Can't compress my front springs

[engine_ear]

I have a spare pair of front struts for the Touring which I have been rebuilding. I've fitted new shock inserts then was unable to compress the springs enough to fit it all back together. Took them down to a local garage for them to have a try but they couldn't compress the springs enough either.

The springs and shocks are standard bits from GSF, or at least thats what they were sold to me as. The springs are the same size as the ones that came off, about 15inches long. Assembling the top mount to the shock without the spring leaves a 6inch gap between the perches, so you'd have to compress the spring to less than half its original size to assembly everything.

Have I inadvertently bought shocks for a lowered car or does this sound normal? Spent too long spannering on Mini's so struts are a bit new to me

[Topblag]

Obvious question but you are using a set of spring compressors ? In my experience the lowered springs are easier to work with, standard 325 springs need more compression to fit.

[engine_ear]

lol yes I was using a set of the screw type compressors that clip over the springs

[Topblag]

next daft question, have you fully extended the shock absorber ?

If you have, methinks it's the wrong parts - it shouldn't be that hard.

[daimlerman]

First time that I swapped front springs I ended up buying two sets of spring compressers,first set were too short to fully compress the spring.
Do take great care with compressed springs,if the tool slips off,the spring can do a lot of damage to you!

[jbh]

I remember last year having to use 3 sets of spring compressors on a merc spring.. what a pita of a job

[engine_ear]

next daft question, have you fully extended the shock absorber ?

If you have, methinks it's the wrong parts - it shouldn't be that hard.

I can pull the shock out a few inches but it just springs back to where I started from

[irish320i]

pull it out slowly and hold it should be much more travel than a few inches on the shock

[engine_ear]

Ok, I've had a crack at these again yesterday with some better spring compressors. Compressed them as much as I dared but was about 2 inches away from where I needed to be. I can fully extend the shock out but as I say it always springs back. If I could somehow lock the shock in the fully extended position this would be so much easier

So, did a little digging and it appears I've inadvertently bought M-Tech front gas dampers (GSF blokey assured me they were correct for a 318 tourer....)
Now I don't mind having some (I assume) better shocks, however should they be this tricky to get in? I'm using standard springs.

[town325i]

hold the dampre rode with a set of pipe grip through the spring and that should lift it up enough.

[AussieM20]

Compare the extended length of the strut with the old ones. I changed mine and the Boge ones that were in it were ultra short as per your description. Put standard length ones on and no dramas.

Greg