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[x1xv45]

Lost the little curls at the bottom, didnt hear them go!
Anyway, I set out to follow the MarksDTM guide to this, but we ended up doing it without dropping the diff. This picture (came from this site, but can't remember who, so thanks to ?) I marked to show what we did in order:



With car up on axle stands:
1. Bolt off the drop-link (bottom)
2. Disconnect the rod with arrow 2 on it at the top end, out of the picture (what do you call it?)
3. Unbolted shock at the bottom (with jack under to stop wheel from suddenly dropping)

Then lowered the jack carefully to the bottom. The springs then came out easily, and new ones went in with a little push down on the wheel not very much persuasion on the spring.

We tried it on one side without disconnecting 2, but no good and had to jack the wheel back up to get it off.

Just thought I'd share, in case anyone wants to try it.

[Bent valve]

Anybody else think that this is the way to do it? I havent done the rear springs on mine yet but plan to do so in the near future. it certainly sounds an easier method.

[Proz]

Thats more or less exactly how we did mine at work ... just a little squeeze with spring compresors and the new ones went straight in 

[mrgreen]

thanks for the post hopefully weather permitting i'll be doing mine this week! so will let you know if it works

[Omega 37]

Had mine changed a while back. Made the car ride much better, worth doing 
£110 fitted

[plym ian]

me and my mate done mine undone drop link and top of the shock. he stood on hub i put spring in job done. but your way is good if on your own

[x1xv45]

I like the idea of unbolting the shock from the top, and would have done it if the bottom end gave any trouble, but it came out easy.

This quote, from Vxon, may account for the springs going, partly: "spring assisters sit in the middle coils which alter the natural deflection of the spring putting much greater strain on the pig tails top and bottom." Previous owner had them in and did a bit of towing. Any thoughts on this, or is it just normal wear and tear?

[henryd]

I like the idea of unbolting the shock from the top, and would have done it if the bottom end gave any trouble, but it came out easy.

This quote, from Vxon, may account for the springs going, partly: "spring assisters sit in the middle coils which alter the natural deflection of the spring putting much greater strain on the pig tails top and bottom." Previous owner had them in and did a bit of towing. Any thoughts on this, or is it just normal wear and tear?

I would think that quote is right,by binding the middle of the spring with the assistors all the loading has to go somewhere

[ballcock50]

I've done two sets, only ever unbolted the damper and used a lever to slightly open the gap to fit new spring.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Just remember that the guide is written to give advice on how to do it based on the minimum number of special tools whilst not resulting in a long job (about 40-50 mins for a pair on average).

Other methods require ball joint splitters etc which are less liely to be in the avergae tool kit. 

I would add that forcing trailing arms down does not do the bushes a great deal of good. 

[x1xv45]

MarksDTM - no criticism of your guide intended at all. No doubt it's best, but shortcuts are tempting.

"Other methods require ball joint splitters etc which are less liely to be in the avergae tool kit."

Not the way I described here.

"forcing trailing arms down does not do the bushes a great deal of good."

That did occur to me, but only a gentle lean was required, so I hope no damage done - I wouldn't want to stand on it though. I don't think I could balance on it anyway without falling off. Or worse, getting greasy hands on my lovely paintwork.

[Varche]

I like the idea of unbolting the shock from the top, and would have done it if the bottom end gave any trouble, but it came out easy.

This quote, from Vxon, may account for the springs going, partly: "spring assisters sit in the middle coils which alter the natural deflection of the spring putting much greater strain on the pig tails top and bottom." Previous owner had them in and did a bit of towing. Any thoughts on this, or is it just normal wear and tear?

I would think that quote is right,by binding the middle of the spring with the assistors all the loading has to go somewhere

I have just fitted spring assisters to mine through necessity and I have got to say that thought went through my mind too.

[mrgreen]

well i did one side today and it was a pita i undid the shock and the fun began that bugger was stuck fast soaked it bashed it but to no avail i ended up heating it and then after a few good bouts of swearing it finally gave up then came the springs so dropped the drop link and the adhustment bar (don't know it's name ) and the spring was in no position to come out so jacked up the wheel put the compressors on and lowered with a little force downwards i had enough space to get it out then putting the irmschers in i still needed the spring compressors on albeit only a little, so i'm thinking the estates may have a little more travel in the springs than the saloons!anyway this ended up taking the best part of three hours!! for one side i bet i can do the other side in under an hour now!!