Springs

[Outrun]

Since it has been a few years, I need a refresher. Springs. They are going in. Rears are simple. Fronts are a pain. I remember using a big screwdriver and prying the spring into place whilst jacking the control arm. I forgot how to do it though. Here’s what I remember. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Take off wheel
Take off caliper, rotor, loosen tie rod and remove from arm, remove sway bar end link
Loosen top strut nut, remove strut

I forgot how to get the spring out….

Then when I put back in….

Do you put the spring into the top cup and line it up so that when you start to jack the arm into place that the screwdriver prys the spring into the cup?

I know it was done last time without a spring compressor.

[NAZISALEEN]

SPring Compressors are good. Mmmm Kayy.

[Macs Stang]

Spring compressors are pretty much necessary. I used a ratcheting strap to help pull the springs out and put the new ones in.


I have heard the easist way to put front springs in is to unbolt the a-arm from the k-memeber and lower the arm with a jack. I haven't personally done that so I really can't give you any advice on that.

[CleanLX]

SPring Compressors are good. Mmmm Kayy.

Totally not needed, especially for lowering springs cause they're shorter...

[dupcla]

You could do it without a spring compressor but put a chain or something around the spring to prevent crippling or massive injury.

I've never put them in without a spring compressor.

You could go rent one or borrow one from somebody. (I have one if needed)

[CleanLX]

loosen tie rod and remove from arm,

This certainly isn't needed.

I forgot how to get the spring out….

Lower the control arm very slowly with a jack. Although it is frowned upon and possibly dangerous, I have used my foot/leg to keep the spring from springing out while lowering the jack under the control arm.

Then when I put back in….

Do you put the spring into the top cup and line it up so that when you start to jack the arm into place that the screwdriver prys the spring into the cup?

Yes. Use a huge prybar for best results.

[Steve]

I have never used a spring compressor and never had an issue in 10+ spring swaps. Common sense prevails when getting the old one out. Like someone said, put a jack under the arm and lower it down. It will get to a point where it stops and the spring bows outward a bit. I usually just pry them out with my Fat max bar. Then I pop in the new one with the same bar. Your results will vary and I won't be responsible if you kill yourself.

[Outrun]

Steve, I almost did kill myself years ago. Trying to get that fookar in, and it launched out, missed my head by a foot or so and left a hole in the sheetrock. That was nice.

[Steve]

Jeez, maybe you should wear a football helmet and use spring compressors.


Believe it or not a lot of people do lower the arms out of the K memeber to avoid purchasing spring compressors. It should be easier since you already removed the rutsy bolts and tossed them in the garbage.

[ScotWithOne_t]

You could always used a loop of cable and tie the spring to the chassis somewhere, so if it does fly, it is tethered.

[Outrun]

When we did springs, we put them on a spring compressor. The large kind that is the size of a shop press. Then used some industrial wire to hold the force in. Then pried it into the cup. I don’t have access to that stuff anymore, but I will be using a lift to do them. I will use one of those jacks that you spin the handle and they go up and down, and you can step on the foot pedal to raise it a foot or so. I forget the name. Before when we did it, We couldn’t figure it out, so we loosened up the control arm bolts and I was holding it in with a prybar and it shot out.

[kineda]

This thread scares me


though i know sometime this year im going to have to do it myself...

[ScotWithOne_t]

SN95's must be quite a bit different, because when my springs popped out, they jumped a little, but not across the room. And putting the new H&R's in was cake...they almost went in by hand.

[5SpeedFox]

I got question that kinda goes along with this? My car is lowered and i just bought some new wheels and tires and i don't want them to rub is there anything i can do to raise the front like and 3/4 or a full inch? I've heard someone talk about spring spacers? Not trying to jack the thread just had a quick question.

[dupcla]

Use a spring compressor and keep your face intact.