Help with fitting springs

[McBandy]

Afternoon all,

Any southern members up for helping me fit some springs to my omega? I bought them back in January time from Minifreek and as yet been unable to coerce anyone into helping me, it's now run out of MoT and with a broken spring needs sorting ASAP.
Am able to pay in beer tokens and have most tools required.

Help!!

[robson]

not a job to be fooled with get the garage to fit them prior to the MOT.

[McBandy]

Nah I'm semi competent, done a head gasket before on a different car just springs scare me because they can kill you!

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Doing the rears isn't really risky or hazardous. Fronts can be though, without the proper tools and a good dose of common sense. 

[McBandy]

No-one fancy making a few quid easily? I know it's not too long a job and would certainly appreciate some help if there's anyone up for it?

[Shackeng]

I changed all four of mine on the TD Estate within the last year or so without any great difficulty, and I'm 80.

[neil74]

Exactly with some decent spring compressors and some common sense its all very easy to do.

[Nick W]

No-one fancy making a few quid easily? I know it's not too long a job and would certainly appreciate some help if there's anyone up for it?

I'd happily do it(I did 3 front suspension rebuilds last year), but it's not the sort of job that justifies the necessary travel.


Another thing to consider, is that if your car hasn't had new top mounts/bearings/shocks/wishbones in the last 30k miles you ought to budget for them at the same time.

[ajsphead]

Problem with just changing the springs is that you'll need a full geometric setup to put the struts back in the right place (assuming front not rear - if rear then ignore everything I'm writing). Then it'll be right on worn out bushes and dampers which will need sorting and then the whole setup doing again. Understand the need to phase more expensive work but don't think you can just change the springs then drive away.

[The Red Baron]

I changed all four of mine on the TD Estate within the last year or so without any great difficulty, and I'm 80.

Jeez Chris. 

[McBandy]

Another thing to consider, is that if your car hasn't had new top mounts/bearings/shocks/wishbones in the last 30k miles you ought to budget for them at the same time.

'Should' be okay on that as it's only done 61k, I think I just drive it harder than what it's used to. Thank you for the 'offer' but the fact it's not worth travelling is making me happier to give it a go myself.

As for geometry I have a contact at the local Protyre depot and also still know some of the guys @ Micheldever 

[Doctor Gollum]

Being a 2.5 it is at least 17 years old. The whole lot will be due. Given the cost of proper geometry setting, you would be well advised to change everything. If it were roadworthy I would have offered, but it isn't...

Shop carefully and a complete suspension overhaul can be diy ed for around £600. It's around seven hours work on the drive, but again due to age it will be a swine of a job most likely everything will be seized up.

[terry paget]

If you have been driving around with a broken spring since January it doesn't sound like you are seeking perfection, just an MOT pass. I imagine it is a rear spring; if so it's a straightforward job. Don't jack up the differential, it may damage the mountings.

[Shackeng]

No-one fancy making a few quid easily? I know it's not too long a job and would certainly appreciate some help if there's anyone up for it?

I'd happily do it(I did 3 front suspension rebuilds last year), but it's not the sort of job that justifies the necessary travel.


Another thing to consider, is that if your car hasn't had new top mounts/bearings/shocks/wishbones in the last 30k miles you ought to budget for them at the same time.

I concur, my WB's were in good shape and I renewed the top stuff.

[McBandy]

If you have been driving around with a broken spring since January it doesn't sound like you are seeking perfection, just an MOT pass. I imagine it is a rear spring; if so it's a straightforward job. Don't jack up the differential, it may damage the mountings.

Nah it's a front one, the car cost me less than 600 so your right, I'm not looking for perfection, just something fun that will do for now but riding the pushbike to work in this weather is exhausting! Nah I'd always try and use recommended jacking points or anywhere that's not suspended and solid.