need help

[Broken_Rod]

Ok im haveing a problem with getting my suspension off ive tried to use a spring tensioner but it didnt fit ive tryed two different kinds still didnt work my problem is i cant get enough clearence to clear the upper A-Arm if anyone could give me a head up of what to do or even give me a hand would be great thanks

[solman]

As far as i know, and the way i did it, you need to take the spring and strut assembly totally out and then you can easily compress the spring. I hope that helps.

[Broken_Rod]

but i need to take the stress off the spring first so that it wont damage any lims or my car??????

Well i wonder when the next meet will be i hope that it is before march 17 because im going to drive down to California then and wanted to get these on before then so maybe we could have a fix a sol meet and maybe everyone could help me then. wink wink fix a sol meet...

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 04, 2005 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Robert_B ]</font>

[solman]

i didn't have to the spring and strut are all in one part. at the top there is a mount that is held on with one nut. if you look in the engine bay you can see three nuts, two on the side and one in the middle. the middle one you don't want to unscrew. the other two you unscrew and it will come free. except that there is another part connected to the bottom of the strut that also has to be unbolted. hope this dosn't confuse you.

[girliedelsol]

I have a shop manual of the del sol. If you want me to I can copy the pages and email them to you. It makes it a ton easier with the extra help.

[Geo VP]

Robert you have to take them off the car before you can take them apart. I've done it with my car (lowing springs only with new shocks, not coilovers). The rears are real quick if the bolts on the lower control arms don't give you any problems, like snap the heads off (only have that problem if it looks rusty back there). The fronts aren't that bad either, just a few more things to remove like brake lines that bolt to the shock. I did it on a Friday evening and was done in about 3-4 hours total doing it by myself. You will have to have a spring compressor mainly for the fronts, the backs are not as bad on that part, but can still fly if your not careful.

Materials needed:
A nice flat, dry area to work in
2 hydraulic jacks
2 jack stands
Standard Metic tool kit (no special tools)
Spring compressor
Electric drill (if you break the bolts) with bits
A Friend to help would be nice to assist

By the way Robert, try deleting the other post you made.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington



<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 05, 2005 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Geo VP ]</font>

[Broken_Rod]

I get what you guys are saying that you dont need use the spring compressor to get the whole unit out but my manual says that i need to use it to take the whole assembely out. So i figure out that my manual is incorrect about this because you cant fit the compressor on there with the upper A-arm still attached but the manual doesnt explain anything about that. What i really need is a better manual. lol thanks guys for your help i think i can figure it out from here.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 05, 2005 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Robert_B ]</font>

[Broken_Rod]

thanks guys for your help i just got it down yesterday it only took me 4 hours to do. I put on all my tein flex coilovers and my skunk2 front camber kit. now im getting new 16" wheels and 40 series tires and get an alignment done.

[Geo VP]

Good for you, hope it all works out fine. I was pretty busy this weekend but probably could have given a hand for a couple of hours on it.

Geo
President
Team Sol of Washington