I installed a set of eibach sportline springs in my garage yesterday. It took me 3 hours, and I used NO special tools. I did remove the cowel panel, so that I could loosen the 22mm nut that retains the spring on the front strut. I did not remove the nut completely until the struts were off the car. I compressed the spings by hand enough for a friend to remove the nut, and reversed the procedure with the new spring. For all of you who wanted to know, this is a very easy task.

 

......... how did you compress the spring by hand?
must be all those forearm exercises? :D

 

lol its not that hard lol eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

If you want your head in tact its always best to use a spring compressor. Better to be safe and take your time than to be sorry.

 

want to know the best way to do it get power tools stand on the spring losten the bolt shoot the shock all of 4 inches your head will explode so watch out you know lol there is always a right and red neck way to do it

 

I really should have known better than to have posted onj this topic. That's what I get for trying to HELP those who don't have access to power tools, or a spring compressor. I wasn't suggesting that compressing the springs was the BEST, way to do it, I was simply stating that it CAN be done that way.
The springs CAN be compressed very easily by placing your hands on the top of the strut mount and pressing down with the strut off the car. Once the spring is compressed about an inch, the nut can then be removed by hand. You can then reverse this procedure for the installation of the spring.
I removed the struts with the intention of taking them to a mechanic to have the springs swaped. Once I noticed how little tention the springs had on them, I decided to swap them myself.

I do not appreciate being called a redneck!

 

hey z rex i wasnt calling you a red neck i refuse to use a spring compressor to i like to live on the dark side lol

 

I've been swapping springs for years without a compressor.

In removing the nut, I "aim" the strut across the floor. It only slides 6 or 8 feet. In putting the nut back on, I balance the strut on end, spring up, put the spare tire centered on top, and sit on it. The weight is enough to compress the spring and the center hole of the spare tire provides access to the strut threaded shaft. Works great but it does require a little coordination.

 

heres a safe way and very easy without a compressor if you have two peple this is so easy

1. jack up the front side u want to remove
2. place a floor jack under the suspension and jack it up a lil
3. remove center bolt of the strut shaft, do not remove the three strut mount nuts
4. slowly let the jack under suspension arm down, uncompressing the spring.
5. remove strut assembly
6. remove old spring
7. cut bump stop in half, toss bottom half in trash
8. reassemble strut except for compressing spring and top strut mount plate
9. bolt bottom of strut in
10. while holding spring as it should go in, have a buddy slowly jack suspension arm up into strut mount plate where you can tight center bolt again.

replace tire and your done.

this way allows you to use a floor jack as your spring compressor

 

please use a set of spring compressors. if you do it this way, you risk the chance of something not being lined up correctly.
most auto parts stores will loan you spring compressors for free.

 

How does it ride now vs. stock?