lowering springs, i got a question Options

[synyster37]

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

[playr158]

Go to Advanced auto or Autozone or the like in your area, they have loaner tools and you can rent one.

[synyster37]

ok so then it is necessary to use a spring comp?

[hatchy_gt-s]

Yes very so your spring are under high amounts of tension.

[synyster37]

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

[playr158]

Yes very so your spring are under high amounts of tension.

I take springs off w/o a compressor, it pops off like 1'
however putting springs on requires it.
coilovers however don't need one

[azian_advanced]

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.

[synyster37]

i think ill try to rent one or something if i can find it. thanks guys for all your help

[Johnnyny]

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

[richee3]

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.

[synyster37]

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

[richee3]

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.

[SwissFerdi]

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.

[rave2n]

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!

[krom8]

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

[playr158]

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

[SwissFerdi]

^ 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.

[krom8]

watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI

[playr158]

I'm totally glad you found a youtube video that doesn't mean anything :clap:

[bayaraa_joe]

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.