changing springs

[robert325is]

i ordered some stage 3 IE springs to replace whatever the hell kinda springs i have right now... my question... whats the easiest way to change the springs? like tools needed process, etc. TIA

[thejimlab]

Do you have a Bentley manual? It goes through the process. Pelican parts has tech articles on it too.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech.../tech_main.htm
What kind of springs are you replacing? Stock? I need some lowering springs.
Jim

[robert325is]

yeah.. theyre pretty freakin low.. im not sure exactly what they are as the original owner ordered them and had them installed at the factory.. i'll be pulling them off in the next week or two... ill let you know if i find out what they are...

[KenC]

You probably won't need a spring compressor to get the new springs in if they're short enough. And you don't need one to get the old ones off if you have a friend to help you. Just put the strut in a vice and have one friend hold the spring back, and then you just use an air gun to take the top nut off.

[nando]

you can take the top not off with the struts still in the car too, I'd rather do it that way than risk the spring flying and nailing somebody outside the car.

[Jand3rson]

You probably won't need a spring compressor to get the new springs in if they're short enough. And you don't need one to get the old ones off if you have a friend to help you. Just put the strut in a vice and have one friend hold the spring back, and then you just use an air gun to take the top nut off.

That's what we did when we took the Eibach's off my parts car. We used the spring compressor, but when we took if off, there wasn't even any resistance on the spring, it just fell right out.

[Digitalwave]

you can take the top not off with the struts still in the car too, I'd rather do it that way than risk the spring flying and nailing somebody outside the car.

Even stock springs don't shoot far, I've done it before. Very slim chance of getting hurt by the spring.

All you really need to do the springs are a 17mm, 19mm deep, 13mm sockets, 13mm open end wrench, 7mm(??) allen key, something to support the calipers from hanging, and a BFH or pickle forks to get the strut housing off the tie rods and control arms.