Installing Eibach Springs *Problem*

[bmxrider154]

I am in the process of installing agx's with prokits. I am trying to get the spring compressed using a loaner tool from auto zone and its just not working. I got the old ones off fine but just cant get the pro kits on. I have compressed the spring 6 different times but cant get the top hat to line up and slide on. Are there any specific locations or ways to compress the spring so everything lines up? Really getting frustrated, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jtmcinder]

Spring compressors should be used in pairs, on opposite sides, such that the free ends remain roughly square (i.e., in parallel with each other). Beyond that, there's not much to it. Are you sure the ProKits are correct for your car? They ought to be easier to get on than it was getting the stocks off.

- Jtoby

 

[bmxrider154]

Spring compressors should be used in pairs, on opposite sides, such that the free ends remain roughly square (i.e., in parallel with each other). Beyond that, there's not much to it. Are you sure the ProKits are correct for your car? They ought to be easier to get on than it was getting the stocks off.

- Jtoby

Yes, I am using two compressors...one on each side. The pro-kits came off a buddies car and I actually disassembled them prior to my install attempt. It has gotten to the the point where I give up and take them to a shop to assemble them for me. This shouldnt be a hard task to complete, I am boggled.

 

[RamenPride]

You shouldn't have to compress the Pro-Kits at all. Are you using the stock shocks? Years ago I put Intrax springs on a friends car. He just wanted it lowered and re-used the stock shocks. The shocks were basically dead and the piston would fall back into the shock, so when we tried to put the spring on it, it looked like we needed to compress the spring first to reassemble it. I grabbed the rod and pulled it out and we were able to drop the spring onto the shock and put everything together.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Are you using the stock shocks?

Taken from original post...

I am in the process of installing agx's with prokits.

As for the spring compressors, if you can't get them to compress the spring enough the way you're doing it, try hooking the bottom end in, then spinning it down the coil, so it's near the bottom, then hook the top one up alittle higher and give it a shot. I remember not being able to compress a spring enough and this way worked for me.

 

[Venum]

I have the pro-kit also, I didn't have to compress the fronts or the rears to get the after market shock assembled on there (Illuminas).

When you say you cannot get the top hat to allign, what do you mean by that? You should be able to turn it until it fits snuggly against the spring all around. When you have all the parts on the shock (bump stop, etc) you don't have any shock sticking up high enough to get the top nuts on?

If you think about it, how much would you say you compressed your stock springs? 1-2 inches maybe, well the prokits are that much shorter, so you're already done (no compression required).
A picture might help us here. Another thing to check is to make sure the bumpstop is all the way down on the shaft of the shock.

 

[daren_p]

Ya I second, a picture would defently help. You should have any issues with the springs not compressing enough, unless of course they are for a different application. Like other have said when I installed my Tokico spings I didn't need a spring compressor.

 

[bmxrider154]

I actually figured it out last night and the fronts are complete and installed on the car. Basicly, I was just trying too hard and that sums it up.

But yes, I did have to compress the springs some to get everything where it needed to be. When taking the stock springs off, I had to compress them quite a bit.

As for the spring compressors, if you can't get them to compress the spring enough the way you're doing it, try hooking the bottom end in, then spinning it down the coil, so it's near the bottom, then hook the top one up alittle higher and give it a shot. I remember not being able to compress a spring enough and this way worked for me.

This is pretty much how I had the compressors setup when finally assembling them.


Actually putting the shock in the vise to hold it was the key I think...haha. I was trying to
fiddle with it on the ground...

I really appreciate all the advice, I was getting mighty pissed.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Actually putting the shock in the vise to hold it was the key I think...haha. I was trying to
fiddle with it on the ground...

I didn't use a vice or anything to hold the shock..

 

[bmxrider154]

I didn't use a vice or anything to hold the shock..

Yeah, that part of my response wasnt pointed towards you. I was just saying that it really helped putting the strut in the vice.