Springs Install

[JBreen10]

Hi All,

Finally decided its time to go a slight bit lower (no more sweet jumps and 4x4ing )

Picked up a set of H&R Sport Springs (Thank You GTR Auto for the fantastic price as always)

Just weighing out the pros and cons of DIY or getting a shop to do it.

DIY:
Judging by the amount of people that have done this and the amount of info there is out there I figure I could probably plug my way through this with a friend and I have/can borrow all the required tools. Just curious if anyone has any tricks/tips/things to watch for if I take this route. I'm assuming someone here has done this work before, and would rather hear it from you guys vs. a post from 4 years ago.

Shop Install:
Preferably would save some money and not take this option but I figure i'm going to do an alignment afterwards so its gotta go to a shop anyhow. Any suggestions for places that I could get in quick/use my newly acquired Eurodrivers discount (thanks Rod)/or any direction on what this has typically cost people in the past. (Haven't had my car into any shops around town other than the dealership)

What would you guys recommend for someone that would be doing this for their first time?

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Springs Install

If you want a shop to do it, come see me at Calgary Autoworks, we will make sure it gets taken care of.

[Danaldson]

Re: Springs Install

Getting a shop to do it will probly cost you twice as much as the springs cost you. Do it yourself.

It's pretty easy. Just give yourself a weekend to get it done in case bolts or anything like that at stubborn.

Spring compressor,
Strut spreader tool and you are set.


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[MechEngg]

Re: Springs Install

I would agree that it costs quite a bit for a shop to do the install vs a DIY method. But you do get some type of mechanical warranty on the work performed and you know that they are installed correctly. So if you are doubting your mechanical skills, suspension is definitely something shop worthy.

If you are even a little bit mechanically inclined, i'd be willing to bet that you would get a lot more satisfaction from installing them yourself. Just read up on the procedure, see if there are any non-standard tools that you require or if you need anything completed by an outside party (not typical of suspension, but for wheel bearings for instance a shop could press them into the spindle for you) and then evaluate and see if you are comfortable doing the work yourself.

Both have their pros and cons, certainly a lot of people on here enjoy the DIY method, however i can see where the lure of the shop is appealing if you are working a ton, not mechanically inclined, or don't have a place to work on it yourself.

[JBreen10]

Re: Springs Install

Did a little more reading last night and yeah I think i'll give it a shot myself, might as well and try and learn something along the way. Cars at 70000km with regular scheduled maintenance, anything else i should check out or replace while i've got it pulled apart?

MechEngg and Danaldson yeah i'm slowly starting to realize the shop route can be a bit expensive thanks for the heads up. I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined, guess we will just find out, whats the worst that can happen right? Wheel spacers installed on top of the springs?

BaggedGLI I'll bring it by when i manage to screw this all up

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Springs Install

It's really not a horrible DIY job at all, just a bit frustrating sometimes if you come across a stubborn bolt or anything like that. Coilovers were the first "bigger" project I tackled on my MK6 - it was just me and one other person, and I think we got it done in about 3.5-4 hours. I don't think you should have any problems doing it yourself as long as you have the right tools, and especially if you have someone around who has done it before.

[MechEngg]

Re: Springs Install

...whats the worst that can happen right? Wheel spacers installed on top of the springs?

That never happens :P

[JBreen10]

Re: Springs Install

^^ Its just never going to get old! Such a good photo.

[Stonewall]

Re: Springs Install

I have a spring compressor and spreader tool you can borrow.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Springs Install

Tools can be borrowed from Canadian Tire usually also.

Just be careful, those springs are under a lot of tension and it's possible to loose a finger, or your face.

Take your time and make sure you do it safely. Even I was able to do it so it can't be that hard. Good luck!

[JBreen10]

Re: Springs Install

I have a spring compressor and spreader tool you can borrow.

Thanks Stonewall, but already grabbed a set from a friend, and picked up that spreader socket from Concept-1 for $15 (came with 2 sizes? not sure what the bigger one is for)

Tools can be borrowed from Canadian Tire usually also.

Just be careful, those springs are under a lot of tension and it's possible to loose a finger, or your face.

Take your time and make sure you do it safely. Even I was able to do it so it can't be that hard. Good luck!

Cross your fingers for me that I don't lose my face

Also picked up the few "1-time use" bolts from the dealership, moslty concerned about the drive axle bolts, but i'm hoping i don't have to disconnect the hub from the axle, it seems like guys have pretty consistently been able to drop everything low enough to squeeze the strut assembly out. Whats your guys take on this?

Just waiting for springs now.........

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Springs Install

Also picked up the few "1-time use" bolts from the dealership, moslty concerned about the drive axle bolts, but i'm hoping i don't have to disconnect the hub from the axle, it seems like guys have pretty consistently been able to drop everything low enough to squeeze the strut assembly out. Whats your guys take on this?

I never had to take any of those single use bolts out, even when I was putting the stock suspension back in.