How hard is a spring install?

[Hash Brown]

Im going to use the Ls1 How-To guide, but I was wondering if its really that hard of an install and about how long it takes? Im just installing springs and not shocks. Im also renting a spring compressor from Autozone for the job.

Any info will be helpful.

Thanks, Trevor

[Tranzor_Z28]

backs are easy... fronts are a PITA. If you're going through the trouble of replacing the springs up front, go ahead and get some good shocks to go with them. You don't want to do this job just for the springs, then end up having to do the shocks a little while later because the stock shocks aren't up to the task of the new springs...

Do 'em both at the same time, trust me, you'll thank yourself later. :cool:

[anotherws6]

I second tranzor, get new shocks for the front along with the springs.

[Rotzy]

Anyone know of a website that has a walkthrough of a front and rear shock install?

[Tranzor_Z28]

www.ls1howto.com

[-=boM=-]

I would go with what Tranzor_Z28 said and do the shocks at the same time. if you are going to put kick ass springs on your need shcoks to match the performace of them. Stock springs will do ok but they may feel a bit bouncy. There is no reverse resistance to match performance springs <-make sense?
Ok I post a quick install guide.
I've had my springs on and off about 5 times now.
Forgive me but I can't remeber the correct tool sizes.
Also forgive me if I miss a step, I am going off what I remember and I have a bad memory sometimes.
It's easier to see it in front of me

Front SHOCKS & SPRINGS

Do one side at a time (meaning springs and shocks, not jacking one side of the car up at a time)

Jack up the FRONT of car and put it on stands

Take off the front wheels

Take off your STB if you have one

Undo the nuts on the strut tower in the engine bay (14 or 15 mm?) (Passenger side there are 2 nuts and 2 bolts) (Drivers side 2 nuts and 2 Torx bolts) (I think #40 or something?) To undo the two Torx bolts on the driver side you will need to move the brak fluid resevoir - There are two nuts, I think, attached to the master cylinder that you undo to accomplish this

Undo the two bolts on the K Member (black metal piece on the bottom that the strut is attached to, that hold the strut in place (12or 14mm?)

Now you might need a prybar to wedge it out. Pry the bottom of the strut where it meets the dip in the K member so you compress the spring enough to get the damn thing out. You may have to use a little force and wiggle it out at the same time

Remove the Upper A Arm from the strut (I think this is the right step?) ( I can't remember if the A Arm will just fall out of place or if there is 3 nuts holding it in place. Anyway remove it.

Now that you have the strut/shock pulled out, put 2 spring compressors on two sides of the springs and compress it evenly.

You only need to compress it about 1/4 inch so it won't fly apart and kill someone in the next step

Undo the little brass lock nut and pull the spring out

Decompress the spring slowly

If you are replacing shocks save the little uneven donut looking thing that sits in the strut cradle and put it on the new shock. Also make sure you align the end of the spring properly to the uneven groove of the donut. You'll se what I mean

Compress the new spring

Put the spring on the new/old strut and follow all the steps in reverse.



REAR SHOCKS

Fold down your back seat - yes fold it down. Put your front seats all the way forward and leaning forward.

Jack up rear

Put the sum bitch on stands

Take the wheels off

Go into the back of the car and look for 2 square cutouts in the carpet

Undo the the small nuts there. There will be one per side of the car

Undo the big nut on each of the shocks where the attach to the rear

The shocks should drop out now

Follow this in reverse to put the new ones on

Remeber to put the point of the shock in the hole in the back of the car first. It is easy to see from the bottom of the car. If you are having problems put some hair around it.


REAR SPRINGS

Jack up rear

Put the sum bitch on stands

Take the wheels off

Put a spring compressor in each side of each spring then compress until the spring falls out. You might have to pull in the spring a little to get it out. A guy with a set of stringbean arms can accomplish this.

Follow this steps above in reverse to put the new ones on.

Remeber to use the black rubber donut thingy on the top of the new springs too. Also make sure you align the end of the spring properly to the rubber peice.

Thants it. To to a shock/swap it took me 3 hours the first time. Now I have it down to 1 hour.

Lemme know if I miss anything?

Maybe the MODERATORS can make this stickey or something.

[JUSTINASS]

on the back - if not changing shocks
all you have to do is jack up rear by the diff.
place jackstands under the rear frame
un bolt the botom shock bolt on both sides
lower jack / diff.
the springs will almost fall out.

you do not have to take off tires or go thru the back seat

[Hash Brown]

A guy with a set of stringbean arms can accomplish this.

Good... Thats me Fo Shzl!!! 6'2'' and 137 lbs...:D

[DrEvyl]

Originally posted by Tranzor_Z28
backs are easy... fronts are a PITA. If you're going through the trouble of replacing the springs up front, go ahead and get some good shocks to go with them. You don't want to do this job just for the springs, then end up having to do the shocks a little while later because the stock shocks aren't up to the task of the new springs...

Do 'em both at the same time, trust me, you'll thank yourself later. :cool:

:werd:

The whole reason I haven't installed my springs yet is because I need shocks and don't wanna yank it all apart again... the fronts are a PITA.

Makes things easier if you have a pickle fork to get the spindle arm loose, too.

[Tranzor_Z28]

I got spring compressors that work pretty well should you need 'em, Zeke... I've used them and Mark's used them and they do the job. ;)