Suspension Spring Removal Question

[jfitz981]

Hi All-

I wanted to change the spring that are currently on my esprit. I have GAZ dampers. My question is: With aftermarket suspension, do I need to compress the spring before I remove the damper? I know to change the factory set up you need to use a spring clamp(s) but I was not sure with aftermarket dampers.

Thanks for the help.
Jason S4

[cnh1990]

All the coil over shocks need to have the springs compressed to remove what you call the damper. The small size of the spring makes it difficult to use a lot of the spring compressors that are out there. Many of us end up using 2-3 1" wide straps to to keep the springs in slight compression while the unit is still attached to the car and still on the ground. Then raise the car and remove the unit. The straps will keep the springs in compression to allow the dampers to be removed. There is not much spring pressure but it still hold a lot of kinetic energy so be careful of when doing this.

[GreenV8S]

If the spring is attached to the damper at both ends (a conventional coilover damper) then you would normally remove the spring and damper from the car as a unit and then separate them using spring compressors. But you can get dampers which look very similar but where one or both ends of the spring attach directly to the body or suspension, and there you would need to use a spring compressor to take the load off the spring seat in order to remove the damper from the car.

[jfitz981]

Okay...my setup has the spring sitting on the platform on the bottom then it attaches to the car.

It sounds like I will have to compress the spring regardless of the setup.
Jason

[lotusespritworld]

Our guide is here:

www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EMaintenance/Suspension_fitting.html

[jk1]

You need a spring compressor for the front but the rear can be done without compressing the springs.