325i Sport 1987 Spring Change.

[Stevieabz]

Hi Zoner's,

I want to change the current lowering springs in my E30 for the original ones. I have all four springs in the garage ready to go on. My local mechanic has offered to do the job for £200, but I figured I could buy all the tools necessary and do it myself for around that price. Only thing is, I'm not a mechanic. What I wanted to know, is what tools will I need to buy. I already have on a list: Cordless Impact Wrench, Jack stands, some sort of universal impact socket.. But I know there's more. If someone could list each tool and its size this would help greatly. Any help/advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

[TheDutch]

Not sure that you really need an impact wrench to do it, I'd get a generic socket set and a torque wrench - these will be useful for almost any job. Specifically for this you'll need some spring compressors, and possibly ball-joint splitter.

[Stevieabz]

I wont need an impact wrench to do the job, But as I'm spending the money on tools and not on labor, I want tools that I can keep for a long time and which make life easier. I'd prefer an impact wrench over a torque wrench although I will need both one day. Thanks for the reply.

[TheDutch]

Everyone is different, but I use a torque wrench almost every job I do, but only rarely use an impact wrench. IMHO the former is almost essential and the latter a nice to have.

Also, I don't know if you have any plans to change the dampers but it would be an obvious time to do so, especially at the front.

[gromgsxr]

Spring compressors may be a plan

[Speedtouch]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ing_Struts

[Davebmx]

I replaced all the springs on my girlfriends car yesterday and borrowed my mechanics air powered impact gun it was too big to get to most things but it was useful for the top nut on the strut to shock it off did both fronts and rears in less than 3 hours

[Brianmoooore]

IMHO the former is almost essential and the latter a nice to have.

Fully agree - an impact wrench is usually just a time saver.
Try to resist the temptation to tighten nuts with it!

[Stevieabz]

Thanks for the help guys, Dampers are going to have to wait as the budget for this is £200. I'm getting a good list together and have opted for just a toque wrench. Only thing is I'm struggling to find some decent (cheapish) spring compressors that are still safe.

[BenHar]

I did mine with ratchet straps like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-pair-Blue-5 ... 0519987314

Ben

[Stevieabz]

Cheers ben, good idea.

[zaust]

Spring compressor, Socket set and a Jack. Would have a pribar handy too.

I think £200 is a pee take .

[bss325i]

£200 is very expensive to replace all 4 springs!

[sweep]

£100-£120 is fair

[G-Bear]

I'd certainly opt for a torque rench as one of the first tools I'd buy along with a socket set.

A breaker bar is cheaper than an impact wrench and works a treat.