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[Gaffers]

Not having done this earlier  I need to get it done now as the back is sagging a little with the lpg tank in the boot.  I dont want to upset the back as much as possible nor mess about with removing plates and dropping the diff etc.

I have some spring compressors and was wondering if anyone had managed to change the springs using these and not disturbing the big nasty stuff?

[RobG]

Not really enough room for compressors. If you don`t want to drop the diff you can always use a trolley jack and the car jack

[tunnie]

I've replaced my rear springs on the 2.2 with LPG fitted, no issues...

[Gaffers]

Not really enough room for compressors.

Looks like plenty of room in there tbh 

How easy were they to remove/replace with the car jack option?  I guess I could do one side at a time with that technique?

[TheBoy]

Honestly, dropping diff is the easiest way. No chance of compressors working, and suspension lacks the travel to move far enough for jack trick without overstressing some bushes somewhere.

[feeutfo]

No need to touch bush plates. As the guide, it is easy, and safest for you and the car.

[dbug]

Changed rear springs on saloon without dropping diff - used spring compressors - no issues, a bit awkward but went in ok.  HTH

[amba]

I tried the jack method and found it near on impossible to stop the bottom plate of the jack slipping off the curved surface.It also tends to distort the double walled metal part of the wheel arch. IMHO this method is not practical,although I am sure others would dissagree.

Very little room to get spring compressors in and be able to wind bolt to squash them down,so my money is on the dropping the diff as takes very little time and you can remove /replace the springs with total safety.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its a sub one hour job by dropping the diff to do both sides so dead easy.

[Dishevelled Den]

Its a sub one hour job by dropping the diff to do both sides so dead easy.

Yes, I would agree with that although I took slightly longer due to external factors - tea, phone calls and so on.

The guide provides all the information necessary to carry out a straightforward and uncomplicated change.

[tunnie]

Also helps if you soak shock bolts, diff bolts & the brake line pins in WD or PlusGas few days before. 

[Gaffers]

No need to soak them Tunnie, I'm not a useless student/lanky streak of piss 

But, what a pig of a job!  Ok the lack of daylight didn't help but WFT!  Finally dropped the diff expecting it to go all the way down to the exhaust...but no!  It decided to stay just short of making it easy to pop the spring out 

One head/towbar exchange, a gouge in the right wrist and battered hands later I get the diff dropped enough to manhandle the springs out.  They certainly did not just slip out as was implied in the guide 

Was defo not catching on anything, a little pursuasion from the sissor jack eventually got me out of the poo   

Then again, I was probably just being a shit mechanic 

[TheBoy]

Did you remember to take the handbrake off

[Gaffers]

Did you remember to take the handbrake off

Yes fatty, and in neutral on the autobox too.  So ner 

[TheBoy]

Did you remember to take the handbrake off

Yes fatty, and in neutral on the autobox too.  So ner 

I didn't. Twice