Removing front springs

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Yeah, so I got lowering springs/shocks.

Backs, obviously, are very easy.. took 20 mins total for both.


Front, as I was expecting, is a *****.


So. I have 2 of those spring compressors, which, I know are dangerous, but people have made them work.

I have also heard (by searching) that pep boys will depress the springs.


Are there any tricks to getting the springs off? Like how many coils to grab.. etc. I have tried probably a total of 5-6 times, and over the course of like 4-5 hours... Different coil combinations etc.. They won't come off. The wrong side compresses, and then the thing is too big to move.. If you have done it before you know what I am talking about. Any tricks?


Also, since I bought new shocks, can't I just buy a new shock tower or whatever it's called? The thing that the bolt holds on? Since I have the bottom piece for both shocks, and the bolt for the top of the new shocks. What is the technical name for that piece? And where can I get it?


I'm guessing I can buy that piece and then just throw the old front shocks/springs away.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

Ok so I just looked at the shock mounts... That's a no go.. ONE shock mount costs like $70 (that's the cheap one).

How much does pep boys (or any other shop that would be able to do it) charge to take off the shock mounts from the stock shocks/springs, and put it on the new shocks/springs? I am sure they have some sort of machine they use for struts thats gas powered/hydraulic or something right?

[Choppers]

Re: Removing front springs

i heard napa will take the old springs off and put the new ones on the shock for 30 bucks.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Removing front springs

you can get shock mounts for 50$/ pair off ebay....thats what I did...

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Removing front springs

If I did it again, I'd buy a new set off ebay. But my bolts seemed to be more rusted than many others. If you can't ge that bolt off no matter how hard you try, save yourself the trouble of grinding and drilling out the stud like I had to and buy the shock mounts if they are truly available 50 bucks for the pair. Otherwise, a shop will compress your springs and swap them out for relatively low cost, depending on where you go.

[ssms5411]

Re: Removing front springs

The only thing about having someone taking the springs off and putting new ones are is if they don't line up when your putting them back in your goign to have to have them redone. I bought some cheap spring compressors at Habor freight, they work great. It really is not hard compressing them, I guess if your not paying attention to what your doing you could hurt yorself, but their not hard to do. I had to do one side I think 3 times once because it wouldn't line up right, but the one side first try and it went in fine. I also got the strut mounts off of ebay it was like $110 shipped for the pair, I think I posted the link awhile back. So you could just do your new setup but make sure you line everything up correctly or you'll have to decompress the shock and turn it to where it fits correctly. Good luck, their not as hard to do as people make out.

[ssms5411]

Re: Removing front springs

Also I didn't notice, you got lowering springs so they will compress alot easier then the stock springs, so if you do get the strut mounts just get everything lined up correctly and compress them down, I hope you have a impact or air comressed hand held, it will make it alot easier to compress them(I think it is a must because I don't see someone just using a hand wrench to compress them.)LOL

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

Ok this is what I ended up doing. After I wrote this post, I undid the spring compressor. Then I went to sleep and when I woke up, I took out the driver side shock.

I brought them (the new shocks/springs, and the old) to pep boys, and it was $20 per.. so for a total of $40, they saved me a lot of time. I think it was worth it, seeing as I got a great deal on the springs and the shocks for a total of $250 bought locally.


The thing I didn't mention, is the night before I had to get the shock hardware, cause one of the rear mounts were missing.. so I got two new rear shock mounts for $5 each, and then I went to home depot to get new bolts. For my fronts it was 10mm x 1.25mm or something like that, and the back was 10x1.0.

Then after I got home with the new combo, me and my friend put them in in about 2 hours.. maybe less.





Either way, the difference is unbelievable. My shocks were definitely BAD (55k mi. with original shocks/springs). The handling is insane now compared to stock.


Not to mention the nice ~1.75"-2" drop.. (sportlines)

Pics will come later. Looks bad *** now.

[ssms5411]

Re: Removing front springs

Good to hear.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

I thought my camaro was doomed to handle ****ty.. Now I can take corners and have very little body roll. Tires are the weak point lol they're bald.

But yeah.. Anyone that has the stock setup, look for a cheap used setup, or just buy all new stuff. I didn't know it would be this big of a difference. How much do new sways help?

[ssms5411]

Re: Removing front springs

You would be surprised how well a STB would do you if you like taking corners. Sways do help alot, I went with a ST 35mm front and 21mm rear(just because I got them for $120) and also SFC's.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Removing front springs

Pics, damn yer eyes!

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

I need to find a camera! LOL hold on.

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

[xmetallicaxguitaristx]

Re: Removing front springs

This is what it used to look like.. picture is in the same spot lol




I would say that is a huge difference lol