just a quickie

[bigg_vin]

im changing my front springs.....

no matter what i do, i cannot loosen the top bolt on the strut.... is there a trick to it?

the whole shocker just keeps turning......

will an impact gun do the trick? (all i need is an air compressor!)

[craigvk]

Probably a combination of large vice grips and a spanner should do it. I can't picture it at the moment. I have seen it done before though but can't quite remember.

[bigg_vin]

ive tried with vice grips and with the spring compressed and not compressed...... put a breaker bar on the end but still all i get is spinnage!!!

[craigvk]

You are using a spring compressor right?! You need to compress the spring first, take the top off and then withdraw the spring assembly with it still compressed, then replace the strut and put it all back.

[calais_cruzin]

a rattle gun is about the only thing that gets em off easily...try wack it with spanner to jar the nut it may help it com off if u cant get a hold of rattle gun

[atrail308]

i've come across the same problem heaps of times, without a rattle gun one of the only other ways is to use a rag on the shaft and clamp is as hard as you can with vice grips / locking plyers...

[bigg_vin]

im using spring compressors, but not the machine...... just the 3 threaded hook things that you buy from bursons......

problem is that when i compress the spring, and try to take that top plate off, the bolt that holds the top plate on is connected to the inner strut of the shocker, and therefore the whole thing spins.

ill try with the rag, but i reckon ill have to wait till i can get a rattle gun, cos its pretty bloody tight!

thanks

[atrail308]

they're the only compressors i use as well...

[bigg_vin]

and you reckon a rag and vice grips will work? i acnt try at the moment cos its pissing down....

do you reconmend and substance to spray ont he top nut? ive tried wurth rost off ice, which is like a heavy duty crc....
thanks

[craigvk]

Inox seems to be the best I find. Let it penitrate into it.

[bigg_vin]

i got it off...

now, im pulling a dodgy cos i cant afford new springs, so im cutting em.

its a v8, how many coils can i cut? i was told to only cut one coil, but that doesnt look like it will make much difference.... or will it? i would like to slam it..... but still not bottom out or hit the guard.....

ill only cut them from the bottom. and ofcourse inline with the previous cut....

[Goon]

Can't afford new springs.. you should atleast try the wreckers for a better set.

[craigvk]

Don't cut them bigg. A set of springs should be just over $100. You don't want to cut them. Get the job done right.

[craigvk]

Can't afford new springs.. you should atleast try the wreckers for a better set.

Finding exactly what you want at the wreckers such as lowered springs would be like finding a needle in a hay stack.

[veeque92]

cutting the springs, you tool, it is the stupidest thing you can do.
It just aint safe and you will see that when something happens to your car,
Try ebay or something theres always cheap springs on there.

[bigg_vin]

people have been chopping their springs for ages......

my 202 was chopped as well, but the springs were variable and easier to determine where to cut tem.

[craigvk]

cutting the springs, you tool, it is the stupidest thing you can do.

I don't think calling people a tool is a good attitude.

[bigg_vin]

thanks slim, i got ya back to......

[bigg_vin]

has anyone chopped their springs and had major complications afterwards? and has anyone chopped their springs and had no problems?

[bigg_vin]

ok.... i will buy some springs.....

does anyone have ultra lows fitted to their car? would you please be able to post a pic? same goes for super lows....

which ones would you guys recommend?

much appreciated...

[craigvk]

Check out my ride. It's 2 inches lower. Lower it too much and your car will look and ride like a boat. Don't forget to get lowered shocks too, or your springs will fall out if you attempted a dukes of hazard stunt.

[bigg_vin]

hahahaha, no dukes of hazard for me. but there are good scenes in that movie....

what springs did you use?
cheers

[craigvk]

I got my car from my brother and he got it from some guy through the trading post or something. So as far as where the springs came from or what brand they are, who knows.

When I got my car road worthied, the guy who did it put it up on the hoist and obviously the back dropped and he noticed the springs were wobbly and virtually just sitting there, so he said to me that the coils could fall out if the car went over a big drop (Dukes of Hazard) and said that's one thing to fix. The first thing I looked at was the shocks. Yep, you guessed it. Lowered springs with stock shocks. Replaced the shocks with Monroe GT gas lowered ones (2 inches smaller) and it was all good. If the proper shockers are installed, the springs can't be removed unless the shockers are taken out first.

[craigvk]

King springs seem to be peoples choice. They are around 200+ bucks a set plus the cost of shocks/struts.

[bigg_vin]

yeah ive decided to use king springs.... but im wondering if the ultra lows will be too low, or is super lows will be adequate.....