I'm going to be pulling these H&R springs that came with my car and install the stocks back on. I've replaced several springs on other vehicles but never on a MCS, will I need a spring compressor to safely pull them off the struts or is there enough room for expansion.

Thanks

 

I did it by hand when installing my H&R springs. You can use a spring compressor just to be safe, but placing a foot on the top of the strut as you undo the nut that holds the whole thing together will avoid most potential injury.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility if you hurt yourself and/or car doing this.

 

I don't believe you will be able to compress the stock spring enough by hand.( Maybe with a heavy friend helping). On the lowering springs there is not much force, but on the stock spring there is.

 

Well to answer my own question a spring compressor was needed, I pulled the H&R springs that where on the car and put a set of stock springs back on. It was a pretty straight forward install using airtools and only took about 1.5 hours to complete all 4 corners. Now the H&R springs are on ebay if anyone is interested.

Thanks again for everyones help

 

how much?

 

I dont believe they have been bid on yet since I listed them earlier today

 

If I could do the swap in 1.5hours.... ....it took me more like 4-5 hours
using handtools plus two sore quadracepts.
Good job, Prw3 :smile:

 

Acting as the self appointed safety officer in this thread, it is very dangerous to deal with springs without a suitable spring compressor. If you have done it before without a compressor and know what you're getting into then that's fine.

If you don't, beware that people have been seriously hurt and I'm sure even killed by car springs that got away from them.

Be careful out there.

 

Doc is right on.


Compressed springs are NO JOKE. I can personally attest to this as a result of one of my less-than-shining moments. Luckily, and I mean LUCKILY, I was not injured but would have been under the same circumstances on a different day.

Frankly, it's not worth the risks, and considering that many parts stores will rent them or simply ask for a refundable deposit to use compressors (not like they're expensive anyway), it's a no-brainer.

This is in NO way intended to insult anyone who has done their springs without the use of compressors or a strap wrench. Just a word of caution to spring-replacing newbies!

Marty

 

i have changed many springs on many cars. most need a special tool, but i have never used one with the mini. there is really no room to get one in there and have not been able to find the right tool to fit in there. to this date i have changed out about 6 sets of springs and have never need a tool. but the stock springs may need one as they are stiff. i have never tried to put stock springs back on yet, why are you changing them back to stock?

 

The way you use a spring compressor is to remove the shock/spring combination from the car, then using the compressor, remove the spring from the shock. You don't have to worry about "getting the compressor in there."

I'm not trying to be difficult here, I just want to be sure that those who are not familiar with this operation are safe in doing so.

As MartyR points out, most parts stores will loan spring compressors. They are also concerned about their customers safety.

Have a great day,

 

well i know that. but there is not enought room between the spring and the shock to get it in there.

 

I had to force my generic spring compressor onto the coils and it
was "do-able"... even on the H-sports. There are special spring
compressors with smaller profile coil holders(? not sure of the term)
which will securely hold the coils that are close together.

I too will not do struts without a proper spring compressor unless
it has coilovers and the preload can be significantly lowered.

 

agokart,

I apologize if I insulted you. It never occurred to me that there is a spring compressor that won't fit the springs.

I have a two piece manual set that are basically a bolt on each side with hooks and locks. I also have a stationary foot operated hydraulic unit that really is designed for much larger struts. They both fit the springs. You probably have a set that is intended for much larger springs.

Wish I were closer so I could help,

 

Harbor Freight sells em for cheap. Even Sears has them. This ranks right up there with not crawling under a car without jack stands in my book.

 

I see four at Harbor Freight:

http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyA...5%20PDT%202004

Considering the MINI, which one is probably the best to get?

 

The set I have is very similar to the 3980-3VGA. I have not changed springs on my MINI (yet ) but this looks like your best bet to me.

BTW, if you have access to air tools it really speeds up the process.

 

Heck, for 15 bucks delivered, that's hard to beat! Thanks Traveler for the input.

 

Tony,
your link is broken.

HTTP ERROR: 500 dictionary not loaded or missing name for session

RequestURI=/EasyAsk/harborfreight/results.jsp

 

I guess their website won't let one link directly to a query, which I guess makes sense. Go here and perform a search on "spring compressor" to see the four:

http://www.harborfreight.com/