easy way to switch springs

[nickmp0wer]

I just got some m3 springs for $75 as a cheap upgrade until i get something else and i was wondering if there is a easy way to switch them. The rears seem like i jsut have to unbolt the shock then change the springs but the fronts seem like they will be a lot harder. can i just unbolt the 3 nuts on the strut tower then lower it down, use the spring compressor and undo whatever holds the spring on? im going to be doign the brakes and wheel bearings at the same time if that matters

[KenC]

You need to pull the whole strut housing out of the front

[nickmp0wer]

damnit

[Dave]

do you remove the strut nut on top before or after you remove the strut housing?

[KenC]

do you remove the strut nut on top before or after you remove the strut housing?

You need to remove the whole houseing before that.

[nickmp0wer]

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

[Dave]

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

That is what I was thinking - like this guy says, break that top nut loose before you remove the housing, but don't remove it.

[parkerbink]

Great writeup. Could of used it 6 months ago when I did this.

[KenC]

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

That is what I was thinking - like this guy says, break that top nut loose before you remove the housing, but don't remove it.

I don't understand why he says to do that. It's just as easy to zip it off with an impact gun with the whole assembly out of the car.

He should have mentioned to make sure and replace the grease retaining washer under the strut-mount and the spacer washer between the mount and the spring hat. There are a number of people on here who have forgotten them when doing this job.

[PeaveyBassist]

If you dont have an impact gun... break it loose before you get the strut out of the car. Otherwise that son of a bitch will just sit and spin :)

Will

[KenC]

If you dont have an impact gun... break it loose before you get the strut out of the car. Otherwise that son of a bitch will just sit and spin :)

Will

I've had experience with them still spinning while in the car...

[///M Powered]

^^ Same.

[Mystikal]

Me three.

Had to jam multiple vises on the shaft (was tossing the old Konis, of course the shaft was toast afterwards) and it was still an hour long affair.

[Nick325is]

It is possible to change the strut and springs without removing the strut housing. I did it a couple years ago when I changed my suspension the first time. All I did was remove the sway bar link and the upper strut bearing and compress the spring then pull it out followed by the strut.


Nick

[Digitalwave]

It is possible to change the strut and springs without removing the strut housing. I did it a couple years ago when I changed my suspension the first time. All I did was remove the sway bar link and the upper strut bearing and compress the spring then pull it out followed by the strut.


Nick

It's so much easier to do it off the car, and it only takes removing 2 more nuts to get the whole strut out.