ok so here is the ABT rear spring install DIY.
Overall difficulty: 6 out of 10.
Tools needed:

Ratchet with long and short extensions
18mm socket
18mm box wrench
16mm socket
flat-head screwdriver
jackstands
jack (for lifting car but also for holding pressure on spring and to release pressure slowly, ill explain later)
11/16 open ended ratchet and socket
etorx- we ended up using 7/8 SAE that fit on this nut
De-pinning tool (only for cars with EDC)
Hammer (for getting camber bolt back in if necessary)
Step 1: loosen all lugs on both sides, jack up your car, and put a jack stand at each proper point on left and right side (we had all 4 corners jacked up because we did front and rear at same time)
Step 2: Remove wheels and set aside
Step 3: Remove plastic shroud by using flathead screw driver to pop out black plastic fitting, then pulling them out by hand, set plastic piece aside
Step 4: Loosen the lower control arm bolt that is holding the control arm to the spindle (18mm and ratchet and 18mm box end wrench for bolt head and nut respectively)
Step 5: Remove lower bolt for shock (18mm and ratchet and 18mm box end wrench for bolt head and nut respectively) (bolt to the left in below picture)
Step 6a: Put jack under spring location and ensure it is providing pressure, but not too much (just enough to support it)
Step 6b: Mark position of camber bolt now with sharpie, then Remove eccentric (etorx) nut and bolt for the lower control arm to subframe. (we used a 7/8 SAE socket and ratchet at this point because we didnt have the right sized etorx)
Step 7: slowly relieve pressure on spring and lower control arm (didn't grab pic here but i tried to explain it below)
Step 8: Apologies, i didn't capture pics at this point, but you just remove the spring by hand at this point, because the pressure will be released enough where it will just slide out. (you might need to twist and pull it out, but it shouldnt take much force at all)
Step 9: If you want to replace shocks or bump stops, then keep reading, if not, all you need to do is replace with new spring and reverse order above steps and you are DONE!
Step 10: Use ratchet with 16mm socket to remove upper bolts that secure shock upper mount to body of car (another picture i failed to capture, my bad...i can take a pic if someone needs it)
Pause, quick snapshot: these are the only bolts we removed for the entire project of rear (each side)
Step 11: when mount is out with shock, use 11/16 open ended ratchet and socket (or equivalent) along with adjustable crescent wrench to remove top nut from shock mount securing mount to shock.
Step 12: use depinn tool to remove pinn connector of the EDC plug, then remove bump stop by sliding it off and then replacing with supplied bump stop (we skipped this step because our depinning tool wasnt working well and we thought it wasnt really necessary to replace bumpstops anyway)...this was the only real snag of the whole project. If you dont have EDC, i suspect this part would be much easier.
Step 13: replace with new spring. ABT supplied a new bottom and we reuse stock top perch. (back from step 8), ensure to provide enough pressure from Jack after replacing spring so it doesnt fall out. We also decided to set the spring at a lower setting initially, but that is user preference of course.
Step 14: replace bolts in reverse order. Camber bolt might take some hammering to get back in because you need to use jack to line it up and it can get finnicky. Be gentle here so you dont damage threads of the bolt.
you are done! now enjoy the lowered look! ill post some pics of the finished look as soon as i can!
I hope this write-up helps others looking to tackle this project. Big shoutout to @EvilEvo and @Cgoon009 for the help with this, true partners in crime when it comes to modding cars!
Bookmarks