Sport Strut Coil Spring not Straight

ferrari0923 · 05-13-2018, 11:29 AM

I'm replacing my leaking front strut and was planning to just swap the coil spring over to the new strut. But the coil looks like it has been warped and isn't straight anymore. Is this normal? I'm sure it would straighten out after compressing and placing the top hat on, but feel like the coil would be fighting against it's natural compression motion now and fail prematurely.

This on for M-Sport strut and coil, if that makes it any different.

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Barefoot-335is · 05-13-2018, 07:05 PM

It will be fine, definitely need a new lower pad, I would do both upper and lower while your there and check the strut mount too

ferrari0923 · 05-13-2018, 07:10 PM

Yea I got new upper and lower pads and new strut mounts. The problem I'm having is getting the spring to compress enough to get the top hat back on. The spring is bowed too much I think.

I've tried using the standard two rod compressor and just bought a single action compressor from Harbor Freight, still can't get it compressed enough to remotely get the top hat on.

Phyrexia · 05-13-2018, 08:04 PM

I installed my BMW Performance Suspension springs with the tools in the background of your pictures, and they're shorter than your springs. Your springs look totally normal to me. The PS springs did not "sit straight" on the lower mount when they weren't under tension.

Have you pulled the strut arm all the way out? If it was pushed in you might have more trouble.

ferrari0923 · 05-13-2018, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phyrexia

I installed my BMW Performance Suspension springs with the tools in the background of your pictures, and they're shorter than your springs. Your springs look totally normal to me. The PS springs did not "sit straight" on the lower mount when they weren't under tension.

Have you pulled the strut arm all the way out? If it was pushed in you might have more trouble.

These are the sport springs, is that different from Performance Springs you have? The strut is pulled out as far as I can by hand.

I was able to get the spring compressed finally by placing the compressor rods, had to use 3 of them, onto the top hat and spring. Got it compressed enough that I could get the nut started on the hat. Once I got that going I tightened the nut down fully without the strut mount. Now I need compress the rearrange the spring compressors to get it compressed enough to undo the nut and put the mount on.

One thing I noticed is the spacing around the strut piston and spring is not even on all sides. Is that normal? In the picture the spring is closer to the piston on the left than the right.

Barefoot-335is · 05-14-2018, 08:32 AM

This is how I arranged my Spring Compressor....
I borrowed the pic from the 1series guys but I used his DYI to install mine.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1447749

Hint: Just make sure that you stay away from the end of the springs when placing the compressor and place them in positions that won't be caught in the compression of the springs

Sorry, can't get the pic to show up but just use the link and see how he has the spring compressor attached to the strut

ferrari0923 · 05-14-2018, 08:20 PM

Hmm, you guys didn't show up in my searches when I was looking for parts. However, that is much more costly, for me in my situation, compared to the ~$355 I paid to refresh the front struts minus the springs. Plus lifetime warranty from FCP.

I would have liked to have upgraded to the Bilstein B8s but they're backordered everywhere and my left strut had completely failed, riding on just the spring.

I'll keep you in mind for next time.

The Nightman · 05-15-2018, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari0923

I was able to get the spring compressed finally by placing the compressor rods, had to use 3 of them, onto the top hat and spring. Got it compressed enough that I could get the nut started on the hat. Once I got that going I tightened the nut down fully without the strut mount. Now I need compress the rearrange the spring compressors to get it compressed enough to undo the nut and put the mount on.

One thing I noticed is the spacing around the strut piston and spring is not even on all sides. Is that normal? In the picture the spring is closer to the piston on the left than the right.

I installed sport springs on Bilstein B4s recently and used the exact same method to compress the springs. My sport springs were not straight and they don't sit evenly in the strut but I believe that is normal.

ferrari0923 · 05-15-2018, 10:59 PM

I ended up going to Eastwood and buying this bad boy. Worked like a charm! I was able to get it compressed all the way. Much quicker and safer. Thanks for all the help guys!

whyzee125 · 06-04-2018, 11:26 PM

If the struts are already in the car I wouldn't worry about it but your bumpstops are in upside down. Glad you got the spring to compress and good choice on FCP.

ferrari0923 · 06-04-2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

If the struts are already in the car I wouldn't worry about it but your bumpstops are in upside down. Glad you got the spring to compress and good choice on FCP.

Haha yea, I realized that after I took that picture. I corrected it.

05-13-2018, 11:29 AM	#1
ferrari0923 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (0)	Sport Strut Coil Spring not Straight I'm replacing my leaking front strut and was planning to just swap the coil spring over to the new strut. But the coil looks like it has been warped and isn't straight anymore. Is this normal? I'm sure it would straighten out after compressing and placing the top hat on, but feel like the coil would be fighting against it's natural compression motion now and fail prematurely. This on for M-Sport strut and coil, if that makes it any different.
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05-13-2018, 07:05 PM	#2
Barefoot-335is First Lieutenant 64 Rep 307 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Coupe Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Barefoot Beach iTrader: (0)	It will be fine, definitely need a new lower pad, I would do both upper and lower while your there and check the strut mount too
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05-13-2018, 07:10 PM	#3
ferrari0923 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (0)	Yea I got new upper and lower pads and new strut mounts. The problem I'm having is getting the spring to compress enough to get the top hat back on. The spring is bowed too much I think. I've tried using the standard two rod compressor and just bought a single action compressor from Harbor Freight, still can't get it compressed enough to remotely get the top hat on.
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05-13-2018, 08:04 PM	#4
Phyrexia Resident Pedant 509 Rep 792 Posts Drives: '15 335i 8AT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Limbo iTrader: (1)	I installed my BMW Performance Suspension springs with the tools in the background of your pictures, and they're shorter than your springs. Your springs look totally normal to me. The PS springs did not "sit straight" on the lower mount when they weren't under tension. Have you pulled the strut arm all the way out? If it was pushed in you might have more trouble.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

05-14-2018, 08:32 AM	#6
Barefoot-335is First Lieutenant 64 Rep 307 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Coupe Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Barefoot Beach iTrader: (0)	This is how I arranged my Spring Compressor.... I borrowed the pic from the 1series guys but I used his DYI to install mine. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1447749 Hint: Just make sure that you stay away from the end of the springs when placing the compressor and place them in positions that won't be caught in the compression of the springs Sorry, can't get the pic to show up but just use the link and see how he has the spring compressor attached to the strut
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2018, 08:20 PM	#7
ferrari0923 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (0)	Hmm, you guys didn't show up in my searches when I was looking for parts. However, that is much more costly, for me in my situation, compared to the ~$355 I paid to refresh the front struts minus the springs. Plus lifetime warranty from FCP. I would have liked to have upgraded to the Bilstein B8s but they're backordered everywhere and my left strut had completely failed, riding on just the spring. I'll keep you in mind for next time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-15-2018, 10:59 PM	#9
ferrari0923 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (0)	I ended up going to Eastwood and buying this bad boy. Worked like a charm! I was able to get it compressed all the way. Much quicker and safer. Thanks for all the help guys! Attached Images
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06-04-2018, 11:26 PM	#10
whyzee125 Brigadier General 2004 Rep 4,030 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	If the struts are already in the car I wouldn't worry about it but your bumpstops are in upside down. Glad you got the spring to compress and good choice on FCP.
	Appreciate 0 Quote