So... I had a set of quick jacks that I sold. Got the new ones... didn't follow the instructions and 3 hours later than anticipated I figured out my rookie mistake. Back wheels off (man the sonic tools are amazing) and I have my spring compressed tool I borrowed from O'reilly's. The clamps are too thick to really get in there. I'm ~5/10 skill level on wrenching but just couldn't figure this one out.

Does anyone have tips or know of a video DIY? I want to lower the spring perched on the bottom of the rear springs. Any advice?

 

I tried and tried to do them while on the car-ended up having to remove the strut assembly from the car and compress the spring/move the perch. Simple once you have done them once.

 

Clarifying question: Are you suggesting that there is an upper and lower spring perch setting on our cars? If so, is it possible to achieve a slightly lower ride height by simply selecting the higher perch setting - assuming the factory setting is utilizing the lower setting?

DaveGee

 

There is a perch on the bottom that I know of - I do not believe there is adjustability on the top. The bottom can be adjusted but its a PITA.

 

Hey garfunkle, I was in your shoes just recently - you'll find my thread here detailing it in all its gory glory!

With that being said, the way to get the perches lowered is compress the springs to take the tension of the perches, use a rubber mallet to tap the cover up and off the little metal c-clamp... once you get the cover off, take a flat tip screwdriver to move the c-clamp to the lowest setting, take your rubber mallet and tap the cover back on, repeat for the other side... and you're good!

Happy to walk you through facetime also if you need

 

I remember this process and reading a thread about it but I can't get the springs compressed with the tool I borrowed from O'reilly's. How much room do you need to slide the cover up and access the C'clamp? 1/4 inch? an inch?

 

To be honest, I had difficulty fitting a spring compressor - there's just not enough clearance for me... you could do the zip tie trick where you compress the spring from the bottom up with a floor jack, and then tie down the spring in it's compressed state with many zip ties (use 175lb tensile strength if not higher)... use probably 8-10 per spring to be safe?

I would just loosen the 3 nuts, remove the strut, properly compress the spring outside of the vehicle, adjust the perches, and then reinstall - it's the most time consuming, but will be the safest and makes sure you're not wedging tools in etc..

 

I thought this was going to be about fishing...