use2vw

iTrader: (2)

I had this up in the suspension section, but no replies or advice...
HAS ANYONE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY on a sedan? SOunds great in all, but would hate to get stuck or bust something while working...*see below*

Originally Posted by Dieseldoug22
I had this idea yesterday on removing the front springs from the struts. Tell me what you think.

1. Raise the car and put it on jack stands.
2. Raise the front suspension with your jack.
3. While the car is still all together get your air gun and remove the main nut (that is on the damper shaft) that holds on the top plate. You do not need to remove the top plate.
4. Then lower the front suspension until the spring is no longer compressed.
---Then you can remove the spring and damper.
5. Replace spring and reinstall damper. Just align the damper shaft with the hole of the top plate and jack up the front suspension.
6. Reinstall main nut.

I haven't tried it but it might save on the spring compressor and possible injury.

What do you think of that idea?

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

Absolutely not. That sounds extremely dangerous. There is a lot of pressure stored in the front springs. And how will you get the new spring in place and compressed to go back in? Not by jacking up under the front lower arms I can guarantee you. It would be great if it would, but it won't work. Not on the front. It does in the rear.

EnviedG35

iTrader: (2)

Dont see how its possible without a compressor. Proffesional wall mounted, spring compressor is the safest, and only way to go IMHO

black_sedan

iTrader: (2)

Maybe if you're just removing the springs it will work, but re-installing them might require a compressor unless the springs are short enough that they dont need to be compressed to put the top hats on.

You know autozone rents the spring compressor for free? You put a deposit on it, and they return the deposit once the spring compressor is returned.

Stanced370Z

dude just compress the springs. honestly theres nothing to it. don't ghetto rig an installation like this. i get what he's saying but do it right.

Austin713

you can rent a spring compressor from autozone for free. this procedure might have worked on a non coilover type setup (thats what i did on my mustang) but not on our cars.

MOB

Hmmmm.....how does somebody "rent" something for free? Wouldn't that technically be borrowing? hehehe

Kidcane

iTrader: (7)

Even if you have to pay $20 for the compressor. Stop being a cheap a$$ before someone gets killed by exploding spring to the head.

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

You pay the full price for the spring compressor (about $50 here) as a deposit. They give you a used one and you use it for up to 30 days. When you return it with the receipt they refund your full purchase price. Or you can keep it and it's yours. You can call it a loan, rent, or purchase, whichever you like.

I don't know if the OP was being cheap or just wanting to know if it was possible. It's certainly not the safest or most practical way to do it, and I seriously doubt that it's possible to compress new springs back on the strut assembly without a compressor.

use2vw

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the feedback and warnings...Woooh - not being cheap, just curious if possible to do that easily. I'll be sure to grab the right tools - compressor and all. Cheers!

RaulGCustom

iTrader: (50)

I've done it this way back in the day on the Hondas, but that was back then when I was younger and stupid. It is possible, but very dangerous. Aside from that, to get it to align is also another struggle.

just do it the right way the first time around. Better to be safe than sorry.

6mtg37s

iTrader: (1)

I read that when you take the spring/strut combo out you don't need a compressor in order to take the spring off the strut. And when your putting everything back on you can just put the spring/strut combo in without the top nut on and let the car's weight compress the spring and then put the top nut on. This is just an idea that I might try but the first part is fact according to this: https://www.myg37.com/forums/d-i-y-i...g-install.html

use2vw

iTrader: (2)

I wanted to know if the op would work because I wanted to try to keep the stock strut postioning and alignment straight. I figured once the top plate gets the 3 bolts dropped it will never go back the exact same position where as if I only dropped the main top nut...I could keep the plate in place and still remain pretty straight....Is this valid? or the plate removal and re-install doesn't really change things? Thanks again fellas..

black_sedan

iTrader: (2)

You will have to mark the top plate and the strut body to make sure you re-assemble everything the same way it was taken out. there may be an alignment mark, but i couldnt see them.