Tools:
12mm wrench/socket
14mm wrench/socket
17mm wrench/socket
19mm wrench/socket
Impact wrench (not mandatory, but very hard without)
Crescent wrench, screwdriver (flathead), etc are good to have handy

Fronts

1. Jack up front of car; put on jackstands.

2. Remove front wheels.



3. Remove the nut holding on the brake hose (12mm). Pull away from strut (speed sensor bracket comes with, just make sure to pull the tabs out).



4. Remove the swaybar endlink from the strut (14mm); easiest with an impact.

5. Hold bolt head, loosen nuts on bottom strut bolts (19mm IIRC, 17mm if not).



6. Remove the 3 nuts holding the strut top to the car (have a buddy hold the strut up so it doesn't fall!) (14mm).

7. Pull whole strut assembly out.

8. Put on spring compressors if you have them.

9. Use 17mm socket and impact to remove the nut off the top of the strut. Make sure to point it away from you just in case.

10. Remove stock spring, replace with aftermarket spring (if using Works, make sure the word WORKS is facing up).

11. Put the spring top on as it was on when stock.

12. Push down, thread the top nut (from #9). Tighten to 45 ft-lbs.



13. Put the strut back in.

14. Replace the 3 nuts on top, tightening them to 33 ft-lbs.

15. Replace the bottom strut bolts, tigthening them to 81 ft-lbs.

16. Replace the swaybar endlink, tightening to 29 ft-lbs.

17. Replace the speed sensor bracket (put tabs in holes), put brake hose bracket back on, tighten nut to 10 ft-lbs.

18. Put wheel back on, tighten lugnuts to 75 ft-lbs.

19. Return car to ground.

 

Rears

1. Lift the car, support with jackstands.

2. Remove rear wheels.



3. Pull back trunk sides to access top nuts (easiest if you start from the rear seats rather than the back of the trunk).

4. Remove the 2 nuts on top of the strut. (14mm)



5. Remove nut & bolt holding strut to lower control arm. (19mm IIRC)

6. Remove complete assembly from car. May need a friend to push down on the rotor to make room (worked for me).

7. Put on spring compressors.

8. Use 17mm with impact to remove top nut from assembly (again, point away from people for safety).



9. Reassembly assembly with new spring (again, you want the WORKS facing up if you're using Works springs). Tighten top nut to 19 ft-lbs.



10. Put the assembly back in.

11. Tighten the top nuts to . . . I don't have the TQ specs, so I assume them to be 33 ft-lbs like the front.

12. Tighten the bottom nut/bolt to . . . again, no specs. Again, I'll assume it's the same as front and guess 81 ft-lbs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...



13. Put the trunk sides back (replacing any clips you removed).

14. Put rear wheels back on.

15. Lower the car.

-------------------

After spring install:

1. Drive carefully.

2. Give the springs some time to settle. Maybe a week.

3. Get an alignment. Installing new parts completely screwed up your stock alignment, so you NEED a fresh one from a mechanic. Otherwise, your tires will be toast.

 

did you forget to mention the bump stop cuts =)

 

^^ no the stock bumpstops are integrated into this unit, AND they are a part of the dustboot and cutting the dust boot on the shocks is asking for trouble.

 

Nice guide. Thanks Sheep.

 

do you have before and after pics anywhere? just to help see the difference in the stance of the car.

 

No, I bought good springs...

No, unfortunately I don't. I stupidly forgot to take before pics. I do apologize. I hadn't even taken pics of the current wheels on the car, so I'm totally worthless in that dept. There are some posted by the cosworth in my review thread.

 

This may be a dumb question, and goes for more than just replacing springs, but what is an easy way to tell how many ft. lbs. you have tightened nuts to? Like how can I tell if my lugs are 75, and if all that is mentioned here are to their right torque?

 

a torque wrench...

 

well lets suppose one does not have a torque wrench lol i knew that, thats why i was asking if there was any other way.

 

The other way is to be an experienced technician so you can feel it if it's at the right torque or otherwise just buy a torque wrench. I just broke a lug stud yesterday because I tightened it too much.

 

alright well fair enough, i think I will just wind up buying a wrench...thanks!

 

Yeah, it's either buy a torque wrench or spend so many years doing it that you can guesstimate...

 

Blacksheep could I use this "how to" install springs on my 06 I cant find a how to anywhere (one with no pictures).you have done this on the last gen lancers is it close enough ?

 

Ok I just had the springs installed today. Finally. Really love the look. It doesnt look "slammed" or crude. Looks like this is how it should've come from the factory. Has a really sporty 'OEM' look to it.

Anyhow, how long should I wait for the springs to settle, before taking it for alignment?