So I got some lowering springs and I did the back first and I went to do the front and there are coilovers on the front. I'm assuming they come stock with like that. To put the springs in the front do I need a spring compressor?

 

I kinda figured it out. Now, how do I unbolt the nut on top of the spring? The big one is a 17mm. Its just spinning the whole thing.

 

Are you using an impact? That usually does the trick. Some people (I am not recommending) will take a towel and wrap it around the shock shaft and hold it with a pair of channel locks. The towel is to keep from damaging the shock shaft, cause one little knick in the shaft and the shock will be ruined. But it can work.

I haven't taken mine apart but usually there's a small allen at the top of the shock to hold the shaft in place whilst using a wrench to break the nut free, is there something like that?

 

That's what my friend just recommended. It does have a sort of end to hold it's just awkward because it's not a shape you can get a socket on.

 

That is meant to be held with a wrench.

 

I figured that, I'm just confused on how it's supposed to be used. If you put a socket on the bigger one it covers it. I'm going to try the impact tomorrow. Hopefully that goes well.

 

Typically, a impact gun will provide the high speed, high torque needed to break that nut free. That said, if you do not have access to one, you will then need to use a offset "box-end" wrench on the nut (like this):

and something to hold the shaft to keep it from turning- either another wrench, locking pliers, etc.

***Make sure the spring is safely and securely compressed BEFORE removing that nut!***

 

Try a shock socket tool.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GFLNCFY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_H1pZFbEN14VET?_encoding=UT F8&psc=1

There are more simple variations available too.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO88C6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_K6pZFbTC1EWM7

Pro tip...loosen (and mostly remove) that nut before taking the shock out of the car. I doubt yours is going to come apart without a lot of fighting. You may want to put the shock back into the tower and try. That way the chassis is holding it for you.

If you cracked them loose a few threads while the car was still on the ground, your life may have been easier. Next time, I guess.

I don't recommend ever using an impact on a shock top nut. You can ruin the shock that way.

The stock shock has a rebound controller spring. So...you will need a very robust spring compressor in most cases.

 

So I got it off with the help of my friend and his milwaukee impact tool. One side came out pretty easy, the other side was just spinning everything so we put a vise grip on shock and it broke loose. No damage to the shock. After that we put the new springs on and jacked it back up into the car from the lower control arm. I will say if you don't have that top of the screw lined up just right it won't go through, at first it was jacking up the whole car but after some wiggling it slipped through fairly easy. It got dark so I'm going to finish tomorrow, have to put a few things back, might have lost one of the 17mm bolts for the bottom control arm but I ordered an extra from z1 just in case so worst case I wait few days. Will post pics when done.

 

Well I'm actually surprised in how much lower the car looks from the inside, definitely handles better. How important is getting an alignment after? Some have said their tires wore out after 3000 miles because they didn't get one after lowering it. The front appears to be straight, the back has a slight camber to it. I let go of the wheel and it still goes straight, the wobble I had in my steering wheel is actually gone.

 

Yes, you need an alignment to fix at least the toe.

The toe will change when you change any other geometry.

You're probably stuck with about the amount of camber you have. But they should be able to fix the toe.

Your car may be going straight...but it still needs an alignment after lowering.

 

I took it to my local shop and they said the back was too low to fit their equipment (alignment spotters don't fit). Do I need to find a performance shop to align it?