Installing springs

Caper · 04-18-2007, 11:10 PM

I am feeling really stupid and frustrated right now... I am trying to get the top nut off of the assembly to put the sportlines on but I cannot seem to get it off. I know you have to use an allen key in the top, but if you use that in the top then how are you supposed to turn the nuts as well cause you can't get a wrench in there and you can't put a socket and rachet over the allen key... Am I missing something? Is this easier to do when the strut is in the car perhaps?

Thanks for all the help!

Update:

Heres is a diagram of what I am talking about...

jballer187 · 04-18-2007, 11:17 PM

subscribed. Doing this on the weekend myself.

Black_civic_Si · 04-18-2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caper

I am feeling really stupid and frustrated right now... I am trying to get the top nut off of the assembly to put the sportlines on but I cannot seem to get it off. I know you have to use an allen key in the top, but if you use that in the top then how are you supposed to turn the nuts as well cause you can't get a wrench in there and you can't put a socket and rachet over the allen key... Am I missing something? Is this easier to do when the strut is in the car perhaps?

Thanks for all the help!

If you are talking about the back struts, you would have to use a allen key with a hand wrench, not a socket wrench. The best hand wrench is the Sears Craftsman Locking Flex Ratcheting Wrench. Here a link a of the tools http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Caper · 04-19-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black_civic_Si

If you are talking about the back struts, you would have to use a allen key with a hand wrench, not a socket wrench. The best hand wrench is the Sears Craftsman Locking Flex Ratcheting Wrench. Here a link a of the tools http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

The back dosen't have struts... I have already had the whole suspension apart as I have installed coilovers... I am trying to take the the front strut assembly apart, the rest I can do. Just those two nuts on top of the front struts, not too sure. It would be no problem if I could get a wrench in there but no dice.

Caper · 04-19-2007, 09:17 AM

Update with picture about what I am talking about...

bhoy · 04-19-2007, 10:00 AM

use a 6pt. offset box wrench.

Caper · 04-19-2007, 10:09 AM

See like I said... I knew I was missing something!! That's the one thing I don't have... Parts store here I come.

***Mikey6p*** · 04-19-2007, 10:14 AM

Both times I have installed springs....it came out without dealing with the allen key. I just removed the nut with a regular socket.

Caper · 04-19-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey6p

Both times I have installed springs....it came out without dealing with the allen key. I just removed the nut with a regular socket.

Was the strut in or out of the car? Because if you try doing it when it's out of the car the strut rod/mount just turn with it, at least that is what is hapenning to me...

***Mikey6p*** · 04-19-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caper

Was the strut in or out of the car? Because if you try doing it when it's out of the car the strut rod/mount just turn with it, at least that is what is hapenning to me...

Out of the car...perhaps i just got lucky.

audiophile · 04-19-2007, 11:03 AM

You're supposed to back the nut off the strut while it's on the car until the nut is about 1/3 of the way off the bolt.

I actually took a cheap-o cargo strap, pulled up the rubber part that covers the shaft and wrapped the strap around the strut shaft through the spring opening, Twist it pretty goodand tight and hold it real tight with a set of channel-locks. Vise grips would work well too. I only did this b/c I didn't have any offset box wrenches. The nut backed off real easily.

Shadetree FTW!

Black_civic_Si · 04-19-2007, 11:47 PM

a really good investment is a air compressor, that is what i use to install my coil over kit. Also save you alot of time.

slik1017 · 04-20-2007, 12:05 AM

lift up the black rubber thing and that part that spins inside when you turn the bolt, clamp that down. I don't know how to better explain it but thats what i did. ( pic stolen from DIY thread)

***Sirbelch*** · 04-20-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiophile

You're supposed to back the nut off the strut while it's on the car until the nut is about 1/3 of the way off the bolt.

I actually took a cheap-o cargo strap, pulled up the rubber part that covers the shaft and wrapped the strap around the strut shaft through the spring opening, Twist it pretty goodand tight and hold it real tight with a set of channel-locks. Vise grips would work well too. I only did this b/c I didn't have any offset box wrenches. The nut backed off real easily.

Shadetree FTW!

Shadetrees Kick ASS. I've solved many a problems fallowing the shadetree code. Use what you got. Only in this case, i had one offset wrench in the tool box and it just happened to be the right size. Lucky me.

audiophile · 04-20-2007, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slik1017

lift up the black rubber thing and that part that spins inside when you turn the bolt, clamp that down. I don't know how to better explain it but thats what i did. ( pic stolen from DIY thread)

That's what I was going to do, but I figured using the strap wouldn't cause any damage to the shaft. Would using a clamp or vise grips damage the shaft?

slik1017 · 04-20-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiophile

That's what I was going to do, but I figured using the strap wouldn't cause any damage to the shaft. Would using a clamp or vise grips damage the shaft?

I used a vice grip and it didnt cause any damage. Or atleast not that i know of hahah. I couln't figure out any other way

Caper · 04-20-2007, 08:40 AM

Thanks Guys all the help is much appreciated! Last night I went out and bought an offset wrench... still wouldn't fit in there. Anyway I took my coilovers off and put my stock suspension back in for the weekend. I didn't have time to mess around with it last night as I was running out of daylight... finished it in the dark with a trouble light in my driveway. I'll tackle it again on Monday... Those stock coil springs are a #$#$%#@ to get back in (Couldn't get sway bar links off...) thank god for spring compressor.

Yes an air compressor would be awesome but I live 2000km away from where the one I own is and can't justify buying another one.

On the bright side, after a few hours the girl from across the road (pretty hot) came over and was wondering what I was doing all afternoon. Of course she had no idea what I was talking about but she invited me over sometime and said that I was crazy for working on the car all night.

PoLiShPrInCe · 04-20-2007, 09:09 AM

oh man... im doing mine on sun... hope i dont have probs

Caper · 04-20-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoLiShPrInCe

oh man... im doing mine on sun... hope i dont have probs

Which springs did you get?

PoLiShPrInCe · 04-20-2007, 10:14 AM

tein s-techs.... i bought them around christmas... time to install

04-18-2007, 11:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Caper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nova Scotia and Ontario Age: 21 Posts: 920 iTrader: 10 / 100%	Installing Springs... Help I am feeling really stupid and frustrated right now... I am trying to get the top nut off of the assembly to put the sportlines on but I cannot seem to get it off. I know you have to use an allen key in the top, but if you use that in the top then how are you supposed to turn the nuts as well cause you can't get a wrench in there and you can't put a socket and rachet over the allen key... Am I missing something? Is this easier to do when the strut is in the car perhaps? Thanks for all the help! Update: Heres is a diagram of what I am talking about... Last edited by Caper; 04-19-2007 at 09:15 AM.

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04-18-2007, 11:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
jballer187 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: burlington, ontario Posts: 1,121 Jonny iTrader: 3 / 100%	subscribed. Doing this on the weekend myself.

04-19-2007, 09:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Caper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nova Scotia and Ontario Age: 21 Posts: 920 iTrader: 10 / 100%	Update with picture about what I am talking about...

04-19-2007, 10:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Caper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nova Scotia and Ontario Age: 21 Posts: 920 iTrader: 10 / 100%	See like I said... I knew I was missing something!! That's the one thing I don't have... Parts store here I come.

04-19-2007, 11:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
audiophile Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minden, LA Age: 24 Posts: 1,755 Ben iTrader: 1 / 100%	You're supposed to back the nut off the strut while it's on the car until the nut is about 1/3 of the way off the bolt. I actually took a cheap-o cargo strap, pulled up the rubber part that covers the shaft and wrapped the strap around the strut shaft through the spring opening, Twist it pretty goodand tight and hold it real tight with a set of channel-locks. Vise grips would work well too. I only did this b/c I didn't have any offset box wrenches. The nut backed off real easily. Shadetree FTW!

04-19-2007, 11:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Black_civic_Si Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oakland, Bay Area Posts: 958 iTrader: 2 / 100%	a really good investment is a air compressor, that is what i use to install my coil over kit. Also save you alot of time.

04-20-2007, 08:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
Caper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nova Scotia and Ontario Age: 21 Posts: 920 iTrader: 10 / 100%	Thanks Guys all the help is much appreciated! Last night I went out and bought an offset wrench... still wouldn't fit in there. Anyway I took my coilovers off and put my stock suspension back in for the weekend. I didn't have time to mess around with it last night as I was running out of daylight... finished it in the dark with a trouble light in my driveway. I'll tackle it again on Monday... Those stock coil springs are a #$#$%#@ to get back in (Couldn't get sway bar links off...) thank god for spring compressor. Yes an air compressor would be awesome but I live 2000km away from where the one I own is and can't justify buying another one. On the bright side, after a few hours the girl from across the road (pretty hot) came over and was wondering what I was doing all afternoon. Of course she had no idea what I was talking about but she invited me over sometime and said that I was crazy for working on the car all night.

04-20-2007, 09:09 AM	#18 (permalink)
PoLiShPrInCe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: GTA, Canada Age: 26 Posts: 3,142 iTrader: 0 / 0%	oh man... im doing mine on sun... hope i dont have probs

04-20-2007, 10:14 AM	#20 (permalink)
PoLiShPrInCe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: GTA, Canada Age: 26 Posts: 3,142 iTrader: 0 / 0%	tein s-techs.... i bought them around christmas... time to install