Spring compressor...strut or coil??

**audipotential** · 06-09-2008 11:18 AM

For suspension install (OEM Sport suspension), am I looking to rent strut or coil compressors?

**CO AVANT** · 06-09-2008 12:45 PM

The only way to get the rear spring out without unbolting the driveshaft is to compress it with a spring compressor. Even with dropping the suspension all the way down. OEM spring compressors are way too expensive to buy. I have tried to find an oem like one everywhere but have found nothing that works other than a modified POS $26 kit you can buy pretty much find anywhere. Harbor Freight, etc. I had to modify it by grinding down the top 2 hooks so it would get over the upper part of the spring coil so I could compress 3 full coils. I only needed one POS modified one to do a complete coilover install last weekend.

**Groove1797** · 06-09-2008 12:48 PM

^ I still can't believe we got that shit out

**rxrep** · 06-09-2008 12:52 PM

If you can find a clamshell compressor as opposed to those cheap-ass ones that make you put a hook on each side, that is ideal. If you are going from stock suspension though, they aren't as hard to get out. I've seen people "pop" those rears out with a pry bar and dropping rear subframe. Not so easy with sport springs, but I see that's what you're going to, not from, so you may be able to get it done easier.

**akaEsCo01** · 06-09-2008 01:02 PM

You don't need them. I just installed my coilovers on Friday and I used them on one side, but not the other. I adjusted the rear 3 times fairly quickly and with no problems. Capt. Obvious's DIY in the DIY forum or martini's write up on a4mods.com

For the front, sport suspension has a shorter spring than non-sport so there is no need to compress the spring when loosening the top nut.

For the rear, support the drivetrain with a jack, take out the subframe bolts and slowly lower the subframe. The springs will almost literally fall out depending on how low you go, if not then push down on the hub and they will fall out. This way tackles both sides at once, if you are not comfortable with that then take out only the 2 subframe bolts on the side you are working on, lower it, take the springs out (may need to push the hub down) and put it back together, then move to the other side and repeat.

**B6 Dude** · 06-09-2008 01:23 PM

You can rent spring compressors from some Autozones.

**rxrep** · 06-09-2008 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by B6 Dude

You can rent spring compressors from some Autozones.

Yes but they suck. See post above. Don't even need them for non-sports; for sports they'll work but they aren't fun.

**MikTip** · 06-09-2008 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by akaEsCo01

You don't need them....For the rear, support the drivetrain with a jack, take out the subframe bolts and slowly lower the subframe. The springs will almost literally fall out depending on how low you go, if not then push down on the hub and they will fall out. This way tackles both sides at once, if you are not comfortable with that then take out only the 2 subframe bolts on the side you are working on, lower it, take the springs out (may need to push the hub down) and put it back together, then move to the other side and repeat.

Something folks should know, with this method...

By the Factory Repair Manual(AKA Bentley), the rear sub-frame bolts are of "one-time-use" or also known as "stretch-bolts". The manual states to replace them if they have been loosened.

Also you run the risk of altering the rear sub-frame alignment, removing all 4 bolts at the same time.

People have R&R'd the rear springs without removing the subframe bolts.
All it takes is the proper technique and the correct spring compressors-

BTDT!

**audipotential** · 06-09-2008 02:24 PM

????? Guys so do I drop the rear subframe or not???

**rxrep** · 06-09-2008 02:33 PM

Unless you have clamshell compressors like the pic in MikTip's post (some are hydraulic, but priciple is the same), you have no choice but to drop frame, really. Replace the bolts, and I personally wouldn't drop all four at the same time because you then risk the subframe being every-so-slightly out of alignment. If you do one side at a time, then chances are better-er that you didn't loose the exact spot where subframe was in first place.

**audipotential** · 06-09-2008 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by rxrep

Unless you have clamshell compressors like the pic in MikTip's post (some are hydraulic, but priciple is the same), you have no choice but to drop frame, really. Replace the bolts, and I personally wouldn't drop all four at the same time because you then risk the subframe being every-so-slightly out of alignment. If you do one side at a time, then chances are better-er that you didn't loose the exact spot where subframe was in first place.

Yeah I plan to do the back one side at a time.

**CO AVANT** · 06-09-2008 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by MikTip

Something folks should know, with this method...

By the Factory Repair Manual(AKA Bentley), the rear sub-frame bolts are of "one-time-use" or also known as "stretch-bolts". The manual states to replace them if they have been loosened.

Also you run the risk of altering the rear sub-frame alignment, removing all 4 bolts at the same time.

People have R&R'd the rear springs without removing the subframe bolts.
All it takes is the proper technique and the correct spring compressors-

BTDT!

What spring compressor is that and how many coils can you get on it to compress? FYI, there was no way in hell we would have got Groove1797's rear NS springs out last saturday if we didn't have a spring compressor of some sort. We dropped the subframe down as far as it would go but there was no way to get the rears out without compressing the spring. The Stasis SS's we put in after did not need the spring to be compressed to get it in.