Spring/shock install
12-14-2010, 02:23 AM
#1
Spring/shock install I did a search, but didn't come up with anything because the search has been retarded for a couple years now. Is there a write up on how to do this? Do I really NEED a spring compressor? The reason I ask is because I spoke to a friend who has done this and he said he didn't use a compressor all the times he has done this.
Last edited by SSmokin99; 12-19-2010 at 02:44 AM.
12-14-2010, 08:32 AM
#2
you will need the compressor for the fronts, not the rears. Im not sure where the write up is, but its not all the complicated.
for the rears, just raise up the rear of the car, put jackstands on the rear frame and let the rear end drop down. move the jack back under the rear and jack it up just enough so that the shock bolts attaching it to the rear are straight.
unbolt the shock there, let the rear drop again, and the spring will pull out.
move back the rear carpet behind the rear seat, and unbolt the nut to the top of the shock.
the fronts are a little more tricky, but do require the compressor. check gmhtp.com for articles on it. had to have been done in those mags about 50 times by now.
for the rears, just raise up the rear of the car, put jackstands on the rear frame and let the rear end drop down. move the jack back under the rear and jack it up just enough so that the shock bolts attaching it to the rear are straight.
unbolt the shock there, let the rear drop again, and the spring will pull out.
move back the rear carpet behind the rear seat, and unbolt the nut to the top of the shock.
the fronts are a little more tricky, but do require the compressor. check gmhtp.com for articles on it. had to have been done in those mags about 50 times by now.
12-14-2010, 09:58 AM
#6
I took the front shock assembly into a shop and they swapped springs onto the new shocks for $20....they were even fighting the nut for about 20 minutes on each side and still charged that price. Definitely worth $20 to me to not have to get a spring compressor and fight the nut and swap things around!
12-14-2010, 12:46 PM
#7
I took the front shock assembly into a shop and they swapped springs onto the new shocks for $20....they were even fighting the nut for about 20 minutes on each side and still charged that price. Definitely worth $20 to me to not have to get a spring compressor and fight the nut and swap things around!
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12-14-2010, 02:51 PM
#11
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I did a search, but didn't come up with anything because the search has been retarded for a couple years now. Is there a write up on how to do this? Do I really NEED a spring compressor? The reason I ask is because I spoke to a friend who has done this and he said he didn't use a compressor all the times he has done this.
12-14-2010, 04:40 PM
#12
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https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...all-video.html
^Helps out a lot even if you aren't getting the Stranos or Koni Shocks.
Oh and for the top of the shocks, both front and rear with spinning shafts, what I did was find the wrench that fits the nuts and use a pair of vice grips to hold the shaft.
It didn't take too long.....
^Helps out a lot even if you aren't getting the Stranos or Koni Shocks.
Oh and for the top of the shocks, both front and rear with spinning shafts, what I did was find the wrench that fits the nuts and use a pair of vice grips to hold the shaft.
It didn't take too long.....
Last edited by SteelCityYaga; 12-14-2010 at 04:44 PM. Reason: forgot the n and the t...LoL
12-14-2010, 04:57 PM
#13
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...all-video.html
^Helps out a lot even if you aren't getting the Stranos or Koni Shocks.
Oh and for the top of the shocks, both front and rear with spinning shafts, what I did was find the wrench that fits the nuts and use a pair of vice grips to hold the shaft.
It didn't take too long.....
^Helps out a lot even if you aren't getting the Stranos or Koni Shocks.
Oh and for the top of the shocks, both front and rear with spinning shafts, what I did was find the wrench that fits the nuts and use a pair of vice grips to hold the shaft.
It didn't take too long.....
12-16-2010, 04:29 PM
#14
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spring install I disagree. I installed my koni/bmr with out a spring compressor. Well one side. I think I was able to acomplish this because of rust. I had the strut assembly out, threw a tire and wheel over top while putting pressure on it. Impact wrench the nut off and released my weight off the tire and the upper mount did nothing. I ended up throwing the strut into the woods and when it hit a tree the pressure broke the rust free. Installation was very hard but it went in with out the compressor. The other side I ended up getting a compressor because the nut was siezed and would not come off so I had to cut and wasnt messing around with cutting on a shock with loaded springs. Recommendation Goto autozone and rent a spring compressor!!!!!!!!
12-16-2010, 06:07 PM
#15
harbor freight has them for $10...
http://www.harborfreight.com/macpher...-set-3980.html
can be a pain in the ***, but i wouldn't take any chances. i imagine those front springs could kill you if you're not careful.
http://www.harborfreight.com/macpher...-set-3980.html
can be a pain in the ***, but i wouldn't take any chances. i imagine those front springs could kill you if you're not careful.
12-16-2010, 06:46 PM
#16
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please use a spring compressor they are under a lot of load, you can also damage the motor mounts if they are stuck on the old shaft and the spring pushes up tearing the rubber, stupid rust sucks, cut the old shock out and pound on the old shaft with a punch and mallet, much easier then trying to cut the dam nut.
12-17-2010, 03:47 AM
#17
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I disagree. I installed my koni/bmr with out a spring compressor. Well one side. I think I was able to acomplish this because of rust. I had the strut assembly out, threw a tire and wheel over top while putting pressure on it. Impact wrench the nut off and released my weight off the tire and the upper mount did nothing. I ended up throwing the strut into the woods and when it hit a tree the pressure broke the rust free. Installation was very hard but it went in with out the compressor. The other side I ended up getting a compressor because the nut was siezed and would not come off so I had to cut and wasnt messing around with cutting on a shock with loaded springs. Recommendation Goto autozone and rent a spring compressor!!!!!!!!
12-17-2010, 05:51 AM
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I disagree. I installed my koni/bmr with out a spring compressor. Well one side. I think I was able to acomplish this because of rust. I had the strut assembly out, threw a tire and wheel over top while putting pressure on it. Impact wrench the nut off and released my weight off the tire and the upper mount did nothing. I ended up throwing the strut into the woods and when it hit a tree the pressure broke the rust free. Installation was very hard but it went in with out the compressor. The other side I ended up getting a compressor because the nut was siezed and would not come off so I had to cut and wasnt messing around with cutting on a shock with loaded springs. Recommendation Goto autozone and rent a spring compressor!!!!!!!!
I guess some people are so proud of their stupidity that they have to post examples of it. The spring compressors are available for free use, as posted above, so not doing it the right way is just plain retarded. Otherwise, stand back (far back) when fools are at work.
Most people that do the reassembly without the spring compessor don't get the top nut fully tightened down. They end up with a clunking noise from the front end and get to take it apart and do it again. So, I stand behind my original statement - you can't do it without a spring compressor. Unless someone else wants to display their stupidity.
Imagine him looking it over, trying to figure out why it won't come apart before he "threw it in the woods". If it had decided to break free while he was looking at it, it could have smashed his face.
Last edited by pjb; 12-17-2010 at 06:15 AM.
12-17-2010, 06:01 PM
#19
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I installed stranos on my stock shocks. I recommend getting the bilsteins at least. The rust on the factory shocks where the nut is sucks! I had to cut the nut off. It would have been way easier for me to just buy a set of new shocks with the springs. Now I gotta do the install again which i'm not looking forward to.
Oh, it's not a hard job. just a few bolts here and there. Really no need to look up installation instructions.
Oh, it's not a hard job. just a few bolts here and there. Really no need to look up installation instructions.
If your to damn lazy to do the job using the right tools than maybe you shouldn't do it.......