[TonyB]

Looking to get the H-Sports, and I've heard that it is possible to do without the spring compressor/tensioner tool. It has never been shared with me how this could be done though...

Anyone know, or have any ideas?

Thanks guys!

[TonyB]

Max, using simply one's strength (bare hands), with no tool of some sort might be impossible, and probably dangerous. There is a way to use "something" creative to get this done. I spoke with Randy a few weeks back and he said that if he had time, he would try to update his How To, but I guess did not have time...

[Wobert]

To do a job like this without a spring compressor is taking your own life in your hands. A spring under load has a tremendous amount of knietic energy. Once released, who knows where it will go!

Take care....and use the right tools!.

PS I'm an engineer....

[TonyB]

Thanks Wobert and Max. I guess I will need to pursue this with Randy again to see what trick or method could be used to do this - SAFELY

I was sort of hoping others had done this, but apparently not. And probably for good reason. Is it possible to rent this tool? I'll be renting the pulley removal tool (so it appears), so maybe that would be an option as well...

[TonyB]

I was just reading Wobert's reply again. Wouldn't it be potential engergy? That is: A spring under load has a tremendous amount of potential (not knietic) energy. At least that is what I remember from physics many moons ago. Gosh, I also remember Hook's Law, which also has to do with springs, but I think pulling them, not compressing them. Maybe not...

Max, good point, I know. The reduced pulley does need to go on straight and to stay on. But, that is not an issue or problematic as it might be for the springs. Understood. I haven't even puchased springs yet, so don't worry - nothing foolish, yet Seriously, I might just pay someone, but I would rather do it myself, if possible/feasible...

Thanks guys. A good weekend to you!

[cristo]

Step 1 - Buy copious amounts of health insurance
Step 2 - Lose inhibitions about bodily injury
Step 3 - Take off that top nut without somewhat
explosive adverse event suddenly happening
Step 4 - If you're still here, push that perch down
far enough to thread the nut on the new spring (as if)
(note, some lowered progressive springs have a low
enough preload to actually do this, some don't)

or

Step 1 - Get a spring compressor (they're not THAT
expensive) and do it safely and much more easily

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by TonyB
Gosh, I also remember Hook's Law, which also has to do with springs, but I think pulling them, not compressing them. Maybe not...

As a resident moderator/engineer. I'll chime in. Its Hooke's law, (F=kx). It does relate to springs in compression as well as tension, however, the constant k, is not always as simple as a number. Progressive springs for instance vary the force required to compress them. (So K would either be several linear values, or a differential equation)

So the basic rule, is however much you squish the spring to install/remove it, all that force can come back in an instant if you let it.

[suprchrgdmini]

tony,

ive seen the springs been done with no tools just brute strength. it is not that hard.

[TonyB]

I must admit that I'm getting more amusement out of this thread than I anticipated! That wasn't the aim, but what the heck.

Thanks stryder for the clarification on Hooke's Law. I knew it was relvant, just forget exactly how. I geuss that is why I pursued law, and relegated science to a minor. I was right on with the potential/kinetic energy scenario though

suprchrdmini, I don't know if you are serious or not, but if so, you seem to be alone! But then again, it was Randy who told me that he was going to modify the How To, without this special tool. I'm simply inquring if anyone might know how to go about it. I sort of have a feeling that Randy found a way to utilize some more standard tools to effectively get the job done...

Guys, no death wish here. I do a fair amount of mountaineering, and the thought of this, at my current knowledge level scares me more. Thus my desire to seek some input...

Keep it coming guys!

[minhi]

TonyB,

FWIW, there is a local guy here that installs springs by hand all the time, granted his arms are huge, and he's had a lot of practice. i guess some people like to live dangerously.

[TonyB]

I am not a big guy, and I have zero experience on such stuff. However, I'm curious still nonetheless.

Funny, I did some arm-wrestling a couple years ago and I just heard from a guy yesterday who I met some time ago asking if I wanted to train with him for an upcoming competiton. Probably not the same kind of muscles though as compressing springs

Um, with 2nd place money I can buy the H-Sports

I passed... Thanks.

[bluemcs]

Oh pleeeeease! I did the H-Sport springs and while they were being shipped I bought a really nice (read: USA made)spring compressor on EBay for $20. I found that you could do without it but the compressor makes it easier. The compressor is only really necessary for disassembly. You could use a couple of lock wrenches or a couple of channel locks (better if you have a friend or 3 hands). You can use a jack for reassembly.

If you do buy a spring compressor be sure to buy a small one as there is not a lot of room for an old style set. A smaller set made for struts should do it.

There is not that much tension there but the spring compressor make it easier to get the alignment right.

No Gorilla arms needed, but then that may be why they call it a Mini?

[TonyB]

Thanks for the scoop bluemcs. EBay! I'll start looking for a small one. Hey, if I ever get more serious with my driving pursuits and desire coilovers, can this tool also be used for an install? Thank you again.

[bluemcs]

I think that you'll find that the coilovers will come assembled, although I may be wrong. The springs on coilovers are of a smaller diameter than stock or h-sport so depending on the size of the compressor you may or may not have clearance.

Quite frankly, I was gung-ho on the coilovers till I did the rear bar and the H-Sports. I thought I needed to have the car lower as I went to 16" wheels. WRONG! It's perfect for a street car. Any lower and I would be dropping the front dam in the potholes. I will do the shocks as soon I see whether the Bilsteins or the Konis win. For less than a grand it will be perfect for the street.

[CSDan]

Hey Tony,
I infact did the spring install today, in the rain--My friend and I are a little nuts, BUT I WANTED THEM IN!!! . The fronts, were a bit of a pain, but a spring compressor helped a bunch, made the install less stressful. Plus using a vice helped to. The rears weren't a promblem. We didn't need the compressor forr them, not a lot of energy(what did we decide, potential, or Kenetic ) It took us less time to do the rears then one front
I cant say wether I like them yet or not--Didnt have anytime to really run them in today. Ill have more time tomorrow , But they definiatley give the car a more aggressive stance, and I like it.

Daniel

[suprchrgdmini]

tony,
the guys at helix did my spings with no tools.

[TonyB]

bluemcs, glad to hear that you like the H-Sports. I too think the lowering is quite ideal on these. While aesthetics are not the most important to me, I would like to see some of the gap in the wheel well disappear. And coupled with a rear sway bar mod, this is probably perfect for the street. Agreed. Apparently if I want to utilize the most extreme setting on my rear bar though, I would need to go with coilovers:

I was just going to give you the link to an MCO thread, but it looks like you are in that discussion

CSDan, thanks for sharing. I feel that I will buy or rent the tool and try it myself, maybe over the 4th of July weekend. So, what springs did you install??? Please give us your driving impressions, when the weather improves...

Thanks suprchrgdmini. It appears that there is some technique for doing so, not just brute strength, which I'm sure doesn't hurt though

I will try following-up with Randy again to get his input as to what he was referring to. If so, I will share...

[Out Motoring]

Many of the large auto parts stores offer FREE use of a spring compressor, just give them a call and see what their policy is. If you just have to have one of your own, I've seen the HarborFreight.com for very cheap.

[chiph]

I helped a friend change out the springs on his Acura Integra -- we used a compressor and had it slip on us. We were both very lucky not to lose any fingers, or have the spring punch a hole through the wall of his garage. If you plan to buy one - don't skimp on the quality. The energy stored in the spring is truly immense (although the MINI may not have as much tension on it as the Acura did) and can really hurt you.

Chip H.

[TonyB]

Thanks guys. Good info. I will check the local Kragen's Auto parts the next time I'm there. I just did the rear sway bar today, and I don't think these springs would be that difficult - with the proper tools, especially.