Installing Lowering springs

[naqs]

So I got some new lowering springs for my Caldina

Wondering if I'll need a spring compressor to get them in there or if I can make do without it.

[Lurkin]

would be more worried about the factory ones coming off with a bang....

[RS13]

Yeah, having done many, many cars now I'd recommend getting hold of some compressors to do the job if its' your first time. You can hire them from auto places and the like (Butler auto here in Chch hire them out for $16 a day from memory) so no need to spend up large buying a set if thats' what you're worried about.

[vr4boy]

you can get them from repco for around $80, always very handy to have.

[Bling]

This is why having your location in your profile is handy. Easier to recommend places to hire / buy / borrow off another member. I have some home made jobbies I got off trademe. As said above, use compressors for sure, no one likes metal objects hitting them in the face at speed.

It is doable without, so long as the new springs don't require compressing to get them in. But that's not a recommendation! Spring compressors make the job much less stress.

[evil_si]

i had to use pneumatic spring compressor to remove the old and fit the lowered to my atenza.
a standard spring compressor wouldnt work due to the size and shape of the spring

[Quint]

would be more worried about the factory ones coming off with a bang....

First time lowering a car back in the good days (AG bro!) mate smashed himself in the face when the top hat came off *wipes tear from eye* good times.

[RomanV]

no one likes metal objects hitting them in the face at speed.

You wouldnt motorboat a robot woman with metal boobs?

In other news,

Why do you think that factory springs seem preloaded to hell and back?

I always thought that did nothing good at all.

[blindnz]

yeah less then ideal, I also had a mate use rope to compress the springs...

Terrible ideas all round, I think I got my set from Topmaq tools in Chch for about $50

[GTsedan]

Where's the number8 wire attitude? You can use that.

But seriously, for the cost of the spring compressors its a no brainer

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

i just used ratchet strop thingees
piece of piss!

now I normally dont even bother and just point the top hat at something thats not worth anything and/or use a towel over it when letting the standard ones go

lowering springs are normally short enough you just have to squash them a bit to get the nut done back up

[GDII]

Spring compressors and an air ratchet work great. Much fast than a hand ratchet. Just make sure the threads are oiled. They get pretty hot.

[naqs]

Thanks for all the input. I think I have some spring compressors somewhere.

The other question is can I take the whole shock/spring assembly out before compressing the spring or do I have to do that in there?

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

if youre good (like me) you can pop the spring out while its in the car
otherwise if youve got compressors, just take the whole shock/spring out in one piece
its probably easier that way

[naqs]

Yeah its first time doing springs on a car... I'm used to the big beefy 4wd stuff

[Mr Revhead]

On the front it is sometimes easier to remove the shock if you compress it first.

[tsoob]

bring it to me $150 installed save yourself all the effort.

[naqs]

And how long would that take?

But then what else am I going to do with my Saturday?