[s2catzo335]

I have decided to dive into a DIY on my H&R sport springs....Well, a DIY with a buddy of mine who has done this type of work before just not on a BMW...but we are confident with the DIY on this site and a little patience we can do it ...

Looking for anyone who has done this to chime in with any possible tips you might have from your past experiences....plan is to do it tomorrow...but rain will put a damper on that as I can't pull out the Alfa in the garage if it's raining!

Sorry everyone....didn't do the DIY pics but here are the final results!!

Took about 6 or so hours when taking....barley breaks and the occasional "green break" as we love mother nature

[kol]

Need a spring compressor

[s2catzo335]

Originally Posted by kol

Need a spring compressor

Check. I think I have all the tools needed for the job as described by the DIY.
Cheers, looking for any tips on possible trouble areas or things to avoid.

[BDMBimmer]

Originally Posted by s2catzo335

Check. I think I have all the tools needed for the job as described by the DIY.
Cheers, looking for any tips on possible trouble areas or things to avoid.

Take your time. The rears are easy. The fronts if you leave the strut attached at the bottom make sure you don't scratch your paint along the wheel wells when pulling it out.

Canadian Tire will loan you a compressor if you don't have one. I think they want $100 deposit and that's it.

[s2catzo335]

Originally Posted by BDMBimmer

Take your time. The rears are easy. The fronts if you leave the strut attached at the bottom make sure you don't scratch your paint along the wheel wells when pulling it out.

Canadian Tire will loan you a compressor if you don't have one. I think they want $100 deposit and that's it.

Awesome that way I can bring back the $75 compressor I just bought...SWEET!!!

[da1nonly]

Originally Posted by BDMBimmer

Take your time. The rears are easy. The fronts if you leave the strut attached at the bottom make sure you don't scratch your paint along the wheel wells when pulling it out.

Canadian Tire will loan you a compressor if you don't have one. I think they want $100 deposit and that's it.

not scratching the paint on the fronts was the hardest part for me as well. Part-source also does a similar thing for the spring compressors (not sure if they have locations in Edmonton)

[marcvtec]

My tip is Do not do it yourself :P

[catch]

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

the hardest part for me was not scratching my front fender when taking off the front spring.
If youve never done this type of work before I would pay to have it done, or have someone who has done it before help you out.
Also, since youre saving on the install, go for an alignment right away! I waiting WAY too long for my alignment, my specs for toe and camber were so far off it was rediculous!

[s2catzo335]

Originally Posted by catch

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

the hardest part for me was not scratching my front fender when taking off the front spring.
If youve never done this type of work before I would pay to have it done, or have someone who has done it before help you out.
Also, since youre saving on the install, go for an alignment right away! I waiting WAY too long for my alignment, my specs for toe and camber were so far off it was rediculous!

I was thinking about taping something around the wheel well to give it some extra protection but I will make sure to be extra carefull. I will take some pics of the process and post them and let you all know how it went

[DimSum]

just don't %@!$ up. Make sure the spring compressor is good and won't bend in shape when it's under pressure.
Everything else is easy. Careful when taking off the front plate too, it has some pressure when you release it.

[samchoi604]

I heard that you can get a spring compressor from Princess Auto for much cheaper ($50 or less?).. not sure

[IB6UB9ok]

+1 If you've never worked with a spring compressor I suggest you quit while you're behind. Frikin dangerous. My only real useable tip for you...remember to detach all the sensors before you drop the front struts...oh, they're really long too!

Good luck.

Originally Posted by marcvtec

My tip is Do not do it yourself :P

[EdmBimmer]

Depending on where you live and when you plan on doing it I might be able to lend a hand. I dropped my e90 myself and it was pretty easy.

[Jeller]

Couple things from my pss9 install recently:

-if its a coupe, you dont need a spring compressor to remove the strut. Push down with your foot and swing the entire assembly out of the wheel well carefully (2 people would be best here).

Now you have 2 options:
-take the entire strut out and just zip the top nut off with an impact (be careful as the spring has pressure on it)
OR
-use the spring comp. to compress the spring down with the strut still installed on the car and go from there...

Its your call.

Good luck.

[da1nonly]

Originally Posted by IB6UB9ok

+1 If you've never worked with a spring compressor I suggest you quit while you're behind. Frikin dangerous.
Good luck.

not sure what u mean by this, using the spring compressors was the easiest part when i installed my coilovers? PITA yes, but pretty easy part of the whole install

[Shomar 330]

I can help out as well if you need or stop by I just did my E90 last month. First thing I would say go to partsource and rent the spring compressor from them, its a powerbuilt one, do not get the one from Canadian Tire. Both loan it out with returnable deposit. Second thing when bolting the control arm back up, I found it easier to use two jacks, I used my floor jack to jack under the wheel hub (Carefull not to put it to close to the rotor) then using a second jack the one from my wifes car I put that under where the bolt goes to line it up I found that helps a lot makes things easier to line up. Drop me a PM, I can give you my number if you have any questions or get stuck. Take your time, it gets frustrating.

[s2catzo335]

Thanks for all the tips and help offers!!! I'm getting the compressor from Part source for free We have used them in the past so we should be alright there.

[Yvette]

get 12 cans of beer for sure.

[SpmnE9zero]

Originally Posted by catch

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

the hardest part for me was not scratching my front fender when taking off the front spring.
If youve never done this type of work before I would pay to have it done, or have someone who has done it before help you out.
Also, since youre saving on the install, go for an alignment right away! I waiting WAY too long for my alignment, my specs for toe and camber were so far off it was rediculous!

I marked all of my parts with a marker prior to taking them off and when I put it all back together I was able to get my alignment real close to where it was, Havent aligned it yet and tires are all still wearing perfect!

[s2catzo335]

Its all done!!! Went fairly smooth....will post pics later on today

[delio13]

well, it's not too bad as long as you have a basic machinical aptitude....don't go cheap on the spring compressor....it is your body....things are cheap for a reason.......wear eye protection or better yet a faceshield... I replace the springs on a 328i a week ago.....to go lower of course.....anyways goodluck and be safe

rodel

[s2catzo335]

post drop pics up thanks for all the help guys!!!