Replacing Springs with DIY Tools

[cammmy]

Hi All

I've seen a lot of discussion about rear springs but nothing on whether it's DIY-able with normal spring compressors. The workshop manual states that VAS6274 is required but I don't fancy spending over £800 to get my hands on a set. Can it be done with readily available tools?

I've ordered the KW spring set. The remaning standard ones are available for the cost of shipping if anyone wants them. The O/S rear spring was replaced in 2017.

Ta

[welwynnick]

Presumably you have to remove the strut. If thats the case it would probably be possible to use generic compressors. Do be careful though.

Nick

[cammmy]

In the rear, the strut and spring are separate. It also seems there is some kind of locking plate the holds the bottom of the spring.

[welwynnick]

In on holiday now but I remember the slightly unusual configuration now. Doesn't the spring sit on the wheel carrier rather than the arm? If that's the case the suspension arms should help to keep the spring stable, and you can disconnect one end of the damper while supporting the wheel carrier with a trolley jack. I did a similar job on my VW recently, and replacing springs was never easier. Watch out for the brake pipe, park brake, speed sensor cable etc though.

Have you done anything like this before? Replacing road springs is potentially very dangerous indeed.

[Jim Haseltine]

The spring sits in the axle guide - most people will call it a wishbone. You can't remove the guide with the spring in place as the forward mounting comes out upwards and backwards. It might be possible to compress the spring a bit by jacking the guide so the hub carrier bolt can be removed then carefully lowering the jack but I doubt that would be enough to free the spring. Refitting the guide would be a nightmare and dangerous too. I'm up for attempting all sorts of jobs with alternatives to the special tools - I'll shortly be removing my engine for the third time - but I wouldn't try messing with those springs without some sort of compressor. Triumph Spitfires used a compressor with a centre bolt similar to the VAS tool but I'm pretty certain that it won't fit.

[cammmy]

Ta, I've got plenty of experience replacing struts/springs. I just haven't done one on the RS before. I have two different types of compressor, I just wanted to check with someone who has done the job that it can be done with normal tools. Access looks pretty tight in there and there's nothing more frustrating than getting halfway into a job and realising you don't have the tools for it X-D.

I guess I'll just have to give it a try and see.

[ATinOf]

Yes its doable with bog standard spring compressors (pair of threaded rods with hooks both ends), as long as you can get them physically in situ; I did one side without dropping the rear mount on the bottom wishbone; the other side I had to drop the rear mount of the wishbone just to give me that bit more height to work with. As Jim states you cant simply drop the front mount of the bottom wishbone to lower it entirely. Got some pics I can throw up if you need them. You will need slim comprressors like mine; I havent got a centre compressor so cant comment on if you would get that in

There is no way you will get the new springs in without compressing them.

[ATinOf]

Worth adding there are oval slotted holes in the bottom wishbone; if you line up your spring compressors to those slots you can get a socket on them to compress them easier

[ATinOf]

Bear with me I'm trying to attach the images .......

[Stiggles]

Bear with me I'm trying to attach the images .......

I believe this is what you're trying to show?

[cammmy]

Nice one, thanks all. I have the normal compressor type as well as these:

Hopefully getting them in will be easier as the new ones are adjustable, so I'll set them to full slam and wind them up after.

[Phuketpaul]

Nice one, thanks all. I have the normal compressor type as well as these:

Compressors.jpg

I had one of these sets, threads got stripped second time I used it, not impressed

[cammmy]

Ah, I have a set of normal style as well should these prove to be crap. They worked fine on the Esprit but I imagine the springs on that are a lot lower rate than the RS.

[Phuketpaul]

Ah, I have a set of normal style as well should these prove to be crap. They worked fine on the Esprit but I imagine the springs on that are a lot lower rate than the RS.

I stripped it compressing the Springs on the Aston DB9

[cammmy]

Okay, so the answer to this is no. You won't be able to get regular style spring compressors in there well enough to fully compress the springs.