how hard is it to change springs???
- Thread starter MI95Cobra
- Start date
Stanger007
Founding Member
illwood
Member
Springs aren't overly difficult, but they require some time, the right tools, and some safety precautions.
Here's what I remember from doing my springs.
Do both front and both rear springs at the same time (i.e. lift the front or the rear and put it on jack stands then do each side). Use a floor jack to support the force on the control arm while you are disconnecting things. Use a good spring compressor.
Most important! Tie the springs to a chassis component that will keep them contained in the event that something gets loose. There is a lot of kinetic energy there that can do serious damage.
Here's what I remember from doing my springs.
Do both front and both rear springs at the same time (i.e. lift the front or the rear and put it on jack stands then do each side). Use a floor jack to support the force on the control arm while you are disconnecting things. Use a good spring compressor.
Most important! Tie the springs to a chassis component that will keep them contained in the event that something gets loose. There is a lot of kinetic energy there that can do serious damage.
94-302-vert
Active Member
Work slow and it is not hard at all.... just work slow and smart... I would plan on probably a full day to do them...
drakesdad
Member
Hey Jimmy
I "borrowed" a spring compressor from Autozone....it helps big time........a pickle fork helps as well.....
I "borrowed" a spring compressor from Autozone....it helps big time........a pickle fork helps as well.....
'02SilverBullet
New Member
- May 4, 2007
- 0
- 0
- 0
I just did the springs on my '02 a few months ago and it was fairly easy. I had never done ANYTHING with springs before either. I did'nt use a spring compressor, from everything I read before I done the install I did'nt need it. I will give ya a tip or 3 on it too.
1. Make sure you get it set the car high enough on jack stands so the A arms can drop all the way down
2. On the back, once ya got it on jack stands and every thing disconnected. Use your floor jack on the oppasite side your working on .... Raise one side of the axle the other side will lower. Once ya got all that done there is no pressure on the spring at all. Just take a pry bar or long screw driver to pry em out.
Just take your time. Its not that hard at all really!
1. Make sure you get it set the car high enough on jack stands so the A arms can drop all the way down
2. On the back, once ya got it on jack stands and every thing disconnected. Use your floor jack on the oppasite side your working on .... Raise one side of the axle the other side will lower. Once ya got all that done there is no pressure on the spring at all. Just take a pry bar or long screw driver to pry em out.
Just take your time. Its not that hard at all really!
SublimeRT
Member
I usually do the rears first, then the front. Here's how I do it. I jack up the rear end fairly high, put some jack stands under the rear, but not on the axle, I put them on the frame, then I let my jack back down so the rear suspension can droop fully. I take off the rear tires, put my floor jack under the shock eye (doesn't matter which side you do first) and jack it up a couple inches, unbolt the shock at the axle and pull them out of the eyelet, then all I have to do is let my jack down so the suspension is at full droop again. The side you took the shock off will droop further, then I can just pull the spring out, put the new one in, jack it back up at the eyelet, put the shock back on, repeat on the other side. For the fronts I again jack the car up and put jack stands on the frame rails, but not too far back, take off wheels, unbolt the sway bar endlink, unbolt the two bolts holding the caliper on and hang it with a bungee out of the way (never let it hang by the hose), pull the rotor off and set it aside. Then I put my jack under the a-arm and jack it up a little, then I go up top and remove the 3 fasteners on the CC plate holding the strut in. I slowly let my jack down while guiding the strut down. It's a good idea to put a rag over the top of the strut once it's down into the fenderwell and fender covers are a good idea too to prevent scratching the fender with the strut. Once you let the jack all the way down, you'll have to compress the strut a little and swing it out; this is where the rag on top and fender covers might save you some grief. It's not hard at all to compress, I weigh ~120 and have no problem. There's an ABS sensor line in a bracket that you will have to pull out of the bracket but it's no biggie. Now the a-arm should be able to droop far enough to get the spring out. Put the new ones in and reverse procedure to put back together and repeat for the other side.
It's really quite easy and if some of that doesn't make sense, once you get in there and look around, you will see what all I'm talking about. I've never had to use a compressor, but your results may vary. After a couple times of doing it, it will only take an hour, hour and a half to do. Some people do a few little things differently than what I described, but that's just the way I've always done it and I find it the easiest. illwood makes a good point about tying the springs to something. I should probably start doing that. I haven't ever had a spring pop out in my face, but I saw guys do it in school; not pretty. Good luck if you decide to do them.
It's really quite easy and if some of that doesn't make sense, once you get in there and look around, you will see what all I'm talking about. I've never had to use a compressor, but your results may vary. After a couple times of doing it, it will only take an hour, hour and a half to do. Some people do a few little things differently than what I described, but that's just the way I've always done it and I find it the easiest. illwood makes a good point about tying the springs to something. I should probably start doing that. I haven't ever had a spring pop out in my face, but I saw guys do it in school; not pretty. Good luck if you decide to do them.
Similar threads
