Spring Compressed?

[jewelproject]

well this is my suspension set up. 2.5'' drop on kyb gr2. just wanted a second opinion on if i have to compress my new lowered springs again to get the strut mount on? i havent taken the old ones off yet. but i have seen a lot of vids on you tube on replacing stock springs, none on lowered. maybe i would need to make one.

[DarkHusk11]

I would think the same deal goes for any spring you have to compress them. Very dangerous btw.

[jewelproject]

I would think the same deal goes for any spring you have to compress them. Very dangerous btw.

just wondering...i figured since my new springs were not as tall as oem i would have enough play to get the strut mount on without compressing it again. really im trying to avoid in buying a spring compressor. but if i have too, i guess i will. or rent one at the local auto parts store.

[XcluziveAZN]

go to local auto part store and rent one.

or

go to local repair shop. They have the machine and it will take them no time to put it in for you

[jewelproject]

well i did a little more vid searching on this. ive seen it done both ways. compressed and not compressed. i think i can get away without compressing my new springs. i say this because the strut rod is extended way over the new springs than it would be on oem springs. but just to be safe i'll rent a compressor.

[deevergote]

You should be able to put the tophat on and press it down far enough to get the nut on the shock piston without a spring compressor. I've assembled a shock/spring combo myself without a compressor.

However, those shocks are a terrible choice for a drop like that. They aren't made for anything more than about a 1" drop, and a spring rate no greater than 15% over stock. They will be dangerous while they are still working, and even more dangerous when they blow (which won't be long.)

[jewelproject]

You should be able to put the tophat on and press it down far enough to get the nut on the shock piston without a spring compressor. I've assembled a shock/spring combo myself without a compressor.

However, those shocks are a terrible choice for a drop like that. They aren't made for anything more than about a 1" drop, and a spring rate no greater than 15% over stock. They will be dangerous while they are still working, and even more dangerous when they blow (which won't be long.)

they have to do for now. my ride bounces like a low rider. but thanx for the advice.

[deevergote]

They're better than blown stock shocks, for sure... but be aware that they are not a very safe option. Look into either getting a softer spring that gives less of a drop, or upgrading to shocks that can handle the drop you want.

[jewelproject]

would adjustable be more efficient?

[deevergote]

Efficient?

The most affordable shock that will withstand an extreme drop would be the Koni Yellow (also called Koni Sport.) Those are indeed adjustable. However, the fact that they are adjustable is independent of their ability to handle those springs. Other adjustables, like KYB AGX, will not be able to take that spring.

What you need to do is find out the spring rate of your lowering springs, as well as how far they'll drop you. Then get a shock that will be compatible. The shock manufacturers can tell you what their parts can handle. We also have a thread in the suspension forum that lists most of the most common ones.

Have you ever played with a paddleball? You know, one of those things with the wooden paddle and the rubber ball attached to it with a rubber string? When you get the rhythm right, you can hit the ball over and over again. Mess up the rhythm, and the ball goes nuts and you lose control. That's the basic concept of how a shock works. If the shock isn't matched to the spring, it's like hitting the ball out of rhythm.

[k20si]

theres a way to do it by using the car. bolt the top hat in. then put the spring shock combo in and use a jack and lift the lca... not the safest way to party but it works.

[SOHC-FTW]

theres a way to do it by using the car. bolt the top hat in. then put the spring shock combo in and use a jack and lift the lca... not the safest way to party but it works.

I did my eibachs this way(Only 1.3 drop F/R) its def not the safest idea known to man.My car wanted to slide an almost got me 2-3 times.I do not recommend this way at all especially if your the only one there an no one else is helping.You could get fubared up pretty quickly.

[deevergote]

When I installed my H&R Sport springs on some new KYB AGX shocks (not a good pairing... that was before I knew any better) I just put the tophat on, pressed it down with all my weight (about 210lbs back then), and my friends secured the nut. Worked fine. I actually did a rear shock myself that way.

Using the right tools is ALWAYS best... but this is a situation that can be done without, at least with lowering springs (stock springs may be too large to compress by hand... I never tried it.) Just make sure that nut is on there securely, or it could shoot you in the face. Nobody wants a nut in the face.

[SOHC-FTW]

When I installed my H&R Sport springs on some new KYB AGX shocks (not a good pairing... that was before I knew any better) I just put the tophat on, pressed it down with all my weight (about 210lbs back then), and my friends secured the nut. Worked fine. I actually did a rear shock myself that way.

Using the right tools is ALWAYS best... but this is a situation that can be done without, at least with lowering springs (stock springs may be too large to compress by hand... I never tried it.) Just make sure that nut is on there securely, or it could shoot you in the face. Nobody wants a nut in the face.

I could do that all day long on the springs that came off of mine an also the rears on the eibachs.But the fronts couldn't be done seeing how they are pretty stiff an only a 1.3in drop makes almost impossible to do with this method.I think the OP if he could put enough ass behind it he could do this method since his are a 2.5in drop.