Can I install lowering springs myself?

BlueOvalStangGT · Jan 30, 2004

I got these springs just sitting there in my garage and I would really would like to put em in someday. Everything in my sig except gears/tires were put in by me and im pretty good at work like that. Who here has put in their springs themselves? Also what method should i use?

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm
or
http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/spring1.htm

Thanks for your time

RIO5.0 · Jan 30, 2004

Go for it...springs aren't all that hard to do....no worse than the other projects you've done....between both links, should be no problem....

AznStanger3v · Jan 30, 2004

lowering springs are quite easy. i didnt look at the links, so i dont know which method is better. just make sure you clear your schedule, it takes about an hour per tire.

red94fiveo · Jan 30, 2004

Its not that tough looking at the other stuff you've done. Just go rent a spring compressor from Autozone (FREE) and take your time.

S/CBlack95GT · Jan 30, 2004

BOTH set of instructions make it more difficult than it really is. Here is how I did it:

For the rear just jack the car up via the rearend then place jackstands under the frame in front of the rear tires. Remove the tires and then unbolt the bottom of the vertical shocks and the top nut on the quad shocks. The quad shocks have a stud that the top part slides onto, so just pull hard on it and slip it off the stud while leaving the bottom of the quad shock attached to the axle. After doing that on both sides simply lower the entire axle down and pop the springs out with a pry bar. I used a 2.5 foot long one. Then pry the new ones in place making sure the end of the spring is facing the same way as the old ones. Jack the axle back up and attach all the shocks.

For the front jack one side up at a time via the frame behind the front tire. Raise the tire off the ground by about 4-6 inches then place a jackstand on the frame to support the car. Next place the jack under the A-arm and pump it up so the spring compresses to almost ride height. Take the tire off and unbolt the brake caliper and the two huge bolts that attach the strut to the spindle. Remember to unbolt the ABS bracket and the remove the line from the grommets on the body. After that you can lower the A-arm via the jack and allow it fall all the way to the floor. Then you can pry the spring out. It helps to have another person help you so they can push down on the A-arm with their foot while you pry the spring out. Then you can pry the new one in place. Make sure the end of the spring fits into the groove, which can be tough to get the first time. BE CAREFUL when you unbolt the strut at the spindle. Once you do there is nothing holding the A-arm up except the jack!

5.0 from 95 · Jan 30, 2004

You don't need a spring compressor. Just go to Corral.net and look up install stuff. If Shaun didn't complete it for you, go there and they have another top to bottom list. It is pretty straight forward once you start.

Paul

jmuva44 · Jan 30, 2004

Just be careful unloading those springs!! I installed my Bullitt kit. Its not too hard. Just make sure you do your research. Do it step by step and unload the springs very very slowly. Took me the better part of two days but I took my time.

KeithStang · Jan 30, 2004

I lowered my 94 the day I bought it and it only took a couple of hours. The rear springs are the easiest. Just do it. Once you get in there it will be a piece of cake.

89 blue lx · Jan 30, 2004

definitly easy i did it myself also i used the mustang world instructions

viperos · Jan 31, 2004

my dad is certain you have to have a compactor to do it... he can't understand how to do it w/o one... oh well, different generations, difference decades of mustangs...

S/CBlack95GT · Jan 31, 2004

You dont have to have one. Just drop the suspension as low as it will go and pry the spring out. They pop right out with a little effort.

Venom351R · Jan 31, 2004

Dont know what took you guys so long to do your springs Only took a few hrs to do mine front and back.

94DreamGT · Jan 31, 2004

S/CBlack95GT said:
You dont have to have one. Just drop the suspension as low as it will go and pry the spring out. They pop right out with a little effort.

Bingo...this is right. You don't have to mess with removing brake lines or calipers or anything, that is unecessary.

It help is you have an extra set of hands, but is not required. If you are confident about your mechanical abilities, go for it. Just take your time and be careful.

viperos · Jan 31, 2004

any other How-To pages you guys know of? other than mustang world?

89 blue lx · Jan 31, 2004

mustang worlds are the easiest just use theres i used it and the install took a couple of hours

1slow95 · Feb 1, 2004

Very easy to install, I changed my back springs without even removing the tires!
1. Jack up the back of the car
2. remove the sway bar(2 bolts on each side)
3. remove the bolt on the lower control arm, its close to the shock mount. Make sure you have a jack under the LCA. After removind the bolt, lower the jack slowly.
4. Reverse process to install new spring.

the front is a little tougher. I changed my ball joints when I did my springs so I took the whole lower control arm off. Make sure you have a jack under the LCA before starting.

1. remove the 2 bolts holding the strut to the spindle
You can do the rest a couple of different ways.
2. If changing ball joints, remove the tie rod end bolts, remove the nut on top of the ball joint, place the spindle on a jackstand or two out the way, slowly lower the LCA, and reverse for install of new spring. you can remove the LCA to change to ball joints, its held in by 2 bolts.

3. You can also get to the spring by just removing the 2 bolts going through the LCA bushings and lowering the LCA. You'll probably need to remove the 2 strut bolts. This way may be easier to remove the springs, but it's kinda hard to line up the holes on the LCA bushings.

Or you can use the previously stated method of disconnecting the cables and lowering the control arm and spindle together.

BlueOvalStangGT · Feb 1, 2004

S/CBlack95GT said:
Take the tire off and unbolt the brake caliper and the two huge bolts that attach the strut to the spindle.

these 2 huge bolts, where are they? is that the bolts in my c/c plates? just wondering because mine are riveted in place

nf9648 · Feb 1, 2004

Real easy job, 2 hours max, without powertools, just make sure you get alignment done, camber was unreal when I installed the eibach road race springs in my last mustang.

1slow95 · Feb 1, 2004

BlueOvalStangGT said:
these 2 huge bolts, where are they? is that the bolts in my c/c plates? just wondering because mine are riveted in place

They attach the strut to the spindle. they are at the bottom of the strut, behind the brake rotor. I think they are a 13/16 or 21mm, I can't remember exactly what size.

BTW, I bought a Haynes repair manual and followed the intructions in there when I changed mine.

BlueOvalStangGT · Feb 3, 2004

hmm i got the first one almost done, pretty easy like you all said. which way am i supposed to face the pig tail and does the rubber peice go on top or on bottom of spring?(not the rubber peice that wraps are the spring). Also i found this lil metal peice that fell out, looks like alluminum, bent about 2" by 1" and i dont know if its a peice of road debris or what.

Can I install lowering springs myself?

BlueOvalStangGT

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RIO5.0

AznStanger3v

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red94fiveo

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S/CBlack95GT

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5.0 from 95

jmuva44

KeithStang

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89 blue lx

viperos

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S/CBlack95GT

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Venom351R

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viperos

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89 blue lx

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