DIY: Installation of lowering springs on 07-08 GD3
#43
Great post, Tofuman - everything in the DIY is right on. Took me 2.25 hours straight through (Didn't have the heat issue like you, so I didn't need to stop for breaks). Only thing I would add is for people who are big & tall or phobic of getting caught underneath a car (like me), taking off the rear wheels may save you some time and stress. I think even though it took, what, 5 minutes, to remove the wheels, I more than made up for it with the easier access to remove the perch bolt and the spring itself. Other than that, the detail on this DIY makes it so easy even a non-mechanical guy like me can do it!
#46
Guys, I have a serious problem. I did one front spring easy, but the other one has been a catastrophe so far. The 6mm allen hole has warped and stripped from trying to get the bolt loosened - it even made the bolt expand so that the nut from the strut tower wouldn't fit on it. I had to cut off the portion that expanded so I can at the least put the car back to stock as I don't see any solution for my problem at the moment.
As of now, I have no way of keeping the bolt from spinning while getting the 3/4" nut off the spring. The hole where the 6mm allen went was complete stripped and I had to cut off the majority of it so I can at least put the car back to stock for now.
Anyone know what I can do? Am I screwed?
As of now, I have no way of keeping the bolt from spinning while getting the 3/4" nut off the spring. The hole where the 6mm allen went was complete stripped and I had to cut off the majority of it so I can at least put the car back to stock for now.
Anyone know what I can do? Am I screwed?
#48
Would that work? Won't the bolt just spin around with the nut?
Or will there be enough torque that the nut will be freed from the bolt even if the bolt is able to spin?
I figure if someone mentioned on the 2nd page "it'll be much easier with an impact gun" (which would mean you can't use the 6mm allen to hold the bolt, as the impact wrench socket will go over the whole thing), that others have used just an impact wrench to get this particular nut (the one holding down the spring) off.
If someone can confirm this, I'll be purchasing an impact wrench asap. Should be useful for taking lug nuts off anyways.
Or will there be enough torque that the nut will be freed from the bolt even if the bolt is able to spin?
I figure if someone mentioned on the 2nd page "it'll be much easier with an impact gun" (which would mean you can't use the 6mm allen to hold the bolt, as the impact wrench socket will go over the whole thing), that others have used just an impact wrench to get this particular nut (the one holding down the spring) off.
If someone can confirm this, I'll be purchasing an impact wrench asap. Should be useful for taking lug nuts off anyways.
Last edited by Koi; 02-16-2009 at 12:41 AM.
#49
Okay finished swapping out the springs, despite the problems that cropped up.
My passenger front side is about 1/4" higher than the other. Is this normal right after changing springs?
My passenger front side is about 1/4" higher than the other. Is this normal right after changing springs?
#52
^It shouldn't..probably the nut that goes onto the screw you messed up ended up on a diferent number of threads compared to the other side..that's what I think of..
On another note, since aftermarket springs have diferent sizes, does it matter where we cut the bumpstop at? or doing it where Tofu did it will work for all springs??
#53
Most springs are between 1 to 2 inch drop. The springs I put in are for a 1.5 inch drop. I suppose if you had Eibach Sportlines with a 2 inch drop, you might hack off an extra .25 to .50 inch, but it shouldn't be an issue.
#57
doesn't skunk2s give you a bouncy ride? or just the back because i have skunk2s and haven't installed them yet because im scared that my car might be bouncy after i install them.. so im just saving some money so i can buy T1R dampers. This is a great DIY by the way...
#58
I lowered my car using this DIY and it was a great help. I'd only like to add that when changing the rear springs you should unbolt both the rear shock bolts so the whole rear suspension drops. It was a bitch installing the rear springs one side at a time since I was doing it by myself. So yes, remove both bolts(left and right) and have the whole suspension drop, making the springs go in with no problems at all. Otherwise you risk breaking the rubber seats where the springs mount.