something WD-40 can solve. They break because they are really old. You can get the nut to spin all day long, but it will spin the bolt with it.
-------------------- "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us to use the search button!
2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. 1998 Celica GT- BEAMS Swapped. 2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium. 2021 GMC Sierra AT4. |
Jul 14, 2010 - 1:29 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Jun 18, '09 From Orlando Currently Offline Reputation: 8 (100%) |
Well, I didn't actually personally remove my rear links (shame on me, I know), but I saw it done. My guy held the bolt with an allen wrench and then twisted it off with a socket wrench, all after a nice soak with some WD-40. They came off perfectly and I'm still using them.
-------------------- '97 ST \ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+ [sold 10/18]
'93 MX-5 LE |
Jul 14, 2010 - 4:02 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined May 29, '09 From Gainesville, FL Currently Offline Reputation: 17 (100%) |
My end-links came off pretty easily, but I guess it all depends on age, and where the car normally resides. They were somewhat rusted, but came right off with needle-nose plyers, PB blaster, and other oddities.
Dun forget to get the tension off them! |
Jul 15, 2010 - 12:59 AM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Jun 17, '10 From Frankfort Kentucky Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
If you are removing the struts from the car before removing the springs then the answer is yes you definately need to use a spring compressor before even thinking about taking the nut holding the cap on. And don't get your head anywhere near the thing either because that nut could become a bullet very easily, and I'm not saying that as a joke or exaggeration.
If you absolutely can't get a spring compressor then there is another way. It's not safe and it's definately not any easier. This is how I installed my Tein springs ( I will never do it this way again ), don't expect it to work if you're putting the stock springs back on. With the car on the ground remove the center nut for the cap on the strut tower. Just the center nut, not the the other three. Slowly jack the car up to release the spring pressure/tension. Now fight an cuss with the spring to get it out. After three hours of it not coming out and wondering why you didn't just buy the correct tool, continue wiggling the spring out. Now take a rest because even your a@@h@le is going to be sore by this point. Now get your new spring and try to get it on the strut, in the correct position........................................ Ok this is where I stop, just buy the damn tool. This post has been edited by krom8: Jul 15, 2010 - 1:03 AM -------------------- |
Jul 15, 2010 - 2:44 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined May 22, '03 From NOVA Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
If you are removing the struts from the car before removing the springs then the answer is yes you definately need to use a spring compressor before even thinking about taking the nut holding the cap on. And don't get your head anywhere near the thing either because that nut could become a bullet very easily, and I'm not saying that as a joke or exaggeration. If you absolutely can't get a spring compressor then there is another way. It's not safe and it's definately not any easier. This is how I installed my Tein springs ( I will never do it this way again ), don't expect it to work if you're putting the stock springs back on. With the car on the ground remove the center nut for the cap on the strut tower. Just the center nut, not the the other three. Slowly jack the car up to release the spring pressure/tension. Now fight an cuss with the spring to get it out. After three hours of it not coming out and wondering why you didn't just buy the correct tool, continue wiggling the spring out. Now take a rest because even your a@@h@le is going to be sore by this point. Now get your new spring and try to get it on the strut, in the correct position........................................ Ok this is where I stop, just buy the damn tool. ^what not to do and no the nut doesn't become a bullet...it pops off maybe 2 feet |
Jul 15, 2010 - 3:54 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Jun 18, '09 From Orlando Currently Offline Reputation: 8 (100%) |
^ That. My OEM struts were mostly blown, but the rear nuts popped off a whopping...zero feet. The fronts only popped off maybe a foot or so. I say a spring compressor is not necessary if you're upgrading from an entirely OEM spring/strut setup, just keep the soon-to-be-slightly airborne nut pointed away from anything you value.
-------------------- '97 ST \ Eibach \ KYB \ Kenwood \ Alpine \ Cusco \ OEM+ [sold 10/18]
'93 MX-5 LE |
Jul 15, 2010 - 11:30 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Jun 17, '10 From Frankfort Kentucky Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI -------------------- |
Jul 16, 2010 - 1:24 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined May 22, '03 From NOVA Currently Offline Reputation: 16 (100%) |
I'm totally glad you found a youtube video that doesn't mean anything :clap:
|
Jul 16, 2010 - 8:35 PM |
|
Enthusiast Joined Aug 19, '09 From LA CA Currently Offline Reputation: 1 (100%) |
i just changed couple days ago my stock struts and everything by megan racing lowering spring and KYB shox, i bought some spring compressor but i didnt use that. you dont need spring compressor.
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: December 11th, 2024 - 6:21 PM |