Rear Spring installation

[Garageaholic]

Is there some kind of trick to get the rear springs in? I have the subframe in. I'm NOT taking that out after the crap I had to go thru to replace those bushings.. but the trailing arm is hanging down as low as possible and it looks like I'm still going to need to compress the spring on both sides in order to squeeze it thru the stock rubber spring pads.. Is this true? or is there a trick?

[arsevader]

Is there some kind of trick to get the rear springs in? I have the subframe in. I'm NOT taking that out after the crap I had to go thru to replace those bushings.. but the trailing arm is hanging down as low as possible and it looks like I'm still going to need to compress the spring on both sides in order to squeeze it thru the stock rubber spring pads.. Is this true? or is there a trick?

Stock springs? or lowered. Lowered should go in no hassle, stock you may have to compress.

I assume you have dissconnected the shock from the triling arm. Be careful of the CV joints on the half shafts. You don't want to over stress them.

[Garageaholic]

Yeah, they're HR sports, I forgot about that, they're lower already anyway.... yeah i disconnected the shock already..after realizing that i don't think it should be toooo too hard...

I have to re-install my half shafts because i replaced my rear bearings.. That will be a bitch. those splines are TOIGHT!!

[KenC]

Take the rubber pads out. If you have the shock and the sway bar disconnected, they should go in without a problem.

[netcsk]

I got nasty sounds with no rubber pads in my car. Not to mention it rubbed all of the paint off of the springs and induced rusting.

[Garageaholic]

nooo i don't intend to take the pads out. I'm using the pads..besides, the rear will be too low anyway w/o pads.. i dont want my ass draggin'

[KangamangusDriver]

-Crow Bar

Thats what I had to do to squeeze my H&R sports in with the sways and shock disconnected.

[beamR X]

There is no trick and they will simply slide in place, but you have to drop the diff. In order to do that you have to drop the muffler.
Proper procedure is:

Jack the car.
Take wheels off.
Disconect the shocks and sway links.
Lower the muffler.
Lower the diff. (you only need to remove the big bolt (19 mm???), drop the diff enough to slide the diff bushing down the bracket, but so it does not come off the bracket)
Control arms will then have enough drop to simply grab the springs and re and re them.

I know theis sounds like more work but it really isn't. The muffler and diff drop and re mounting took me about 10-15 additional minutes, but it insures that you are not phucking the CVs...

[browntown]

There is no trick and they will simply slide in place, but you have to drop the diff. In order to do that you have to drop the muffler.
Proper procedure is:

Jack the car.
Take wheels off.
Disconect the shocks and sway links.
Lower the muffler.
Lower the diff. (you only need to remove the big bolt (19 mm???), drop the diff enough to slide the diff bushing down the bracket, but so it does not come off the bracket)
Control arms will then have enough drop to simply grab the springs and re and re them.

I know theis sounds like more work but it really isn't. The muffler and diff drop and re mounting took me about 10-15 additional minutes, but it insures that you are not phucking the CVs...

A similar procedure is in the Pelican article here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...ear_Suspen.htm

[IS]

Yes, the only proper way of removing stock springs is to lower the differential a bit. Using a jack and a block of wood makes this very easy.

[PeaveyBassist]

Or just compress the stock springs.....

Will

[Garageaholic]

I compressed the stock springs and they came out. It was actually very easy.

Spring compressors are $12 on ebay.

[PeaveyBassist]

I compressed the stock springs and they came out. It was actually very easy.

Spring compressors are $12 on ebay.

x2

Will

[DEV0 E30]

Or $10-20 at a local auto parts store.

[AdamF 88iS]

What are you guys talking about lowering the diff and compressing springs for the rears? I've done dozens of them and never had to do either. Disconnect the shocks and sway bar on both sides and use a little muscle to pop them in/out.