Where'd all the pics go in these Howto Threads? :(

 

ditto

 

Ditto #3!

-Cody

 

i want pics too.....

 

When I replaced my stock springs with M7 Sport springs Wednesday nite I had no problem removing the driver's side front strut assembly to replace the spring without removing any 'extra' parts. However, the passenger side was a bear. I finally had to compress the spring to get enough of a gap to get the bottom of the strut out of the clamp.

A pair of ratcheting strap (tiedowns) worked extremely well for this task and gave me enough clearance to manuever the strut out of the carrier. Once the shorter springs were installed I had not problems putting both back in place. The straps also made the spring compression to take the tension off of the top plates very easy. A pair of straps in the shortest length you can find is only about 1/2 the price of threaded spring compressors and you don't run into clearance problems. I wish I'd taken pics but I was on a mission to get them done by 11 PM

 

Where do you get these tiedowns?

 

Any tiedowns will work. You can pick them up at Home Depot, Lowes, Pep Boys, etc. They are just normal rachet straps used to hold down ATV's, Boats, etc.

-Cody

 

With spring rates >200lbs/in, the basic tie down straps would be quickly passing their load rating with a couple inches of compression. Anybody ever snapped these? Perhaps the extra $5 a strap for the 1000lb load rating would be worth it... or use more than two to distribute the force.

 

When I saw Randy Webb do a spring install he didn’t use ANY tie downs or spring compressors. All he did was to lean on the springs and remove the nuts. When it was time to install the new springs all he did was to have Brian push down on the spring so he could get the nut started.

I’m not saying this would be the recommended way to do a spring swap but it appeared that there was not much tension on the springs so any good size tie wrap should be more then strong enough to use.

 

'aight. Just trying to think through things... My old motorcycle springs had a ridiculous amount of preload. Doing my first car spring install tomorrow. I've only seen it done with dedicated compressors.

Thanks. :-)

 

For the MINI, once the struts are off the vehicle, springs can be removed without a spring compressor tool. Putting stock springs on is more difficult and it helps to have someone else lean on the top hat while the nut is started; shorter springs are easier still, coilovers are a breeze. Physical capabilities or limitations should be considered before attempting tool-less spring compression; this is not an endorsement.

I tried it one time alone and it convinced me to rent a hook & bolt type spring compressor for the next install; that install encouraged me to purchase a free standing spring compressor, the most convenient way to change springs by far.

A method for retaining spring compression while the driver’s side strut (some find the passenger side harder) is on the vehicle will still be needed, unless you are the fortunate few that don’t require this procedure. Be prepared with either endless loop tie-downs, strong zip-ties, or the stick (post #48).

 

I just rented a spring compression tool from Auto Zone for free. They charged me $40 up front to get it, then gave me a full refund when I returned it the next day.

 

What happened to all the pics in this thread?

 

Bump for pics coming back.

 

So yeah. I don't like tie down straps... not so easy to release without near death experiences... I work alone, so no burly friends. A little bit of compression was all I needed. Thanks all.

Bump for the pics too, even though I know the procedure by heart now.

 

Pictures seem to have been all deleted. Can someone repost them?

 

Not the same how-to, but this one has working photos https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=92737

 

Bring the Pics back, PLEASE. I am going to do this install soon and, from all of the posts, it looks like it is super helpful

 

For anyone interested, a friend in the know asked me to re-upload the photos, I finally found them in the depths of my hard drive so... I hope the pictures help any aspiring DIY'ers from this point on. Sorry for my extended hiatus ;-)

 

Thank you twoturbos1mission! Pictures make things make sense for me. I am way too visual.