rear susp. question Options

[Aaron Cox]

hi guys, back from my week long lurking experience....

any way. i got my 140 lb welt. springs and my bilstein adjustable perch shocks now. next weekend is install day.

*what perch setting should i use?
*do i need a spring compressor?
*what's all this about tie-wrapping the spring into the perch?
*top or bottom perch?

can you guys help me out?
n e 1 been there done that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[TMorr]

Another way to avoid needing a spring compressor to remove your old springs;
Not endorsed by me, but I have done this without injury numerous times (BMW 2002 fronts)

With the car on stands and wheels off, put the floor jack under the hub of one wheel, gently jack until the weight of the car is about to come off the stand most local to the hub you are under.

That spring is now pretty much fully compressed, using stout twine, or tie wire, make numerous laps end to end around the wire coils (closest to the perches). Lash the ties so they dont slip on the wire helix. Do opposite sides of the spring, so it is retained in a balanced fashion.

Now when you lower the hub, the spring is "prevented" from opening by the lashing. At most you will have about 600lbs stored in the spring, so the twine or wire is not very heavily taxed. The less you compress in the initial lift of the less energy stored in the spring.

You will be able to remove the spring without a compresser. Best of all, especially on the BMW, you can put them back on without a compresser (after you change the damper insert). If you dont want to store the springs with the energy trapped by the string or wire, take DD's advice and point them at a wall, or under a blanket or something.

Remember to count your fingers at the end of every stage of the project.

Hayden PTBT