front strut and spring length issue

[Paul Weller]

Hi All
I have just bought new struts (Sachs) and springs (Suplex). The struts have significant amount of rebound springing so they sit at about 2/3rd out. This makes spring compression to assemble off the car almost impossible as I don't want to take the springs past their elastic limit.
I have attached a picture to show this.
Has anyone encountered this and how have they got round it? Once before I assembled a unit 'on a car' by lowering it gently and guiding the strut through as the spring compressed before putting the nut on. Anyone tried this on a Z3?
Paul

 

[Antm72]

I had this with lowering springs on Sach Dampers i just compressed them and they where fine when assembled but did wonder how i was getting them back on !!

 

[Paul Weller]

My spring compressor goes on the coils and has to be one in at each end, so with this I would be bottoming out the middle two coils!

 

[FRANKIE]

My spring compressor goes on the coils and has to be one in at each end, so with this I would be bottoming out the middle two coils!

I've never heard of anyone damaging the coil by compressing too much. While in operation on a car, they might have to compress that much in an extreme situation. Had to do it on other cars, perhaps 4 or 5 with various types of spring compressors. However, I can't remember if I ever had to compress them that much but pretty close to it. My biggest fear in doing this would be if the compressor wouldn't be able to keep them from coming off the tool. Could be very dangerous. Perhaps @t-tony will read this and jump in with his good advice...........Frankie

 

[Brian4]

You could ask nicely at your local garage or ATS , Kwikfit if they would fit the springs as they will have the powered spring compressor which fits over the top of the spring and under the spring support cup.

 

[Paul Weller]

That sounds a good backup plan. Unless someone hear has done this combination I think first I shall a tempt to compress it on the car. I hope that making the side I sm changing the high wheel then the body weight will do it to get the nit on the top.

 

[Sean d]

That sounds a good backup plan. Unless someone hear has done this combination I think first I shall a tempt to compress it on the car. I hope that making the side I sm changing the high wheel then the body weight will do it to get the nit on the top.

I really wouldn't mess with spring compressors, I used to use them years ago but hate the bloody things

 

[Paul Weller]

true, and with that much pre-load if one slipped off it a cannon! Hence wanting to try to use the car weight to compress it.

 

[t-tony]

All of the above is good advice Paul. Do NOT take risks with coil springs EVER. I had a spring off a P205 in my face years ago and I don't recommend it ............... it bloody hurt. Better to pay someone to do it that risk injury.
Compressing spring to "coil bound" will not hurt them at all. You will need to place the lower part of a spring clamp under the bottom spring seat (cup), you won't compress the spring enough by clamping the coils alone. (you think these are bad, Mercedes ones are 3x worse).

See @Bringit96 progress thread, Alejandro and I fitted some on his Z3 about a month ago and he videoed some of it to put on his thread.
He comes up to Boston from down London and IF you two could get together to get them here I would happily build these up for you.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

true, and with that much pre-load if one slipped off it a cannon! Hence wanting to try to use the car weight to compress it.

You cannot do it like that, you will either get hurt or damage the car mate.

Tony.

 

[Bringit96]

I'm heading up next weekend to Boston on the Friday 8th/ Sat 9th then back to London on the 11th so let me know, I'm happy to lend a hand

 

[Paul Weller]

I'm heading up next weekend to Boston on the Friday 8th/ Sat 9th then back to London on the 11th so let me know, I'm happy to lend a hand

Thanks for the offer, much appreciated. Unfortunately I leave for Portugal on Thursday and don't really want to leave the car on axle stands while I am away. I'll get back on this thread when I am back and got the old struts off. Paul

 

[t-tony]

Thanks for the offer, much appreciated. Unfortunately I leave for Portugal on Thursday and don't really want to leave the car on axle stands while I am away. I'll get back on this thread when I am back and got the old struts off. Paul

The offer is good at my end any time Paul. Enjoy Portugal.

Tony.

 

[Paul Weller]

The offer is good at my end any time Paul. Enjoy Portugal.

Tony.

Thanks Tony