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DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: renfield90 on March 23, 2009, 10:00:27 AM

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 23, 2009, 10:00:27 AM

I'm going to try this on my own. Never done any spring install on any car before. I've been reading install guides so it seems fairly simple...anything I should watch out for?

Also, how do you adjust camber/toe in the rear? Never dealt with a swing arm suspension before.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 23, 2009, 10:22:33 AM

Oh, I should add...this is probably a good time to change the tie rod ends if they need to be replaced, correct? How difficult of a job is this?

Title: Installing springs
Post by: txleadfoot on March 23, 2009, 10:40:08 AM

How many miles on the stock suspension?

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 23, 2009, 06:11:46 PM

192k. Steering is a bit sloppy so I know *something* isn't right, I just haven't had time yet to go poking around. Last weekend I was out of town for the San Diego National Tour.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 27, 2009, 11:50:44 PM

Alright I'm done with the rears. Stuck on the fronts...having trouble removing the right strut.

The hangup is the connection to the control arm. On the left side I used a tie rod puller to wedge in there, jacked up the strut with my jack, then used the puller as a lever to push it off. It's not working for the right side though. Worse...on both sides I've ruined the rubber piece acting as a shield for that bushing on the connection, and all the goo has gone out. Needless to say I probably did it wrong...

So what's the correct way to do it? I've searched the internet and can't find much of anything. Or what is it that I'm missing? Extra oomph? I've been pulling and pushing pretty hard on that thing...and it's a little sketchy with the jack putting extra load into the spring.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: RED IS 91 on March 28, 2009, 03:21:05 AM

It's in the "How to section" of the forum................

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 28, 2009, 10:57:44 AM

Quote from: RED IS 91;69054

It's in the "How to section" of the forum................

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-frontsuspension.html

Thanks, but here's what the guide says:

Quote

Remove the control arm from the spindle.

That's all. Nothing more. And this is the step I'm stuck on.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: Boosted E30 on March 29, 2009, 12:21:36 PM

all you do is get a big hammer and go to town on the control arm right where the ball joint is pressed in and it will just pop out. same for the tie rod ends.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: renfield90 on March 29, 2009, 01:24:14 PM

Well I eventually got it. Jacked up the strut as high as my jack would go, wedged the tie rod remover in, then used a hammer on the end of it to make it work as a lever. (I freaking stood on the puller and it didn't move.) O_o

Hammer on the control arm didn't do anything, and I hit that thing pretty hard.

I did use PB Blaster. The ball joint covers are all jacked up. I'll have someone who knows what they're doing replace them after I'm done.



(I'm admittedly not the greatest mechanic, I'm more into driving cars rather than working on them...)

Thanks for the help.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: RED IS 91 on March 29, 2009, 01:34:38 PM

When I replaced mine I used the "pickle fork" (tie rod remover) and hammered on it.It popped right off.
Glad you got it.

Title: Installing springs
Post by: ten2doyle102 on March 29, 2009, 05:53:51 PM

Those can be a real bitch to get out at times.  Once took me nearly 45mins with a ball joint separtor and a hammer to break one loose.

Glad you got it free!  :)