Call me a wimp, but . .
03-07-2010, 05:39 PM
#1
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Call me a wimp, but . .
In my slooow auto to manual swap, I finally removed my rear struts and springs as I am upgrading to Bilstein/Eibachs. I put the old spring assembly into the new strut spring compressor I got from Autozone (OEM brand - looks pretty sturdy) and started loosening the top nut.
and then I stopped as a cold sweat broke - I retightened the top nut - and will tkae it somewhere for someone to do it for me. I figured it's just not worth the risk.
and then I stopped as a cold sweat broke - I retightened the top nut - and will tkae it somewhere for someone to do it for me. I figured it's just not worth the risk.
03-07-2010, 05:47 PM
#2
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What kind of compressor did you get? I bought clamp style with the long rod and I got 2 sets for added assurance.
The springs are under large pressure but if you believe the rears are bad the fronts will scare you to death!
The springs are under large pressure but if you believe the rears are bad the fronts will scare you to death!
03-07-2010, 05:58 PM
#3
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In my slooow auto to manual swap, I finally removed my rear struts and springs as I am upgrading to Bilstein/Eibachs. I put the old spring assembly into the new strut spring compressor I got from Autozone (OEM brand - looks pretty sturdy) and started loosening the top nut.
and then I stopped as a cold sweat broke - I retightened the top nut - and will tkae it somewhere for someone to do it for me. I figured it's just not worth the risk.
and then I stopped as a cold sweat broke - I retightened the top nut - and will tkae it somewhere for someone to do it for me. I figured it's just not worth the risk.
I would say less than a hours labor.
03-07-2010, 06:00 PM
#4
A semi-safer way to do it is to get the nut loosened to just before it releases, and then let the shock and assembly shoot itself apart in the driveway. I take no responsibility for what the pieces hit.
03-07-2010, 06:48 PM
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03-07-2010, 07:10 PM
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I used the auto zone tools for all 4 of mine worked great. I just used another set last night to pull my front off. They work great. I'm goingto keep this set because I cut them down to work better on the front set up.
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03-07-2010, 07:37 PM
#8
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Brendan does it all the time.
Just don't stare at that spring shaped dent on his forehead and don't mind his strange stutter stutter.
Clamp the spring down safely and do not listen to Brendan.
The other thread mentioned that using 3 spring clamps will help stabilize the setup. If using 2 clamps, one of them have been known to start walking . . .
Just don't stare at that spring shaped dent on his forehead and don't mind his strange stutter stutter.
Clamp the spring down safely and do not listen to Brendan.
The other thread mentioned that using 3 spring clamps will help stabilize the setup. If using 2 clamps, one of them have been known to start walking . . .
03-07-2010, 07:46 PM
#9
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Ken, I understand your hesitation. The first couple I did, I was the same way. Once you take a few apart you get alot more comfortable. I just took some coil overs apart today. It was a piece of cake. Just be carefull.
03-07-2010, 09:25 PM
#10
Listen guys - simmer down. I have done it and it works for me. The reason I think its "safer" is because *in my opinion* its much more dangerous over a set period of time to have 500lbs of spring pressure sitting coiled up against an unknown quality metal spring compressor hook. Most of those pieces (even the snap on stuff) is cast - casting flaws happen - and I would rather not be trusting something like that when I can simply make sure that the "danger" is pointed away from me and I loosen it and let it go over a 30 second period.
No one has to agree with my logic. But my logic wrt to "how long" you are in a danger zone is valid. I only do this when I am replacing shocks that will be going in the garbage. But that is the only time I have every taken a set apart that had tension - all the coilovers I have done have had the ability to assembly out of tension.
Now that I think about it, I don't think you guys understand what I am doing. And further - standing over a compressed steel projectile with a cast set of hooks and threads between you and a "dent" in your head doesn't sound any better.
No one has to agree with my logic. But my logic wrt to "how long" you are in a danger zone is valid. I only do this when I am replacing shocks that will be going in the garbage. But that is the only time I have every taken a set apart that had tension - all the coilovers I have done have had the ability to assembly out of tension.
Now that I think about it, I don't think you guys understand what I am doing. And further - standing over a compressed steel projectile with a cast set of hooks and threads between you and a "dent" in your head doesn't sound any better.
Brendan does it all the time.
Just don't stare at that spring shaped dent on his forehead and don't mind his strange stutter stutter.
Clamp the spring down safely and do not listen to Brendan.
The other thread mentioned that using 3 spring clamps will help stabilize the setup. If using 2 clamps, one of them have been known to start walking . . .
Just don't stare at that spring shaped dent on his forehead and don't mind his strange stutter stutter.
Clamp the spring down safely and do not listen to Brendan.
The other thread mentioned that using 3 spring clamps will help stabilize the setup. If using 2 clamps, one of them have been known to start walking . . .
03-07-2010, 09:36 PM
#11
Drifting
I put the shock tube in the vise to secure it. I have it laid on its side and I stand perpendicular so in the event a spring compressor fails, I won't be standing in the direct path of any flying objects.
03-07-2010, 10:14 PM
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I had this happen inadvertenly when the spring compressors walked themselves off the spring. This on a spring about 1/3 the rate of a 928 spring. One spring compressor embedded itself about 3inches into the timber roof joist. The other landed in the garden having gone clean through the 1/2inch ply roof sheeting.
Definietely not advisable
03-07-2010, 10:20 PM
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Listen guys - simmer down. I have done it and it works for me. The reason I think its "safer" is because *in my opinion* its much more dangerous over a set period of time to have 500lbs of spring pressure sitting coiled up against an unknown quality metal spring compressor hook. Most of those pieces (even the snap on stuff) is cast - casting flaws happen - and I would rather not be trusting something like that when I can simply make sure that the "danger" is pointed away from me and I loosen it and let it go over a 30 second period.
No one has to agree with my logic. But my logic wrt to "how long" you are in a danger zone is valid. I only do this when I am replacing shocks that will be going in the garbage. But that is the only time I have every taken a set apart that had tension - all the coilovers I have done have had the ability to assembly out of tension.
Now that I think about it, I don't think you guys understand what I am doing. And further - standing over a compressed steel projectile with a cast set of hooks and threads between you and a "dent" in your head doesn't sound any better.
No one has to agree with my logic. But my logic wrt to "how long" you are in a danger zone is valid. I only do this when I am replacing shocks that will be going in the garbage. But that is the only time I have every taken a set apart that had tension - all the coilovers I have done have had the ability to assembly out of tension.
Now that I think about it, I don't think you guys understand what I am doing. And further - standing over a compressed steel projectile with a cast set of hooks and threads between you and a "dent" in your head doesn't sound any better.
I will say I know one guy that has brain damage from doing what you are recommending.
BTW, the Snap on's and every other one I have ever used were forged.
In addition to my wall mount I have three other sets, all forged.