[chadm]

I will be installing Neuspeed Sport springs and Tokico Illumina Adj. Struts this week and was wondering it a spring compressor is required since I am installing springs and struts at the same time. Thanks!

 

[jdmikey]

If there is an Auto Zone parts house where you live, they can loan you a spring compressor. Deposit only.

 

[chadm]

Thats what i figured....do i actually need one though to complete the install the correct way?

 

[ChopstiX]

Whoa I didnt know AutoZone loans them out.. Thats sweetness now I can do this stuff myself!

 

[jdmikey]

Whoa I didnt know AutoZone loans them out.. Thats sweetness now I can do this stuff myself!

Yup..I work there and we loan out all kinds of crap. jaw pullers, slide hammers, vacum pumps, spring compressors, a/c tools, steering wheel pullers....etc.

 

[JJSurfer]

If you don't need to use any stock brackets or other things that are on the stock spring/strut assembly, then i don't see why you would need a compressor.

 

[skrewloose37]

Yes you still need a compressor. You have to compress the springs to remove/install the strut mounts (some call them bearing plates). It will be nearly impossible to do not to mention very dangerous. Struts tend to be shot like missiles with that much pressure behind them. Do yourself a favor and get one.

 

[Patsintegra16]

Me and a friend just installed my springs and you definitely need a spring compressor. I did what gtlord said and borrowed one from autozone. I believe it was a $43 deposit.

 

[skrewloose37]

Oh ya, make sure it is an "outside of the spring" style. The inside ones will not work.

Good luck.

 

[Louse76]

ok, i just the other week installed that exact combo...

there's only one part you need the spring compressor for: compressing the front springs to take them off. there's no need to compress the rear, there's not enough tension, and when you put on the springs/shocks, you just need someone to push down a little on them for you...

and like someone said, its free at autozone, only a fully refundable $40 deposit.

 

[chadm]

Ok, since you guys said I would need one, I went to Schucks and grabbed one, $60 deposit. I have tokico adj. struts and neuspeed sport springs. My helm manual will be here tomorrow. Any last words of advice or tips? Thanks again!

 

[Louse76]

good luck dude... so you're doing it with the helms by yourself? ever done this before?

there were parts where you would really need two people. i'm sure it could be done without, but i'd recommend at least a friend who can pull down the hub to get the strut off etc... I weigh 230 and I had to put all my weight on it and then some to help out chris when he was installing mine...

 

[chadm]

A friend will be with me most of the time, so that should help out. I have never done any suspension related work, but have replaced clutches, done valve lash adjustments, etc. Was there anything that really had you 'stumped' like i have heard about cutting the bumpstops and stuff like that. Thanks!

 

[silvertegGS]

if the bumpstops need to be cut there will be a guide with your springs. and hte "outside the spring" compressors mentioned are called macpherson strut springs compressors.

 

[chadm]

Thats the spring compressor i got! Thx!

 

[chadm]

I just read through my neuspeed sport spring documentation and didnt notice anything about cutting bumpstops. So i can just leave them as they are? Thanks!

 

[chadm]

bump

 

[silvertegGS]

those are the springs i installed for patsintegra16. That seemed kind of odd to me but yeah, there wasn't anything about trimming the bump stops. Maybe the springs are still high enough that you don't have to worry about it? What you can do is put a twist tie or zip tie around the rod coming out of the shock (sorry, don't know the terms here). Install your springs and drive around a bit. Go back... take off the spring that you had the zip tie put on and see if it was ever pushed up touching the bump stop. If the zip tie is touching the bump stop, then yeah, you should probably trim them a little, but i'd go gradually... one section at a time and test it each time. This may be a little tedious but if it'll improve the use of your springs then i'd say its worth it. If you try it out lemme know what happens.

 

[silvertegGS]

just a side note... when doing the zip or twist tie... be sure its tight enough so that when it does get pushed up the rod it will stay there and not slide back down... obviously you wanna see how far it got pushed up.

 

[chadm]

Ok, I can do that...do i have to go through the install again though? Or can I trim the bumpstop without removing the sprint/strut? Thanks!