Just wondering, how hard is it to instal springs? Anyone here do it themselves? I'm trying to decide on having a shop do it or do it myself. Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I installed springs and struts myself on my 89 gen2. It was pretty easy although you definitely need a spring compressor. You can rent one from your local auto parts store if you don't already have one. The whole job took me about 4 hrs. If you're gonna put new spings on your car i'd definitely consider putting on new struts as well if you haven't already put new ones on. Also check out the strut mounts as well because i overlooked this step and have a nasty creaking sound in the rear whenever i go over big bumps. A shop will prolly charge you around 160-200 bucks for the job. Hope this helps ya out.
i helped my buddy with his mr2 once. sv is rite, youll need a spring compressor, but one thing you might also want to use is a torque wrench. we did the mr2 with ratchets and crescents... wasnt very fun at all.
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three liters est. 1992
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Originally posted by ryuji16 i helped my buddy with his mr2 once. sv is rite, youll need a spring compressor, but one thing you might also want to use is a torque wrench. we did the mr2 with ratchets and crescents... wasnt very fun at all.
i agree, you need a sping compressor and a torque wrench. one other thing you might want is a second set of hands. having a buddy around is extremely helpful, and you can literally cut the install time in half. i know sean (soundlzrd) and i can complete a full suspension install including the rear swaybar in 2 hrs or less.
its one of those things, if you think you know cars, its an easy install... however if you get halfway into it and all of a sudden encounter a problem (such as a broken/rusted bolt or broken swaybar link), you might be totally stuck for a while.
oh and by the way, doing suspension SUCKS- your hands will be black from dirt and blue from bruises i would say if your shop will do it for 100 or less, do it there- because i can second ryuji in that it is not very fun at all!
I did mine myself. The process is very straightforward if you have even the slightest idea of how the suspension is set up. Spring compressors? Bah! Put an air wrench on the sucker, hit the trigger and watch that spring fly!!! (Kidding, don't do that... please) As for dirty hands... get some gloves. I got a pair of Mechanix gloves for $20 and have been saved from many cuts, scraped knuckles, and of course clean-up time. I was working on a 2.5RS today, installing KYB GR-2's and Eibachs... to remove strut, you had to take the brake line completely off of the brake caliper... worst design ever. I was amazed that a '93 Camry could have a better design than an '01 Scooby.
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If torque actually won races, wouldn't we all be driving diesels?
for that kinda drop and price you're better off with eibach springs. tools you'll need for a camry are as follows, 1/2 inch breaker bar, 1/2 ratchet, (a half inch air wrench is also a plus) metric equivalent of 3/4 inch socket, 22mm sockett, I'm sure i'm missing a few things, but those are the biggies, but air tools and spring compressors are really what'll make the job quicker and easier as well as safer.
i tend to let my air impact wrench decide the correct torque
but i suppose if you do it without air tools you will need a torque wrench... or RENT a spring compressor and ELECTRIC impact gun... those are good too.
Originally posted by Siver_Cartel I did mine myself. The process is very straightforward if you have even the slightest idea of how the suspension is set up. Spring compressors? Bah! Put an air wrench on the sucker, hit the trigger and watch that spring fly!!! (Kidding, don't do that... please) As for dirty hands... get some gloves. I got a pair of Mechanix gloves for $20 and have been saved from many cuts, scraped knuckles, and of course clean-up time. I was working on a 2.5RS today, installing KYB GR-2's and Eibachs... to remove strut, you had to take the brake line completely off of the brake caliper... worst design ever. I was amazed that a '93 Camry could have a better design than an '01 Scooby.
*cough cough* by yourself?.......
yeah that design on the 2.5Rs was a pretty damn bad design...
too bad that place he got the stuff from ripped him off on the struts...
do you know if hes gonna return them and get the actual ones he ordered?
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Kyle
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT ~ 64k miles Eclipse CD5425 deck & 5 1/4" & Kenwood 6x9 speakers
TIP: To get the brake line out of the strut housing without having to disconnect the hose and then go through the trouble of mopping up and bleeding the brakes, put a small notch in the tab that holds the line after you pry out the retaining clip using a hacksaw or somthing. Then, take a pair of vice grips and bend half the tap with a twisting motion enough to free the line. On the new struts, notch the same spot while they're on the ground, then when you put them in, bend the tab back once the line is installed. Replace the clip, and you just saved yourself an hour.
Aparently, you can skip the whole cutting thing by unbolting the tab on Camry's.
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i would say if your shop will do it for 100 or less, do it there- because i can second ryuji in that it is not very fun at all!
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