fitting 60mm springs to my 325

[eun]

right i have some 60mm springs that i want to put on my car over the
weekend. i will be needing some advice please people.

it seems easy saying im just changing my springs but is it really that
easy? just before i get started any advice is welcome as to
experience of doing it etc.

will i be able to do it with just a standard tool set or wil i need any special
tools?

any help welcome

thanks in advance

[smithy318i]

the rears are easy.

for the fronts you will need a ball joint splitter and spring compressors.
a good socket set + breaker bar. a long scafolding pole comes in handy too.

[Widge]

I'm gonna do this soon, swpping to sport springs.
Back seems easy, but has anyone got any advice for the front, I'm gonna do the front dampers too. Do I need spring compressors?

[dazleeds]

yes ya do widge

unless youve found a set with legs

droppin mine in next cpl days but only 40/40

[smithy318i]

Do I need spring compressors?

Deffo.

these were 20 notes from halfrauds.

[Widge]

Have you got spring compressors Daz?
And how do I do the dampers, seems they come as inserts?

[dazleeds]

yeah i have a pair mate

as for the dampers

im guessing its special tool blahhblahh

but sure they can be made up at home to remove the collars

maybe a big pair of stillsons??

[eun]

cheers smithy

[Widge]

Yep, just need to get dampers now. I'll probably do it some weekend.
If I could borrow the compressor mate that would be wizard, I'll let you know closer to the time.

Stilsen and a hammer will solve most problems I find.

[dazleeds]

no prob mate
you know where i am just pop down

will be doing the is head in the next couple weeks
so pop down and get em whenever as long as it aint this week as i ned em
mines sat so high im getting constant range rover comments

but want to swap for rear calipers while im at it so in mid of stripping em off the breaker nowlol

where ya been anyway??
not seen you in ages mate

[Widge]

Cheers mate, will do.
Just been busy with uni work, in the last slog now.
And I just know if I go on the zone I spend a whole day on it, or
as happened this week ended up buying a set of sport springs! It needs the dampers doing so I might as well do the springs at the same time....right
Having said that the M3 suspension in Glasgow looks tempting

[Ziggy]

The front dampers can be a bit of a biatch to get apart - I used Simon(I think it was him anyway!)'s method, where you get a socket over the nut on top, with a spanner/grips on it, so that you can get a smaller socket on the smaller nut inside the large socket. You'll know what I mean when you try it!

[dazleeds]

Cheers mate, will do.
Just been busy with uni work, in the last slog now.
And I just know if I go on the zone I spend a whole day on it, or
as happened this week ended up buying a set of sport springs! It needs the dampers doing so I might as well do the springs at the same time....right
Having said that the M3 suspension in Glasgow looks tempting

hmmm i thort same thing mate m3 setup

[Widge]

TBH Daz, I don't think it's worth the effort and time off the road on my car, sa I don't think it's the one I want to keep. I'm really wanting a to change to a touring at the moment. If I had a touring with good body then I'd do the M3 suspension job. You don't know anyone who has a touring for sale do you?

[Gwynleym10]

I did this a couple of weeks ago...

Found Delmots advice on putting the wheel onto the strut (when you have it off the car) to undo the top mount very help full.

Monkey wrench (with a bit of rubber to protect the insert) really helps as well.

Its a good plan to get new top mounts as there only Ԛ£15 a side and its a pain to get to them if they die in the future.

To note the ones from Eurocarparts don't have bearings in them and there charge you extra for them. While the GSF ones do!

I also find it easier to split the brake lines (where flexible meets metal) rather than taking off the caliper, those bolts are real tight! Its a good excuse to change your brake fluid as well!

For the rears its best use a chain and padlock to get the springs out rather than the compresser as it gets in the way. Don't be afraid to push down on the traling arm.

For some odd reason it took me longer to do the rears than the front.... not sure why, just been thick i think!

[dazleeds]

theres loads on ebay mate

i know of one loca but its white and looking tired

gotta admit im yearning for a touring but too many
half finished cars to consider getting one at moment
hopefully by summer i will have the lot sorted and cleare out and can get one intime for next winter

[Widge]

Yep, GSF front bearings come with a nut too where as ECP you have to pay for it, and GSF was 1/2 price.

Anyway how does the pad lock and chain work?

[eun]

and there was me thinking i would have loads of useful replies

[Gwynleym10]

Anyway how does the pad lock and chain work?

Take the rear wheel off
Undo the shock, either top or bottom (if find top easier to undo..)
Have an axel stand under the rear axel
Thread the chain in the spring
Then put the trolley jack under the traling arm and compress the spring, while pulling the chain tight, as much as you can, (car will come off the axel stand)
Padlock the chain up as tight as you can
Lower the traling arm and push it down as far as you can, then wrestle the spring out!

You can put a block of wood above the diff, to wedge it down as far as possible.

Undo the padlock while pointing spring at you neighbours window..

[stevetigger]

and there was me thinking i would have loads of useful replies

or go to your local tyre and exhaust place, have a word with one of the lads, Say you will slip him Ԛ£20 if he does it in his lunch break.