How Easy Is It To Fit Lowering Springs?

ian_w · March 2, 2013

Got some APEX springs this week and toying with the idea of doing it myself. Got a quote of "about 200 quid" which is a bit more than I was expecting.

I'm no mechanic but have done stuff like change brake discs myself in the past so not totally useless. Need some spring compressors but screwfix do some that look OK for £20-30.

Is it a relatively simple job or should I bite the bullet and pay the man (or try someone else for a better price)?

IHgs300 · March 2, 2013

Straight forward one you have the spring compressors, just the length of time it takes really. DONT lean over strut while using compressors seen a couple snap and they fly some distance with a lot of force.

bigdave-is200 · March 4, 2013

Its a easy job but to really speed things up see if your local garage would take the springs off shocks for you and pop the new ones on bung them a £10 fiddle they all love playing the fiddle.

ian_w · March 4, 2013

Not a bad idea that, need to pop the other car round the garage this week so will see if they're up for it.

Cheers

matt-c · March 5, 2013

Having changed springs (and shocks) before, it's not too hard, provided you don't run into any rusted/seized bolts or hubs. Course, on my old 1986 Escort, this was all I ran into! And of course, it was easier to do on that car because the rears are simply wishbones the springs sit in, so can easily take out one bolt, let it drop down, replace spring, and use a jack to get it back into place. We did all the bushes at the same time, and to be honest, you might as well.

However, I wouldn't be doing it myself anymore. It's just that bit easier to run it down to a garage, and have them put it up on a two-post lifter, drop all the suspension out, swap over what's needed, and refit. So much easier than doing it on the floor with jacks and axel stands.

ian_w · March 5, 2013

That is the niggling thing in the back of my mind, if everything goes smoothly I'm sure I'll be fine but how often do things go to plan?!

I'll get some more quotes and see where we get to. At 200 I'll probably have a go, if I can find someone to do it for 100-150 then I'll hand it over.

Anyone any idea of what others have paid?

dj0nes · March 11, 2013

Sounds pretty expensive to me considering you got the alignment to pay for on top of that.

I would definately get friendly with your local fast fit centre and pop the struts down there and let them swap them and you refit.

andyk134 · March 23, 2013

Paid 160, 40 quid an hour for 4 hours work and a half price alignment at 30 quid. Don't have the kills myself so go to someone I trust to work on my car and happy to pay for good work.