Installing Ultra Lows

[Mick1988]

Hi guys,

I just bought a brand new set of Ultra low King Springs from eBay. I would like to fit them myself if possible but I have a few questions to ask first.

1. What tools would I need to do the job?
2. I looked in the how to section but there wasn't really a very clear step-by-step guide on changing the springs. Anyone know of a step-by-step guide with pictures?

Cheers in advance for your help.

[kk-kolonel]

I have fitted ultra low springs to my VH wagon..

I am not sure how this relates to your VX but most Commy suspension is very similar (ie: coils all around - barring the fact that around 1990 the IRS option came in)

The tools you require are...
Decent Floor Jack
Axle Stands
Spring Compressor
Hand tools - Spanners, Sockets etc.

Now the job is fairly straight forward for changing.. But the complications arise with super low suspension when the shocks bottom out in their stroke and on the bumpstops.

For mine to work I had to also buy shorter R shocks and smaller F bumpstops. So I ended up buying new super low springs, standard F shocks, shorter R shocks and smaller F bumpstops.

Once you get past these complications and change the springs successfully you will need to perform a wheel alignment to get everything back true. You could do with buying some adjustable caster plates as excessive caster becomes an issue at this height (this leads to vague steering at higway and over speeds)

Being as you are asking this question it may be in your interest to pay someone to do the job for you the first time and watch so you can get a handle on how to do it next time.

However if you are determined to give it a jam, leave a message and Ill give a blow by blow account of how to actually change these over..

[Mick1988]

Alright maybe I'll get my dad to give me a hand. He used to build and mod Toranas and HQ Holdens when he was my age so he should be able to show me and explain the setup. Cheers for your help.

[vn_v6]

the spring compressor isnt that neccisery, just undo the shock absorber, this will let the axle drop and then push down on the hub with your foot, and pull the spring out, then to get it back in, get a 2nd jack, stick it under the hub, put the ultra low in, then wind the jack under the hub up, until the bolt for the shock lines up with the hole, bolt shock in, 1 down 1 to go

[drift-it]

rears are easy as:
i fitted super lows to my vt...ultra lows require the lowered shock as kk has stated. jack the vehicle up and place jack stands under the front IRS mounting bolts.

removing the stock springs requires the lower shock mounts being removed. and the swaybar link pin bolts...you dont need spring compressors but having them will make it a bit easier to remove the stock springs...i just levered them out...place the ultra lows on the spring mounts and refit the sway bar link pins and lower shocky bolt (you may have to remove the jack stands and lower the wheels back onto the ground to get the shock back in).

when lowering the vehicle back down make sure that the top of the springs goes onto its centering mount.

fronts require removing the strut assembly and compressing the springs...not so fun when they let go either:S

[BOGANV8]

the spring compressor isnt that neccisery, just undo the shock absorber, this will let the axle drop and then push down on the hub with your foot, and pull the spring out, then to get it back in, get a 2nd jack, stick it under the hub, put the ultra low in, then wind the jack under the hub up, until the bolt for the shock lines up with the hole, bolt shock in, 1 down 1 to go

The only bad side to this is the risk the coil exploding under tension and damaging brake lines and wiring.. I would strongly recommend SPRING COMPRESSORS as it make it easier and SAFER.

If you still want to do it without S/C then pull the whole strut out and lay it on the ground and brace the coil with your foot and rattle the nut off that way but just point the strut out into the open.

Also jacking the strut assembly back doesnt always work as the shock can slide down and be hard to put back up the hole, Also the top bearing plate might be stuffed and the rubber bush in the top HAVE to be aligned up properly too otherwise you will get bad noises in the front..

[MR_VX]

when you get them in send us a picture i was thinking of doing the same to mine

[vn_v6]

btw i was talking about the rears, and ive done it on my live axle a few times, not sure about IRS

[kk-kolonel]

Sorry, to avoid confusion please let me say spring compressors are needed for the front (IMHO if you consider safety they are necessary and important for Macpherson Strut suspension) Not so necessary for the rear springs though.

[BOGANV8]

totally agree for the front now other way really, Rear are not needed but sometime help as the rear arm doesn't always drop low enough due to the driveshaft

[feistl]

Im hoping your changing the shocks and fitting a camber kit as well.

Ultra low springs are one thing, but getting the car to handle properly will require short shocks, camber kit (If IRS otherwise adj panhard rod) and possibly alignment if coming from standard (Non-FE2) suspension.

Best of luck though...