rear susp. question Options

[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

[Aaron Cox]

thanks.....they are original boge's w/ original porsche springs kinda saggy

[Brad Roberts]

Dave,

if you where actually on Pelicans payroll/401K you could be held accountable. Otherwise.. you rank right up there with Rusty/Andy/Jeroen/Me/Olav.

Automotion sold springs for over 20 years with the instructions including my "spare tire use" They didnt seem to have a problem.


B

[Jeroen]

Since you have new shocks and new springs, it would be pretty easy to check if you need a springcompressor or not
(my guess is that you are not gonna bother taking the old spring off the old shock)

If you do need one, I suggest you go rent or buy it!

Some of the tricks here can be good, but they come from people who are either a wrench by profession, or just have done this a gazilion times before...

To a lot of people here, stuff like this is new and have never done it before (that includes me). So with tools in hand we are a danger to ourselves and society (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Be smart, play it safe!

cheers,

Jeroen

[Bleyseng]

RENT ONE! Go to your Flaps or a rental shop to get it and play it safe.

I have removed several sets without and some with and its way safer to use the spring compressor. Although, its kinda funny to see that new hole in the wall over there...
Geoff

[Aaron Cox]

thanks a bunch guys!

hope i can get it all done in a day! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Aaron Cox]

the deed has been done! only took about an hour and a half. oh- the ride is so much better! a little tailhappy tho! (2.0 w.o swaybars) the 140 lb'rs are about twice as stiff as my saggy ones....great ride. now....anyone want to donate to my front suspension fund?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ChrisReale]

the deed has been done! only took about an hour and a half. oh- the ride is so much better! a little tailhappy tho! (2.0 w.o swaybars) the 140 lb'rs are about twice as stiff as my saggy ones....great ride. now....anyone want to donate to my front suspension fund?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Tought shit! You started down the path and ther is no looking back! Get a 19mm sway bar, and maybe 20mm torsion bars. While you are at it, new ball joints, susp. bushings, turbo tie rods.......You are SOL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Bleyseng]

Got a 19mm front bar for you to buy. Cheap
Geoff

[Aaron Cox]

how cheap is cheap? i have acces to a parts car that has front and rear stock ones. i am interested- is it a weltmeister?

[Bleyseng]

$50, its a old school one without adjustable drop links. I have seen a few in my day but I don't know who made them. I will take a picture of it.
Geoff

[Aaron Cox]

how old is ''old'' for your springs and what size are they do you have the shocks and what kind of shape they in ? i dont have a problem with good used. so,yes im interested. also would like to find other good used parts.....

uh..the original springs and sjocks (boges and 90 lbers) the shocks are totally wasted, can move them up and down buy hand! the springs are 30 years old. if you want em theyre yours +s/h (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) still intersted? otherwise they go to the trashcan or into a super custom sofa! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)