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Changing Coilover Springs

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Old 04-27-11, 02:32 PM
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Changing Coilover Springs

I want to go to some stiffer springs on my coilovers (currently 6/5 want to go 8/6). They're Tein Flex, and the springs would be the same used for the Super Drifts. My question is, is this an at home DIY job or do I need special tools and such? If not, how do I go about changing them?
Old 04-27-11, 02:41 PM
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At home job. Just borrow a spring compressor from auto zone, or use a c clamp. Compress the spring and pop off the top hat. Then reverse.
Old 04-27-11, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by RXtacy
At home job. Just borrow a spring compressor from auto zone, or use a c clamp. Compress the spring and pop off the top hat. Then reverse.
What goes into removing that hat? Just the one bolt?
Old 04-27-11, 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by K!NCH
What goes into removing that hat? Just the one bolt?
And thinking about it if you can adjust the spring perch you don't even need to compress the spring, just lower the perch to release pressure on the spring.
Old 04-27-11, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RXtacy
And thinking about it if you can adjust the spring perch you don't even need to compress the spring, just lower the perch to release pressure on the spring.
So just loosen the the perch and slide it off then once the new one is on just adjust the perch till it's tight again?
Old 04-27-11, 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by K!NCH
So just loosen the the perch and slide it off then once the new one is on just adjust the perch till it's tight again?
Yup, just torque the top hat and then tighten up the spring perch.
Old 04-27-11, 10:58 PM
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for Teins only:

set the spring preload so it's snug

put a spanner wrench on the tophat (upper spring seat)

hold spanner, unscrew top nut.


Tein's upper tophats lock onto the shaft to prevent it from spinning when you try to take the nut off. sooo no special tools/skills required, other than a Tein spanner. This method is MUCH easier/faster then trying to unscrew all the crap off the bottom.
Old 04-28-11, 12:48 PM
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After replacing, how do you set the spring pre-load? Does it depend on spring stiffness or is it more important to compress them all evenly?
Old 04-28-11, 05:37 PM
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preload has no affect on anything (unless you have a rediculous amount). just snug the spring so it doesnt unseat when you lift the car.
Old 05-03-11, 06:24 PM
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So I ordered the new springs, I believe the lengths are different. So just lower the spring perch to work I'm assuming?
Old 05-03-11, 08:33 PM
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I just did this with my KYB shocks. No need for spring compressor.
Old 05-04-11, 09:07 AM
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You can do the swap at home, but you'll almost certainly need to readjust the heights based on new rates, and maybe get an alignment.
Old 05-04-11, 12:30 PM
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You do not need a spring compressor for this. Just loosen the preload adjuster until there is no tension on the spring.
Old 05-04-11, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Josh18_2k
preload has no affect on anything (unless you have a rediculous amount). just snug the spring so it doesnt unseat when you lift the car.
Prelaod has a great effect, on the cross weights of the car. If the coilovers are not height adjustable the spring preload will also set ride height.

Somtimes a loose spring when the car is in droop is perfectly acceptable.
Old 05-05-11, 12:12 AM
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you really think his car has been corner weighted? lol

and by preload, i mean preload alone. not preload as a result of raising the car
Old 05-05-11, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Josh18_2k
you really think his car has been corner weighted? lol

and by preload, i mean preload alone. not preload as a result of raising the car
Of course he hasn't but my comment was not really pointed at you.. just general info that wasnt stated earlier.
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