Chinese Buffet

I'm going to be buying shocks / coils at once they are already assembled as one unit ready to be put on to the car but I have a question... is it possible to do the installation myself at home? I always thought people took it to shops when they get their springs installed cause they don't have a spring compressor. What if the spring has already been installed on to the shock? Do I just have to basically swap out the stock and in with the new? What are some of the obsticles I might encounter if I do this myself? (eg. worn bushing, where would I find replacements and the cost of them) Any help in thie matter is greatly appreciated.

CB

imported_precision4

so you bought coilovers? you could try to install your self but it is probably easy and faster to get it done at a shop...also more reliable...

BOND007

For this one and only time I would have to agree with precision4

imported_streetXtreme

i want to lower my car too
i have the H&R sport springs and i want to do the project myself
cause i dont' want to waste money paying the shop people to do it
someone please help me

imported_precision4

imported_94EG6HB

Trust me...

Spend the money, get the shop to install them...

You don't wanna srcew up and kill yourself...

Shop will also do it lots faster than you...

imported_SumAzunGuy

dude do you have a spring compressor?
most shops use that and install it properly

imported_streetXtreme

i was planning to rent one.......cuz some guys at the club said they can help me but i just need to get the compressor

imported_SumAzunGuy

well good luck for the install

imported_SW20 MR2

You need the upper mount for the shocks, which you'll need to take off of the stock shock/spring combo. You can take it off and install the springs without a compressor, but be careful taking the mount off.

imported_SumAzunGuy

yup the springs will shoot out
use a wall or something to take em out if you dont use the compressor

Chinese Buffet

Ok this is how it is... I'm getting the shocks but the coilovers are already install onto the shocks so basically its one unit (spring has already been compressed for me) for each of the 4 corners. The shock/coils I will be buying will basically look the same as it would when I remove my stock shock/spring (together as one unit).

Having said that... back to the original question. What kinda of obsticles will I expect to encounter if I decided to install this myself?

The G2 Racer

Trust me man, it's a bitch. I tried to do my springs myself and my hands are cut to ****. Get a shop to do it.

imported_eric

if the stuff u bought is complete....ie shocks, coils,shock mounts thats is already assembled or put together, then u dont need a spring compressor, right guys? all you need to do is swap it. remove the upper shock mounts and lower mounts and its off. just make sure u dont break any bolts or else thats whats gonna take up most of ur time. if the bolts looks rusty and seized make sure to soak em up with liquid wrench or similar products . if those coilovers are on stock shocks make sure it has the bump stops on them coz the second u put the car down, shocks will bottom out and ull be bouncing all over the place after the installation. as for aftermarket shocks, i havent blown any so i cant tell u whats gonna happen without bumpstops on them. learned that the hardway when i did mine couple of months ago. and get someone to help u. i hope that helps.

imported_dented dx

i did mine myself and have had no problems as of yet, its not that hard just time consuming

Legacy73

If your just swapping in the new combo, then it shouldn't be to hard if you don't run into problems. The two rear lower shock bolts often sieze to the bushing making them a pain in the *** to remove. I would try to remove these 2 bolts first, if you get those out the rest should be no problem. If the bolt snaps you need to take it to a shop and have new bushing's installed which cost $70 for parts plus labour.

For this reason I speak from experience, it is worth the money to pay a shop to do it.