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Sofly
23-11-2005, 01:29 PM
plan on doing a dyi, lowering my ride with king springs.
just wondered what is needed in this process?

EuroAccord13
23-11-2005, 01:33 PM
Extra pair of hands will make your life easier...
Spring compressors..
Jack...
King Springs :D...
Manuals on DIY spring changing....
Spanners......

Sofly
23-11-2005, 01:38 PM
thanks.
where can i get spring compressors from?

EuroAccord13
23-11-2005, 02:14 PM
I'm sure automotive stores have them but try looking around from your friends and see if they have any you can borrow...

BTW, moving this to the Technical Section....

bennjamin
23-11-2005, 03:28 PM
dont forget jackstands !

BTW...i noticed u are in NSW...if in Sydney i can help out and install for you and teach you at the same time :)

VT3C
23-11-2005, 04:06 PM
u dont really need jackstands - u can do a corner at a time.. but it's ALWAYS safer to use jackstands rather tha na jack - especially if you're getting under the car.

also u dont need spring compressors either if you are fitting Lows or superlows to STOCK shocks.. you just unscrew the bolt and 'fire-off' the stock spring.. when it comes time to fit the new lowering spring, it SHOULD be short enought that you dont need to compress it in able to fit the top-hat onto the shock.

we usually put the top of your stock shock assembly against the wall when you un-do the top-hat with an allenkey..

be CAREFULL though cause that spring can fire off pretty fast and hard.

SINISTR
23-11-2005, 04:11 PM
you just unscrew the bolt and 'fire-off' the stock spring...

...be CAREFULL though cause that spring can fire off pretty fast and hard.

:thumbdwn::thumbdwn::thumbdwn::thumbdwn:

Get a set of compressors -- better to be safe than sorry!

na
23-11-2005, 04:27 PM
yeah I agree with VT3C dont really need spring compressor if u are lowering...leave the top hat screwed to the chassis(ie the shock tower) then separate the hat and the shock body, also leave a rags/carpet to dampen the spring when it shoot...just make sure your feet is not underneath that...done that few times...

DjRob
23-11-2005, 04:35 PM
hahaha just wear a helmet incase the springs pop out and fly around the room bouncing on the walls...

SINISTR
23-11-2005, 04:38 PM
I don't get you guys....

all these 'precautions' - using walls, rags/carpet, making sure your feet aren't anywhere near... WHY?

I understand its a homejob - but it costs bugger all to hire these compressors and saves any possible accidents...

na
23-11-2005, 05:42 PM
cost bugger all, true...but do take a lot of time using spring compressor...i do have spring compressor at home...i did use it once...not effective, takes a lot of time to tighten/untighten...unless u happen to have air compressor + impact wrench...if you done it before it's not as dangerous as it sounds...

elim
23-11-2005, 05:50 PM
dude use spring compressors for safety. I'm not sure on how compressed the springs are on your shocks but from recent experience

- I needed to compress my king springs slightly in order to fit the top hat.
- was helping my mate changing springs on his accord, didn't fit the compressors and the top hat went firing out as the springs was about 4" longer taller than the hat (you can imagine how compressed they were).

na
23-11-2005, 06:25 PM
push it down baby...set the spring with the hat on the shocks...and u should be able to screw the top hat...i did it with king low (not even super low) on my ek...but i have no further comment on this...by all means use a spring compressor

Civic Type R
23-11-2005, 06:43 PM
also u dont need spring compressors either if you are fitting Lows or superlows to STOCK shocks.. you just unscrew the bolt and 'fire-off' the stock spring.. when it comes time to fit the new lowering spring, it SHOULD be short enought that you dont need to compress it in able to fit the top-hat onto the shock.be CAREFULL though cause that spring can fire off pretty fast and hard.

Umm Im not trying to start an arguement here but when i changed my springs(and ive done it many times) it was impossible to do without compressors.
Simply put, if tried dismantling the shock without the use of the compressors, I would be searching for my face on the other side of Earth after the top hat had been sent into orbit !

Same applies to installing superlows - I have 2 sets and each change we had to use the compressors. The dent in my mates aluminuim workshop wall proved this :thumbsup:

Sofly
24-11-2005, 01:16 PM
thanks for help guys.
but just wondering has anyone done a dyi guide/article on lowering their ride on ozhonda?

bennjamin
24-11-2005, 01:42 PM
yes - its silly to NOT use spring compressors ! If you are a tightarse pay someone else to do it for you rather than skimp out on the basics and end up with either a stuffed shock , or dented fender from a flying strut top OR a hole in ur shin or worse...

bungsai
24-11-2005, 09:31 PM
take up bens offer and go learn from someone that is confident with changing shocks. Good to see fellow OH members offering support.

And yes, use spring compressors. No need to be so ghetto. Shouldn't play around with suspension if u dont know how, all it takes is one bolt and anything can happen.

mj3610
24-11-2005, 09:38 PM
yes - its silly to NOT use spring compressors ! If you are a tightarse pay someone else to do it for you rather than skimp out on the basics and end up with either a stuffed shock , or dented fender from a flying strut top OR a hole in ur shin or worse...
ouch :( :o :(
i seriously recommend u dont do a DIY with springs i've seen too make fu*kups (not just personal injury but damages to the car as well)

bennjamin
24-11-2005, 09:51 PM
ouch :( :o :(
i seriously recommend u dont do a DIY with springs i've seen too make fu*kups (not just personal injury but damages to the car as well)

yup - especially if you do it for the first time DIY...there is soo much that can go wrong !!! Take care.

KB
24-11-2005, 10:09 PM
I have done a king spring install with no spring compressor.

Take the strut out as a complete set. Then lay it down, facing a wall, unscrew the top nut and then bang it will fire off. Dont be a pussy and get your hands dirty.

bennjamin
24-11-2005, 10:12 PM
I have done a king spring install with no spring compressor.

Take the strut out as a complete set. Then lay it down, facing a wall, unscrew the top nut and then bang it will fire off. Dont be a pussy and get your hands dirty.

:thumbdwn: :rolleyes:

ECU-MAN
24-11-2005, 10:19 PM
dont post information that could cause a noobe to end up with a spring around his neck, like some zimbabwi zoolo woman.

playing with springs is dangerous, and should be delt with serously

SAFTY FIRST