Quote Originally Posted by hondapop View Post
Look mate, I've done this excercise both ways >i.e. undoing the centre bolt (shocky shaft) with the weight of the car on the wheels as you're talking about. And by using a compressor after you've taken them out assembled. Believe me, it's a whole lot easier (never mind the safer) with them out of the car intact, than having an expanded spring, a shocky shaft that is also expanded (because of the gas in the shock), and trying to undo all the other sussy bits you'll have to get out of the way in order to get the assembly out, especially the back ones.

You may be able to hire them, but the hire rate will probably cost almost as much as buying a set of compressors. If you do get some (and I'm assuming this is for the EH Civic), get the ones with the single hooks at each end, the coils on them are too small a diameter for the twin hook type to fit.

There is another factor in this, you need to note (mark) the position of the top hat (upper spring mount) in relation to the shocky if you're re-using the stock ones, because they are left and right at the front and the top hat is at an offset angle in relation to the yoke at the bottom. You also must, when installing the new springs, make sure that the bottom coil is sitting correctly against it's stop in the seat. If they aren't you'll finish up with springs that are curved inwards against the shock body which will put a bending stress on it's shaft.

thnx mate that was lots of help =]