Back End Lowering Question

[Theo]

I've decided that I need to get off my arse and fit my rear springs today, the fronts have been on for a couple of months now, but I haven't got round to doing the back. Ive read that it is a simple proceedure and that after disconecting the ARB link arm and disconnecting the rear shock you simply need to lever down on the trailing arm for the spring to come loose. This seems nice and easy, but when I had a go at it the other day the spring didn't come out, and I didn't fancy putting alot of force on the trailing arm as this will surely put alot of pressure on the driveshaft joints?

I suppose the simple answer is to use spring compressors, but mine can't be attached on the back as they are a bit too bulky.

Any suggestions?

[handpaper]

Undo the allen bolts holding the driveshaft to the diff. This will let the trailing arm drop a little lower and you should be able to pull the springs out by hand.

[stuartgallafant]

are you mad??? you're creating so much work for yourselves!!!

just whip the wheel off, undo the 17/18mm bolt holding the shock to the rear swing arm, and lever the swing arm down with a lever bar.

remove the spring, change the rubber cups over, give it a quick soray with WD40, and lever the arm down again and shove the spring in, THE RIGHT WAY UP...

it takes me about 4-5 mins max to change a spring. the way you two are going, you'll be there all day!!!

[Theo]

Yeah and potentially fcuk your driveshaft in the process.

[stuartgallafant]

Yeah and potentially fcuk your driveshaft in the process.

not at all!!! you're only levering down against it for a maximum of 10seconds each time the spring goes in or out, so thats nowhere near long enough to fuck it up.

also, both ends of the drive shaft are constant velocity joints, meaning they can turn, rotate, swivel, and go in every direction with a substantial amount of tolerance, without doing them any harm at all

i've changed hundreds of springs in cars, new and old cars, and i've never f*cked a driveshaft...

im just trying to help you save time and effort theo! i wouldnt tell you to do something if i thought it would f*ck your car up...

have a little faith mate...

[12345kevin]

Did mine by only removing the shocks, took out a pair of -60's and put in a pair of -40's needed to only push down on the hub with hand pressure to give enough clearance !

[Theo]

Its not that I don't appreciate the response Stuart, its great that you take the time to make an input, but surely there is a limit to the downward force which can be applied to the cv joint at the diff before something breaks. It doesn't matter how briefly this force is applied, if it is too much, it will cause damage surely? We need a third opinion!

[Theo]

Kevin - standard springs are much longer so don't just pop out, ive removed lowering springs before and its a piece of piss. Its the extra length that makes all the difference

[GDBN]

So just use spring compressors ... I did with mine. I pushed down as far as I could with minimum force and they wouldn't come out.
So I put the compressors on. Just about enough space for them.

G

[Jhonno]

never once had to do more than disconnect the bottom shock bolt..

[dazleeds]

never once had to do more than disconnect the bottom shock bolt..

same here

[stuartgallafant]

ya see theo, listen to Uncle Stuie!!!