Fitting lowering springs at home

1inchpunch

1inchpunch

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As the title says. I'm thinking about fitting lowering springs and as I've never done it before I was wondering if it's a home job or not. I've got most of the tools needed and am a fairly competent mechanical DIYer but have never done this job before, brakes is probably the closest I've got. I'd just like to save myself the £200 it would cost to have it done somewhere.

Also interested if anyone has a DIY for this. Done a search on here and Google and can't find anything.
 
I've fitted springs / coilovers myself, easy enough if you have spring clamps. Impact driver is handy too.

Only thing you'll need to get after is 4 wheel laser alignment :)

Chris
 
I can sort out a pdf of ELSA removal instructions if you wish mate?

Also as above, Spring compressors are a necessity for removal
 
Cheers for the replies guys. Knew I would need spring compressors but thankfully they are pretty cheap. Another thread from today also mentions some kind of socket that's needed but again it still keeps me well shy of the £200 fitting cost.

Lewis, PDF would be a big help if you've got it.
 
is it dangerious using those spring compressers
 
Mate,£200 for fitting springs????????
Explain please,because that's alot of money:scared2:
 
Was just a ball park figure based on someone that I know that had it done recently. They paid £190 for fitting and alignment on a 335d. Maybe they were charged a special BMW tax :)
 
I didnt have to disconnect half as much as that how to
M8, now i know why garages qoute £200 lol

I dropped my a3 onto h&rs recently, my method was
Remove front wheels
Place car on jacks
Disconnect front droplink from strut
Loosen and remove bottom strut bolt
Insert hub spreader or cold chisel to open hub gap
Turn steering to opposite lock
Put a bit of your weight onto the hub, it will move down
Releasing the strut from the hub
Once the bottom of the struts free, theres 3 small bolts at
The top of the strut, there underneath the windscreen
Cowling, the bolts can be removed without removing
The cowling, once these bolts are out you can do your
Spring change etc, i bought a cheap 12v impact gun for removing
The strut tops, so much easier than trying to remove the
Tops with a spanner and allen key.

The rears are even easier to change, place car up on axle
Stands and simply remove the bottom spring carrier bolt
This allows the spring to be removed without spring compressors
Etc, then do replacement parts in reverse order, i forgot
To mention if you have hids you need to disconnect the
Small linkages front and rear, sorry theres not more detail
M8, im typing this on my iphone, hth

Cal
 
^^ +1

That's the way we do it at work, ELSA takes the long winded approach.
 
That's good info bluequattro, much appreciated. Why did you turn the wheel to opposite lock? Was it for access?

Pinterovski, if SLO is anywhere near Glasgow then i'll save myself some work.
 
Haha! Think the travel expenses might cost more than springs and fitting.
 
it changes the angle of the hub m8, and it gives a bit more clearance ;) hth
 
I'd pay the £200 mate.
Down here alignment can be £80-£90 alone, so that's leaves about £120 for the actual fitting part.
It's good to save money, but for something that plays such a massive part in how your car drives and its safety I'd rather pay the "experts" to do it, rather than trying it myself for the first time using a 'how to guide' off the internet.
 
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