Decompressing stock springs by jacking?

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by Koa

While not recommended for all McPherson setups, I and others (mostly thanks to Jeebo, mentioned by cnk above) have found you can undo the nut of the front struts while the car is on the ground, and then simply jack the car up and take off as normal. It will pop down, but the force is so neglible that it has been determined a safe procedure to do. I personally have done this twice on the twins, once on my friend's, and once on mine. Each time was as predicted.

YMMV but I doubt it! Have fun

I used this method as well with ease. The only danger was trying to carefully remove the struts without scratching the fenders.

But I think the important thing people should note is that whilst it works well on this car, you should never assume the same results on other cars!

[breadcrumbz]

I've done this recently to install my rsr super down springs by following that video. It works fine; the only trouble was that I had to make 2 trips to auto zone because I didn't have long enough Allen keys to fit through the pass through when unbolting the top nuts in the rear lol.

[ap5512]

Originally Posted by breadcrumbz

I've done this recently to install my rsr super down springs by following that video. It works fine; the only trouble was that I had to make 2 trips to auto zone because I didn't have long enough Allen keys to fit through the pass through when unbolting the top nuts in the rear lol.

What's the minimum length required for it to pass through...looks like I may have to make a trip myself..

[breadcrumbz]

Originally Posted by ap5512

What's the minimum length required for it to pass through...looks like I may have to make a trip myself..

I just bought the "long" Allen key set. The standard sized ones didn't make it through. Also used vice grips to hold the Allen keys while my friend unbolted the nut.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by 1Cor10:23

Won't have to worry about rears, that can stay I'm one piece - just have to get my camber plates off the fronts!

Do you already have lowering springs? If so, there's VERY little compression happening at resting length and you can probably take the top hats off one handed without a spring compressor. I was able to easily compress the spring enough to get the nut fully on by myself without a spring compressor.


Anyone worried about the sway bar, either do both sides at once and lift from the center jack point or disconnect one end link. You have to undo the end links from the struts if you're removing them from the car anyway!

[1Cor10:23]

@wparsons I have raceseng plates on stock struts right now. Need to decompress to get them off and onto my ohlins

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by ap5512

What's the minimum length required for it to pass through...looks like I may have to make a trip myself..

I'd actually recommend using a long Allen key with T-handle. Makes it much easier to grip with one hand whilst undoing the top nut using the pass through socket with your other hand.

[agent47]

I just installed my swift springs thursday and followed the method used by carnoob on youtube. Also, buy a kobalt xtreme access rachet kit (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1) and an allan key set. They were perfect for the strut rod nut and cost me a total of about $30. Simply unbolt all the top nuts and lift the car. It was extremely easy and completely eliminated the need for an impact wrench or spring compressor.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Whatever way you do it, take the best steps possible for safety, I have seen a spring go rouge before and smash through a concrete wall.

[cycleboy]

Is it correct that doing this process with the car on the ground also decreases the chance of twisting the shaft and damaging things internally?

I think that's what I plan to do if I do this myself.

[Tenament05]

Not really, as you still have to hold the shaft with a hex tool while you un-do the bolt. Pick up the kobalt pass through socket set, they're handy and cheap