replacing springs...stuck

[letemlaf]

ive been trying all day to replace the springs in my car (coz of some yellow thing on my window) :headspin: i can get them off with no trouble at all, theres no tension in them at all because its so low.

putting on standard springs and shocks is proving to be really tough!

im using spring compressors but they seem to twist as i tighten them so when i put them under the wheel arch theres always something or other in the way.

ive searched up and down for posts on it but nothing seems to help so far.

has anyone got any ideas on what else i can try?

[Revhead]

I've never had a problem with spring compressors... just make sure you use two on each spring, obviously this means directly opposite eachother. Do them up until they're tight enough to hold the spring (without actually compressing), do one right up, then do the other. If they're on opposite sides of the spring it'll all even out. That said, occasionally, particularly for longer springs, you'll need to do it in two or three stages (ie one side a bit, then the other, then swap back etc) if the spring twists too far when one side is done up. They only have to be tightened enough to let the hat go back on. Make sure the hat is in the correct orientation compared to the strut leg otherwise it'll be "fun" trying to get it all to bolt back up.

Other than that nearly legible description I'm probably not much help!

[Greg]

check the faq/tutorial section for a post i made on changing rear shocks. its exactly the same for the fronts.

[blind_elk]

Why are you having to use them under the wheel arch? The whole assembly should come out, remove strut top and remove old springs, insert new springs and re-assemble strut top (release spring compressors), then re-fit assembly.

[Revhead]

Oops, didn't notice that bit. Yes this is best done out of the car

[letemlaf]

yeah im taking it all out, but when i try to align it all under the wheel arch to put it back in there im having trouble.

i saw your instructions there greg and they have been a big help, i just cant get past this bit lol.

im tightening one compressor each side of the spring but do i do the bolt up the top or down the bottom. (top = cant get spanner in there to undo, bottom = too much thread that eventually gets stuck on the chasis of the car)

thanks for your help guys!

ill try some more

[51jay]

Not quite sure what you'r on about here??

To change springs

Under the bonnet undo the two strut retaining nuts, then undo the bottom retaining nut.

Remove complete strut/spring from car. Hold strut in a benchvise and use spring compressors to remove and replace spring.

replace completestrut/spring in car

there is no use for spring compressors when replacing the unit in the car.

If you have changed from a short spring to a stock one you will have to lever down the wheel hub to get enough clearence for the strut to bolt back on.

Push the strut up into position and loosely do up the 2 top nuts then force the hub down until the bottom end can be slipped onto the pin. tighten the bottom nut then get the car off the stands and tighten the 2 top nuts

[51jay]

On rereading this thread I get the impression that you are trying to put in the spring and strut befor they have been bolted together.

If you havn't got it sorted yet post exactly which nuts you removed and in what order to remove the strut assembly

[blind_elk]

A while ago, another member had a problem re-fitting the assembly into the car. Turned out he had only one side of the car jacked up. If this is the case, you need to jack up BOTH sides together when doing this job.

Repeating from previous post, the spring compressors should be removed by the time you get to the point where you want to re-fit the assembly into the car.

You also need to pay attention to how the spring and strut top are oriented so you can re-assemble the unit in the correct position. I think you should still be able to rotate the lower eye (takes some leverage) to align everything correctly.