Lowering Spring *UPDATE*

[Cole Angrimson]

Ok guys i got Eibach lowering springs from RKSport and i was wondering if there is a couple tricks to getting the old one's off and the new one's on without tearing apart my whole suspension? Thanks guys. ANY help will do. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[ March 08, 2004, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Cole Angrimson ]

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

.....

no.. you pretty much need to take it all apart..

[speedy-v6-camaro]

Don't do the front without a spring compressor....you will kill yourself if you don't have one....and I'm not talking figuratively.

[Predator Bird]

i recommend going to a shop if you don't know what you're doing. my friend and i installed my springs b/c he's done other cars before and it took 5 hours. when i got my new shocks put on a few months back i went to a shop and it only took 2 hours. the guy knew exactly what he was doing and i was there to help.

the rears you can do yourself, just unbolt the shocks from under the car and you can slide the springs out. the fronts don't really require much to be taken apart, but it's a lot easier when the car is on a lift and you know exactly what needs to be done.

[imported_admin]

I would NOT recommend doing your springs yourself unless you really, really know what you are doing.

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

Originally posted by Stefan:
I would NOT recommend doing your springs yourself unless you really, really know what you are doing.

ie: if the back side of your mullet it longer then 2 feet

[img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

JK..

[PiLOTLiTE]

Originally posted by Stefan:
I would NOT recommend doing your springs yourself unless you really, really know what you are doing.

Try not to be scared off by these warnings. The process itself is not all that difficult. Buy a service manual for the nuts and bolts you need to remove. Familiarize yourself with how the strut compressor works, take your time, and go slow. It also always helps to talk to someone or work with someone who has done this before. If you need motivation, be aware that a shop will estimate 1.5hrs per side to install the springs, and at $90/hr for labor, thats more than the springs cost.

[imported_admin]

Originally posted by PiLOTLiTE:
Try not to be scared off by these warnings.

:rolleyes:

Nevermind that SAFETY is more important than saving a few bucks at the shop.

There are only two times that I always recommend that someone go to a shop: gears and springs. Gears because they require experience to get them just right, springs because you can get killed by a compressed spring if you don't use the compressor just right.

The ONLY time you should attempt your own springs (front set) is if you have someone who has EXPERIENCE using a compressor and you are just helping the first time.

[viper98885]

It's really not a difficult job, it just takes a while to do all of it.

I do agree with Stefan that you should be shown how to use the spring compressor before use or have someone looking over your shoulder that knows what they are doing.

The compressed spring is VERY dangerous so be sure that you get a decent set. You can rent them from Autozone for like $15.00 and they are good enough to get the job done. Check out the threads though before getting them because some of the sets have been used numerous times.

[Predator Bird]

i had a guy who owns a shop install my shocks. (same process as installing springs) he posts on the local board on camaroz28.com and he does installs for fellow f-bodies from the board for $100. b/c he knows exactly what he's doing he only charges for the exact time it takes to install all 4 springs. an experienced shop can do it in 2 hours, don't let them charge you for what it says on the computer to install them. stay there w/ them to make sure they don't take any breaks to screw you over on the "extra" time it took.

another thing you could do if you want to install them yourself is have a friend drive you to a shop to install the springs on the struts. they use a better machine to compress the springs rather than the crappy compressor you can rent.

[Cole Angrimson]

My boss is letting me use his spring compressor. As for the experience, my dad will be doing most of it because he's good at this stuff. I did the rear end install on my car myself and i had it checked after 7,000 miles on the new rear and the mechanic said it was a nicely done job. he said everything was done correctly. I will try this job on my own. i have been forewarned about the possibility of the springs killing me :D i'm not too worried. i'll just be careful. thanks guys. does anybody have pics of their car with a 1.5" drop. i think it will look nice with my 17" chrome 077's coming. thanks again guys.

[Cole Angrimson]

Ok guys i got them in. It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes. but we have LOTS of tools at my house. Anyway if you check out my cardomain which is at the bottom in my sig, go to page one. It's the lighter side shot. i have a BEFORE shot above it. Open both pics and put them side by side and tell me what you guys think. :D

[hawgs]

did you use a spring compressor?

[Cole Angrimson]

yeah. And it worked nicely. I wouldn't have been able to get the front one's off without it. Did you check out the pics Hawgs?

[viper98885]

Very nice. Congrats on the install.