I am installing my own suspension set-up. Any Experts in here? **PIC**

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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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I am gonna install a suspension kit(Springs/Struts/shocks) on my Jetta soon. I have the parts here in the basement. I just ordered a torque wrench, and a spring compressor, and a strutnut-tool ( to prevent the whole strut from moving while i loosen the nut on top).

That should be all that i need since i have all the sockets/wrenches/pliers, etc..
Well i have been warned by many people about how hard it is to compress the springs in the front. I tried to use my hands to press them together and it was pretty hard to even move it an inch inward.

So anyone have any tips on compressing the springs? I just bougth a Mcphearson coil spring compressor so thats what i am gonna be using. So any tips or pointers? I have a bently manuel and a few DIY guides people have written for my car.

Do you guys think WD-40 or some other stuff could help ease the spring compression part?

Thanks!

and of course anything else to ease the whole process!;)

Theres a Pic of the car about 10 posts down.. btw
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,127
616
126
You'll be ok with the compressor. Just make sure it's fully engaged onto the spring. You don't want that spring poping off. Besides, you only use the compressor with the spring/shock off of the car, so its not so bad. When I did mine I had the help of a buddy (masterful knowledge of Hondas) and his impact gun:p. Uhm, like I said I don't know how the suspension is set up so I can't offer you much more advice.

All I'll say is, you'll really enjoy the change. I put a set of Tokico Illumina's all the way around with Tokico sport springs and Suspension Techniques sway bars and boy does that car handle. I'm still on stock size 185/70R14's. I can't even imagine what it'll be like with a pair of 17's on there:D:D
 
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KMurphy

Golden Member
May 16, 2000
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Do you guys think WD-40 or some other stuff could help ease the spring compression part?
Click to expand...

Are you serious? Why don't you find someone more mechanically inclined to help out?

You can use the weight of the vehicle and a jack to compress the springs. Wrap a chain or cable between the coils and control arm to help mitigate an accidental launch.
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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You are riding on 14s? Those must be super light steelies :);)

I might be able to get my brother to give me a hand. I thought about a shortcut of compressing the spring...

What if i actually compress the spring on the car while they are still on the car? I could use a jack and position it at the botton of the struct and give a it a few pumps. Then the Springs will compress SLIGHTLY and then i apply the compressor with the spring slightly compressed by the jack? Would that do any harm? It does sound a little dangerous thought. What do you guys think?
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,127
616
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You have a link or something so I can see what the suspension looks like. Then I could offer more advice.

I did say stock tires and the car is a 91:p
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: KMurphy
Do you guys think WD-40 or some other stuff could help ease the spring compression part?
Click to expand...

Are you serious? Why don't you find someone more mechanically inclined to help out?

You can use the weight of the vehicle and a jack to compress the springs. Wrap a chain or cable between the coils and control arm to help mitigate an accidental launch.
Click to expand...

Thats kind of was thinking. using the weight of the vehical and a jack!

I consider myself mechanically inclined. It was just the hard labor part of compressing the spring that i wanna get out of. I was quoted $200 for an install. I don't trust anyone when it comes to fixing my car. I rather do it myself. Even the $tealship is suck when it comes to fixing cars.
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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Heres an DIY guide that i am gonna use, plus my Bently manuel incase i have to get technical.

The brand of the kit is called Weitec. Most of you have probably never heard of it, but its not those cheap ones you get from Ebay. The DIY guide is for installing coilovers, which is not what i have. However, the installation is quite similar so i should be able to do it.

Whats wrong with WD-40? I thought i would lube up the spring compressor a little... but then again it might cause the spring to slip out of the compressor!:Q :Q :Q
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: NutBucket
You have a link or something so I can see what the suspension looks like. Then I could offer more advice.

I did say stock tires and the car is a 91:p
Click to expand...


stock tires and 91 :Q :Q :Q

How many miles u have on that car? You should get it replaced before u end up leaving pieces of tire scraps on the HW
;)
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,127
616
126
Originally posted by: Kwan1
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You have a link or something so I can see what the suspension looks like. Then I could offer more advice.

I did say stock tires and the car is a 91:p
Click to expand...


stock tires and 91 :Q :Q :Q

How many miles u have on that car? You should get it replaced before u end up leaving pieces of tire scraps on the HW
;)
Click to expand...

Well, stock meaning stock size. Its got 132K on it. Next year should land me a new motor:D
 
Imported

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: Kwan1
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You have a link or something so I can see what the suspension looks like. Then I could offer more advice.

I did say stock tires and the car is a 91:p
Click to expand...


stock tires and 91 :Q :Q :Q

How many miles u have on that car? You should get it replaced before u end up leaving pieces of tire scraps on the HW
;)
Click to expand...

Well, stock meaning stock size. Its got 132K on it. Next year should land me a new motor:D
Click to expand...

What kind of car is it?

Damn.. a '91 and it only has 26k more miles than my '98.. :eek:
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,127
616
126
It looks fairly straight foward to me. Uhm, if you can get an impact gun, would make your life alot easier. Most of those bolts won't be a piece of cake to break. Definitely if you can compress the springs on the car that'll be easier since you can use the jack for leverage. Course, there's not always room for that. Uhm, other then that, good luck?
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,127
616
126
Originally posted by: Kwan1
i c, all this is a mass confusion :) so what kind of car is it?
Click to expand...

1991 Honda Accord DX sedan.

Has:
suspension upgrade
stereo
tinted windows
cat-back exhaust with appropriate tip;)

Soon to receive:
200+hp H22A
Turbo
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
2,740
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it would be nice to have an impact gun. I searched around for one with a cheap price. However i have no idea what the componets of a impact gun is. I used one before, but didn't exacly placed alot of attention to it. I don't wanna buy a impact gun and then not have other parts that i need for it to work. Also i was told that they cost a few hundred bucks! I rather spend that few hundred bucks on some protein shakes and grow some mucsles so i can use my godly strength to twist those bolts

:)
 
S

SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,872
2
0
Originally posted by: Kwan1
it would be nice to have an impact gun. I searched around for one with a cheap price. However i have no idea what the componets of a impact gun is. I used one before, but didn't exacly placed alot of attention to it. I don't wanna buy a impact gun and then not have other parts that i need for it to work. Also i was told that they cost a few hundred bucks! I rather spend that few hundred bucks on some protein shakes and grow some mucsles so i can use my godly strength to twist those bolts

:)
Click to expand...

You need the gun, a compressor, and appropriate sockets.. McFly? Close to theWD40 comment
 
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imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
2,740
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Originally posted by: SuperSix
Originally posted by: Kwan1
it would be nice to have an impact gun. I searched around for one with a cheap price. However i have no idea what the componets of a impact gun is. I used one before, but didn't exacly placed alot of attention to it. I don't wanna buy a impact gun and then not have other parts that i need for it to work. Also i was told that they cost a few hundred bucks! I rather spend that few hundred bucks on some protein shakes and grow some mucsles so i can use my godly strength to twist those bolts

:)
Click to expand...

You need the gun, a compressor, and appropriate sockets.. McFly? Close to theWD40 comment
Click to expand...


McFly?
 
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Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
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I have done what your planning on doing. Personally, I would just pay the $200 and not worry about it. If you mess up with the compressor the damn thing can take your head off, had one break on me once and it was not fun. Depending on how the newer Jettas are setup in the frontend you have to mark everything so when you put it back together the alignment stays the same, at least thats what it was like on my older VW.

No offence, but from some of the questions you are asking, you should let someone else do the job.
 
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