[toofast]

Does anyone know of a guide for spring installation on the MCS. I purchased a set of H&R springs and was hoping for some info before I pull everything apart.

Torque specs? guidelines etc.

I am very mechanically enclined however I dont like performing work without some sort of referance.

[ficcion]

Check out this link for a how to: Click Here

[toofast]

Thats pretty good! can a moderator add that to FAQ?

[Racer]

toofast

Be warned - be ready to support the disc/drive assembly when you remove the lower strut bolt (or upper depending on the order you do it in) they are 1) Heavy 2) have a tendency to drop and pull out the drive shaft - Result lots of oil on the floor / need to replace shaft - I use a long cable tie and tie them up before removing the bolt - Gives them room to move but not fall out

R

[chiph]

toofast -

If you decide to do it yourself, be *EXTREMELY* careful with the spring compressor tool. You could easily end up with 1) a hole in the side of your house 2) a hole in you 3) or both.

There is tremendous energy stored in car springs, and they must be treated with great respect. I had a compressor slip on me once, and I was lucky not to lose a couple of fingers.

Best bet would be to find a garage in town that is willing to compress, swap out spring, and reassemble for you. They have wall-mounted compressors that are much safer than the home versions (but they don't like doing it any more than anyone else). Just unbolt the struts from the car, and carry them (carefully) to them to do. And don't carry them in a car you care much about, because if they come loose in transit, they'll punch a hole through the car's sheetmetal.

Chip H.

[toofast]

Thanks for the warnings guys!

I have really high quality springs compressors two sets (4) and have swaped springs on an E-30 M3 several times... Im sure I could have figured out the process without the helpful hints however as you have mentioned there ARE serious risks.

This information should be avaliable so that the less mechanically inclinded dont attempt to do this job with a crow bar and duct tape. However H&R or whom ever should supply required suspension Torque values!

I called helix motorsports and they said to use the German Guten Tight method

I will try to get the appropriate values from Mini and post if I have sucess.

Racer how much stiffer is your rear sway bar then stock in the first position (i.e. less radical position) I have been holding off as I have not deciced if I want to go this route... do you get severe rear wheel lift on hairpins?

[Racer]

Quote:

Originally posted by toofast

Racer how much stiffer is your rear sway bar then stock in the first position (i.e. less radical position) I have been holding off as I have not deciced if I want to go this route... do you get severe rear wheel lift on hairpins?

I use stock rear bar which is sufficient - rear wheel lift not really noticeable - Front brace tends to stiffen front and lessen effect

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by toofast
Thats pretty good! can a moderator add that to FAQ?

Sorry for the delay, I was busy visiting Memphis for 24 hours. Anyway, I'll ask the super moderators about it, I'm not sure we want to start a pattern of adding other forums' posts as our FAQs. I'll let everyone know what turns out.

If someone does want to check with the original poster, and then add some warnings and suggestions about spring compressors and make a new organized FAQ that could also work.

[Grinder]

He has a bunch of different how-tos on MCO. He also just recently started posting on MINI2 as well.

[thepilo]

do it your self, I have swapped out a jeeps spring which is taking a 15" spring and compressing it to about half the size, and doing it with little tractor spring compressors, that flies when it comes off, just be careful, and take the proper precautions, and take your time.. I also did a swap out on my friends honda, and needed no compressor what so ever, just let it go when I unbolted it... installed coil overs after, so had no need to recompress.. Good luck!