I've done lowering spring installs before & I have just pulled them out & then taken them to a shop to have the old springs removed & the new ones installed on the springs. Best idea ever!


Tonight, I decided to pick up the "tools" from Auto Zone. This turned out to be the worst idea ever!!!


I was able to fight one of the springs off & was unable to get the lowering spring compressed with the piece of crap tool.


I am taking them to the shop tomorrow to have them swapped around...Biggest waste of time that I have ever thought of.

***Warning the "spring compressor" tool is a bitch to work with!***

BTW, my car had V6 front springs, the middle lip of the fender was 27" from the ground. The BMR fronts are WAY shorter than the V6s, I hope it looks good.

 

I feel your pain! AZ spring compressor =
I ended up paying the alignment guy to swap the fronts...and I hate having other guys work on my car. But its money well spent and time well saved on the front springs I guess.
That f-ing AZ compressor is still laying in the corner (where I threw it).
I should probly go get my deposit back.

 

Those threaded rod claw hooks are a death trap waiting to catch you. I brought my front assemblies in to work (Ford dealer at the time) and did them late at night only to have one of the strut threaded rods break while tightening it back down. That sucked.

 

I had a lot of "fun" with the spring compressors too. I got it done, but I had to fight with it on the floor with a regular wrench. It's a good workout though. Next time I'll just bring them to the shop though. Lots of time spent on that stuff.

 

i'm looking to tackle my front springs next week. I've gotten eibach drag launch kit springs down to stock size with them before and those springs are huge. Best thing is use air tools

 

I knew there was a reason I didn't mess with the AZ tool before.
I paid $30 to have them done today...

 

what is the going rate on a front spring/shock swap? The backs are easy enough..

 

It took me 1 hour to install the new springs/struts & have the car on the ground for a test drive.

I am boggled though...I thought there would be atleast a 1" drop. The BMRs are used, so I don't expect them to settle.

Here is a pic of the 2 springs side by side.



Here is the gap with the V6 springs.



Here is the gap with the BMRs. (after a short test drive)

 

When I installed my springs I had to have a shop install the fronts cause the spring compressor would not fit between the coils of the hotchkis.

 

it looks like the V6 springs were lower.....

 

It is close...I like the way it drives alot better now!