My progress springs have been sitting at my place for too long. I came close to installing them a few times but never had the guts to do it my-self. I'm a cheap bastard, so I don't want to bring it to a shop and pay 100-200 bucks for the install.

Is there anyone from Ottawa, or Montreal that knows how to install them, has the proper tools and feel like installing them for me. I'll pay for the beer and lunch. If anyone is interested, I'm off friday from 9am to 4pm in Ottawa, and I'll be in Montreal from friday 6pm to sunday 4pm.

 

It's probably much more time consuming and tiring, and correct me if I'm wrong, but an impact wrench and air compressor is not necessary, but you just need the spring compressors and a ratchet set.

 

Yeah, but I'm too scared of screwing something up.

 

Its really not that hard of an install, I did mine myself
here are some steps to get you on your way

**this can be very dangerous and a spring has the capabilities of shooting through a brick wall and therefore you*** - make sure your are sure...and carefull when handeling a spring under load

MUST HAVE TOOLS:
1.Proper Spring Compressor (Canadian Tire will lend you one if you give them a deposit)
2. Dead Blow or Rubber Mallet (Regular Hammer and a peice of wood will work)
3. Jack & Jack Stands (never get under a car with out jackstands or blocks that will support the car, wooden 4x4's can work but give the car a *little* shove before getting underneath first)
4. Someone else there
5. Socket set and a Johnson bar (if you have a impact gun and compressor then this is usually not nessary)
6. Penitration Lube (WD-40 Doesnt count but will work, i just dont suggest it)
7. Replacement Strut tower nuts (nylock) or loc-tite
8. Punch
Should Have Tools:
1. impact gun and compressor
2. Pry Bars
3. Tourque Wrench
4. Caliper (for measuring the strut tower bolt threads showing)(if you dont have this then remember approx amount of turns for each side.



Let ME know IF i missed anything here....im doing it from memory
FRONT:
Place the spring compressor over the springs and tightten down the compressor (tigheten both bolts on compressor evenally) (MAKE SURE IT IS SECURE)
Undo the 2 bolds at the bottom of the strut (problaby have to punch them out)
Then Undo all teh clips that are attached and in the way (brake lines)(dont disconnect the line just move the clip)
Take off the strut tower bar bolts (have someone hold it so it doesnt drop)
Pull Out the Strut assemble.
Go out of the Garage in an open area (just a percausion) and slowley take the spring compressor off by evenally undoing the bolts that you tighened to compress the spring compressor.
put the new spring on
(make sure the spring is seated in the proper groove)
compress it
reverse all the above steps

REAR:
Take the trunk liner out on the sides of the trunk.
Compress the spring (be carefull because you problaby wont be able to get the compressor on fully, you may have to put the top on one side and the bottom on the other (stager) and you will problaby only be able to use one compressor)
**this can be very dangerous and a spring has the capabilities of shooting through a brick wall and therefore you***
Undo all the nessary items to free up the strut assembly (i found i had to undoo the sway bar bolts and the each side of the arms as i went)
reverse and re-install
drive it (alignment may be out and therefore you better see an alignment shop to get it fixed ($60.00))


**this can be very dangerous and a spring has the capabilities of shooting through a brick wall and therefore you***



if you are going to the MCCC meet then pm me, come down the friday night and we will do it in my garage (togeather so you can learn something) for your requested payment (beer and lunch) (crash at my crib if ya want)

 

best way to do it is to just start doing it, then you have no choice....."GET R DONE"



psst..i was a bit nervous too

 

That's a good idea, blaze, come down for the meet in a few weeks, we'll help you out. Just don't give Danno the beer first, or you'll end up with your springs upside down.

 

you can go on the rrm site they give you pic on how to do it too

 

search the tech forums too.

 

blaze, here's a how-to with pictures.

http://www.mypron.com/pages/springinstall.htm

 

id have to have a beer in my hand....i wouldnt get drunk till i was done though.

Good "How To" BTW the pictures are good...a little better then mine

 

I'm working the weekend where you guys are meeting, so that's not really possible.


But I might give this How to a try. I no longer have my crappy electric impact wrench, so it might take me a lil longer to do. I'll just get up really early on friday and get on this project that scares the hell out of me .

 

Yeah, it doesn't hurt to experiment. I can't stress enough that you have to use the spring compressors, but other than that, it's a matter of just remembering how everything came apart and putting it back together. Draw some pictures or take pictures if you're not confident enough.

You can't really do anything terribly wrong, just go for a drive after (making sure your brakes are connected first lol), if the springs squeak, you might not have aligned them or they're upside down, so just fix the problem.

Good luck!

 

thats what i like to hear...take some inicitive and do it.
Be careful and you wont screw anything up. let us know how it goes

 

I'll drop by CrappyTire and see if they can loan me a spring compressor. I wish they would rent air tanks and impact wrenchs though.

 

a johnson bar will work just fine, its just easier and faster with a impact gun