Changing front springs w/o compressors

[oze30]

as above.

Could you use the weight fo the car to compress the spring, then jack the car up or lower the jack under the wishbone? or is there a bit more to it?

[smithy318i]

Absolutly not.

although you might be able to remove the springs, you will find it almost impossible to fit the new ones.

just buy (or borrow) compressors...

[Globulator]

although you might be able to remove the springs

If you do that then you'll suddenly and painfully become aware of the amount of stored energy in one of those springs when you undo the top nut on the strut.... make sure anything and anyone you value is not anywhere near either end when it goes.

[oze30]

if you undo the nut while the car is on the ground or a jack under the arm, then either let the jack down slowly or jack the car up more, it's the same as a compressor in the way that you don't have to unwind them ( I hate that part!) Your using the weight of the car to compress the spring, then relieve the pressure.

Why would you not be able to get the new spring on?

[Demlotcrew]

I think you should be able to do what yur saying, but i have never tried and cant say what complications you might come to when trying to compress the new springs on. (washers and perches)

Andrew

[Gwynleym10]

Spring compressors only cost £15 at the most though!

You can borrow mine if you live near east london...

You could I suspose hold the spring in a compressed position using a chain.. this works on the rear fine. But I doubt it would work on the front very easily

[oze30]

from my understanding, once you have the spring compressed and removed, you undo the 3 bolts? If so, couldn't you leave the 3 bolts done up in the turret, undo the main strut nut, then released it all, and when you had to put the spring back in, a bit of grease or tape??

I think it would work.. save me using a piece of equipment that I really hate using! ( I had a spring compressor come off a spring - well went round and joined the other one and whacked my hand against the turret.. and it wasn't compressed that much!!)

[JimmyC]

Your asking for big trouble if you ask me, a compressed spring could quite easily do you some very bad permanent damage.

Your call but stupid IMO

[mrLEE30]

as above very very silly and asking for trouble, and even worse you are likely to damage the thread on the control arm balljoint which will render your control arm useless as they cannot be replaced.

spring compressors if fitted correctly should give you no problems, they can be hired from your local HSS (or whatever they call it in UK these days) cost you about a fiver (or they did when i was last in uk many many moons ago)

mrlee

[ed325i]

I changed mine without a compresser did go bang when the nut come off just dont face it at anyone. The new springs where shorter so they went back on ok.

ED

[DanThe]

You should be able to do it this way, but it wont be easy guiding the strut up into its housing. And only if your dampers are in good order, if they are old/worn oil filled units you will have even more difficulty.
The standard springs on an E30 dont have that much energy stored compared to other cars, a lot less infact.

[dazleeds]

c,mon stop these stupids thorts

i know its a pita doing it

but get some compressers

theres all manner of injury potential if you try it your way

is it really worth taking the chance??

your call

[oze30]

I don't see how its dangerous. Your not removing the strut from the car. It's all compressed as it is, you just undo the nut in the turret, jack the car up or lower the wishbone ( What control arm ball joint thread?) Then ease the spring out. I'm getting new shocks anyway.. so there';s no need to worry about getting the shaft thru the hole again.

I don't understand how you could damage anything?? I think I might have to show someone what I'm talking about..


Your using the car as a compressor.. I see no difference to thi sthan using spring compressors.

[DanThe]

Exactly, this way IMHO is safer than using spring compessors for the reason the car isnt going to slip and smack you up the mouth

Ive taken springs off by undoing the damper collar nut with a hammer and chisel and pointing the spring away from me with no worries before

[DanThe]

And id just like to add that ive had more injuries from using spring compessors than not

Peugot 406 inparticular

[oze30]

Thankyou.. So dan.. do you think this would be possible? I've nailed myself too many times with compressors it's not funny!

[DanThe]

Cant see why not. The only problem I can see you having is guiding the top of the damper into the mount. What springs are you using? You might have space issues with standard springs

[DelaneyG]

Are you lot mad do you know how much energy is stored in a compressed road spring? im a mechanic people have been hospitalised from road springs they hold cars up! what do you think there gona do when they come loose or slip?

[DanThe]

But how can it slip in the spring seats? And where will it go when its inside the strut turret?

Have you had a go at this yet Oz?

[oze30]

Are you lot mad do you know how much energy is stored in a compressed road spring? im a mechanic people have been hospitalised from road springs they hold cars up! what do you think there gona do when they come loose or slip?

its compressed by the body weight. The car sits on wheels/jack stands, then after undoping the mian bolt in the turret, you jack the car up. How can that be dangerous. its the same thing as if you break a spring.. It's got stored energy yes, but until you can actually release the energy ( when you undo top bolt and jack the car up) does the spring return to it's normal length.

I see nothing untoward when doing this as it ( to me) is logicall.. and more importantly safe. Might be a bit more work, but i'd prefer that to a spring compressor letting go ( And I have seen this happen)

[DanThe]

i'd prefer that to a spring compressor letting go ( And I have seen this happen)

Ive felt it happen!
Still got a lump on my shin from January!

[Globulator]

from my understanding, once you have the spring compressed and removed, you undo the 3 bolts? If so, couldn't you leave the 3 bolts done up in the turret, undo the main strut nut, then released it all, and when you had to put the spring back in, a bit of grease or tape??

As long as the energy is out of the spring and you do not drop the car - it is safe.
The only drawbacks with this approach is
a) if the spring is too long you simply cannot get it out (dropping the subframe/swing arm might work
b) You might be tempted to tie the spring up so it takes less space - don't.

Getting the damper rod back into the mount can be a PITA - putting it back in you may want to radius some bits so it goes in OK.

[oze30]

i'm probably looking at getting a jamex -40 ish kit. so will hopefully the shock will go straight thru the hole.

At least some people understand what i'm talking about.

Yeah.. the wishbone will have to be lowered aswell.. but just simplified it for all to read!

Cheers danthe/globulator. May possibly make my life easier!

[DelaneyG]

ask any mechanic what he finks about swapping springs with no clamps, it may not slip or come loose but thats a big risk if it comes loose it,l A, wreck the wing on your car B, shatter the bones in your foot C, bounce off the floor and hit you in the face, do it if you want but spring clamps are made for that reason if you use them properly and there not cheap shit from the market why risk injuring yourself?

[jonb]

colin

dont be so council. you can borrow my compressers if you like.

just do it the normal way. the way your thinking of will probably take longer.

[tomson]

I don't see how its dangerous. Your not removing the strut from the car. It's all compressed as it is, you just undo the nut in the turret, jack the car up or lower the wishbone ( What control arm ball joint thread?) Then ease the spring out. I'm getting new shocks anyway.. so there';s no need to worry about getting the shaft thru the hole again.

I don't understand how you could damage anything?? I think I might have to show someone what I'm talking about..


Your using the car as a compressor.. I see no difference to thi sthan using spring compressors.

oz i see your point and i agree would probably work , but , have you ever changed a spring before? Im thinking not ! The easiest way by far is to remove your strut assembly, clamp it in a vice and get your spring compressors out!! easy peasy!
The rear on the other hand is a differemt ball game, far simpler.......

[oze30]

Ive changed seperate spring shocks using compressors.. hence me not wanting to use them again. try fitting 4 inch travel springs into a stock vehicle.. NOT EASY.

But we did it the same way.. you lower the jeep onto the springs while the same time threading the shock thru the hole. Easy. I just hate compressors is all. if i had a press however.. thats a different story.

[tomson]

Ive changed seperate spring shocks using compressors.. hence me not wanting to use them again. try fitting 4 inch travel springs into a stock vehicle.. NOT EASY.

But we did it the same way.. you lower the jeep onto the springs while the same time threading the shock thru the hole. Easy. I just hate compressors is all. if i had a press however.. thats a different story.

I see, that sounds like a commercial vehicle set up to me mate, on e30's and most other "every day" cars the front strut assembly is put together before being fitted to the car. There isnt 4" travel on any stock cars i can think of off hand! 4x4's and commercial vehicles then thats different.....