putting h&r springs in the front

[Schniddy]

ok I have both struts housings out.
Took the old stuff off (spring/strut)
put the new strut in and then put in the spring

When I put the hardware back on the top the spring still has about 2 inches of play left

I can get pictures if needed, I'm really stumped on this one.
I tried tightening the strut coller down more. I doubt it has anything to do with the top nut not being tightened all the way since there is 2 inches of play.

ideas/comments?

thanks
Jon

[EtaSport]

You have to watch when you lower the car back down. Go ahead and put the housings back in the car. Line the springs up as best you can with the hat and then watch as you lower it to make sure it seats in the spring hat like it is supposed to.

[Digitalwave]

It's normal. Welcome to the world of lowering springs. My springs have like 5-6" of space between the top hat.

[Schniddy]

Fuck, I was under the impression it should fit snug. I would have had the car back on the ground weeks ago when I had the time.

Time to put it back together this weekend.

Thanks guys!

[Schniddy]

one thing that still has me puzzled.



Those are IE springs which are even shorter than H&R, how are those things fitting snug and mine are't? :?

[Digitalwave]

Static spring length doesn't have much to do with ride height.

[Schniddy]

Static spring length doesn't have much to do with ride height.

So a longer spring could make a car sit lower than a shorter one. Basically it’s the spring rates that change the ride height? ehh
Interesting
Thanks

[Digitalwave]

A a longer spring can indeed be lower than a shorter one, but its exactly just the spring rate that determines the height. IE's are a lot stiffer than H&R Sports.

[Schniddy]

Alright I got the new THR cab's installed and I was planning on getting in both strut towers today.

This is hard as hell with almost no assistance ( grandpa can't do that much). I have the top bushing lined up properly, it only fits its in one angle so thats covered but I cant for the hell of me get all three stubs to fit through at the same time.

The damn strut is so freakin heavy to lift for more than a minute or two at a time. I tried putting 2 salt bags under the strut so i dont have to lift it as far, that helped but it made it harder to tilt the strut at angles to get the stubs to fit.

Any sugestions or tips, or should i just get a friend to help

[Digitalwave]

I don't know, I am not strong by any means but I don't have any trouble lining the 3 bolts up and holding the strut up under the car by myself when I work on my suspension.

[Schniddy]

I don't know, I am not strong by any means but I don't have any trouble lining the 3 bolts up and holding the strut up under the car by myself when I work on my suspension.

ya something isnt right. I can get 2 bolts to go through, the third one is off by a few mm. every time I try.

The top bushing is soppost to turn independently from the rest of the tower correct?

[nando]

turn the strut mount around until it fits.. you can only put it in one way.

[screamingbmwe30]

if you dont take them out straight they bend. just get it back to where its a few mm off and bend the fucker back straight. if you pull it out and look at it from the top you will see what i mean

[Schniddy]

turn the strut mount around until it fits.. you can only put it in one way.

Its deffinetly turned the right way. If it was in the wrong way one or more of the stubs will be wayyy off. Its only off a few mm

if you dont take them out straight they bend. just get it back to where its a few mm off and bend the fucker back straight. if you pull it out and look at it from the top you will see what i mean

This is the problem. I just hope i dont strip anything in the process

Thanks!!!

[Digitalwave]

The top bushing is soppost to turn independently from the rest of the tower correct?

Yes, and it should spin VERY freely and lightly.