What tools for spring change?

Joss

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Hey folks,
I'm going to be heading overt to a friends house to change all the springs, and make it nice and low. I'll be taking my sockets, spanners, spring compressors and even a breaker bar (just in case) but are there any tools that I'll defiantly need that I haven't thought of? He's got a trolley jack and axle stands. Thanks.
 

t-tony

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Wire brush and freeing oil for sure. If you have 6 point impact sockets use them, far better than standard 12 point chrome sockets. A decent pair of Mole grips to hold the shock absorber piston if it spins when undoing the the top nut (be sure to only grip the piston right at the top just under the mounting). If you have an impact wrench take that (if you don't have one and funds allow, get one asap).

Tony.
 
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Lenny b

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Tony impact driver or wrench? I have a driver but thought it was pretty useless for the car.
 

t-tony

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Well spotted Lenny I did mean Impact Wrench not driver. I had just been talking about a driver. Thanks for pointing that out, I'll edit that post so it doesn't confuse any one else.

Tony.

ps I bought Ryobi 1/2" drive Impact Wrench. Great bit of kit.
 
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Lenny b

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Keep toying with the idea, just not sure I'll get the use from it....... I have makita tools and batteries, but have heard good things about ryobi
 

5harp3y

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Get yourself some pass through sockets for the top nuts on the front shocks

Like these

Make the job so easy

You will also need spring compressors if you are doing the job safely, they are dirt cheap at screwfix
 

DrWong

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Get yourself some pass through sockets for the top nuts on the front shocks

Like these

Make the job so easy

You will also need spring compressors if you are doing the job safely, they are dirt cheap at screwfix
Good shout on the sockets. Or if you’re tight like me, attack a cheapo Halfords jobbie with an angle grinder:woot:
5ED02A68-E82E-4FC0-8FD4-06B91CE494D1.jpeg
 

Mor61e

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Good shout on the sockets. Or if you’re tight like me, attack a cheapo Halfords jobbie with an angle grinder:woot:
View attachment 99352
Haha that's a great shout :D

I went years using and making any tool I could find for top mount nuts, before eventually buying an offset spanner set, should have got them much earlier :joyful:
 

Mor61e

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You'll also need to be dressed like this when compressing the springs:

IMG_7555.JPG
 

DrWong

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Haha that's a great shout :D

I went years using and making any tool I could find for top mount nuts, before eventually buying an offset spanner set, should have got them much earlier :joyful:
BMW sell an actual top mount socket for about £50 =))
Has the same part number as what I scribbled:)
 

Mor61e

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BMW sell an actual top mount socket for about £50 =))
Has the same part number as what I scribbled:)
Ah is that right? Going to investigate that tomorrow :D

Is that 312210 or 312240?
 

t-tony

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Never, ever used such a socket and I'd lay odds no "technician" in a BMW workshop would either. Also, never ever used one on any other make of car and I have changed hundreds of springs.

Tony.
 

Mazza

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Hope you don't mind me adding this to your thread.....

BUT...For those like me, that haven’t done this sort of work yet, and understand the need for the ‘ special tool’ , I have just been out to my car to have a look.
Now it makes sense ......@t-tony please check this :nurse:
Simplifying the procedure......Once the spring and shock have been removed from the car ( entailing undoing various bits at the hub end and the three nuts on the turret) then, to remove the spring it needs to be compressed. ( the dangerous part of the job :eek:) then to undo the large nut at the top you have to stop the shaft turning by holding the small hexagon just above the nut. ( As in picture)
6D39FA3E-0000-4573-A636-BD62292BB2A5.jpeg

Hence a special socket to give access.
I suppose an extension bar with an 8mm socket running through a 22mm box spanner could work as below???
97E49E56-7734-4F93-A878-08A87909212F.jpeg


PS......Dont actually undo them while strut is in this position :eek: Pain and catastrophe will ensue !
 

Nodzed

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t-tony

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As pointed out you do normally have to compress the spring, however in this case it appears all the tension of the spring has been released by the coil unwinding down the outside of the strut.
Yes, you can loosen the top nut by holding the shocker piston and turning the nut but IF you have an impact wrench (Air or Electric) you don't need to. Just take a little tension on the coils with your compressor and buzz the nut loose (NOT all the way off) then continue to compress the spring and once you have it compressed enough to relieve any tension remove the nut and gently desperate the spring and strut. When you're re building it once you get the end of the piston through the top mounting fit the nut by hand and tighten down to the nyloc. Once you've released the spring enough to set a little tension on the spring seats buzz the nut down tight.(you'll know when it's tight because the piston will rotate. Finally release all tension off the compressed coils and remove the compressor. When the strut is back on the car and the car is back on its wheels you can re check the top nut is tight with a ratchet then fit the plastic cover. I think that the next time we do some at the Shed I'll video the process for you all.

Tony.
 
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Jack Ratt

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@Mazza I used a very similar technique to undo my strut nut. I used a 22mm box spanner or tube spanner and a 1/4 drive 8mm socket down the centre just as you have. It worked for me, but I have since acquired a Makita impact wrench for any future requirements.
 

DrWong

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Dont know what compressors you are using but have a look at theses (hope you're not using a pair of wind downs :nailbiting:)

https://zroadster.org/threads/spring-compressors.27625/
Wish I'd known about these when doing mine. Look sooo much safer than the ones I got from ECP and cheaper too. Perfect if you're only looking to the springs as a one time job, i.e. can't justify the expense of floor compressors or similar
 
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