Whats involved in installing springs????

Sonicbooost · 03-16-2006, 01:15 PM

Ok well i ordered some COBB sport springs for the car but can only find 1 place around my house that can install them. The thing is, they havent done springs on an STI before because they mainly do american muscle cars. They said they "can" do it but they dont know what is involved and they charge $75.00 an hour for labor. So if it takes them 3 hours to do it thats like $225 bux!!!!!!! SO my question is 1.can i do this myself? and 2.If i were to have them do it, whats all involved so i have a round-a-bout idea of how long it will/should take them? Thanks.

eatV8 · 03-16-2006, 01:18 PM

If you have the tools, it is certainly possible to do it yourself. Where are you located? There might be some local forum members who would love to come over and help if there was a pizza ordered :-P

Time - it should take them 2-3hrs.

Grunt · 03-16-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatV8

If you have the tools, it is certainly possible to do it yourself. Where are you located? There might be some local forum members who would love to come over and help if there was a pizza ordered :-P

Pizza? And maybe some strip club money.

***austinpike*** · 03-16-2006, 01:27 PM

I would plan on 3 hours for them to do it, if they knew what they were doing. Given that they don't it could well be longer. I have done my own car like three times but the last job I helped out on did not go smoothly and it took pretty much all day (including lunch and a couple of parts runs.)

There are some writeups on here and nasioc, do some searching.
hint: http://iwsti.com/forums/showthread.p...spring+install
unfotunately it does not really give a complete step by step but much of it is there.

HWYKING · 03-16-2006, 01:35 PM

it should only take about 2-3 hours, even for a rookie. where are you located?

rasetsu · 03-16-2006, 03:19 PM

Check the stickies. There's a good write-up about installing pink springs. The procedure is the same. With the right tools and a couple of buddies, it can be done in about 2-3 hours. With air tools, it can be done by yourself in about 2 hours flat.

I would set aside at least half a day for it and have a friend and another car on hand as there are always bottlenecks in the process for beginners and possible parts runs.

BayRain · 03-16-2006, 04:45 PM

It really is a pretty easy job. Taking the struts out is quick if you know what you are doing. If you know what size all the bolts are, it goes really fast. I have taken them out so many times now, I can get all four out in about 30 minutes.

Taking them apart and putting them back together is quick as well. Just make sure you have a spring compressor. Make sure the top hat is on correctly.

THen put them back in. It's a pretty easy job if you have the tools.

DoctorSTi · 03-16-2006, 05:31 PM

I did mine by myself for the first time this past weekend and I will tell you it took me at least half a day with a parts run to sears because of broken sockets and having to get a 4 foot cheater bar. I will say without doubt that it would take me less then half the time having done them once already and with two people it would be even faster. I would believe 2-3 hours if you got someone from the forum to help out or set aside a day by yourself.
You will need:
spring compressor - auto zone rents them
12mm ratcheting wrench strut tops
12mm deep socket, shallow would do I suppose for seat bolts
19mm impact socket and 19mm open ended wrench
wax pen or paint marker to mark eccentric camber bolt (top 19mm bolt on fronts)
PB blaster to loosen the bolts a little.
1/2 drive breaker bar and 4 foot 1 inch square tubing from Home depot
14mm socket for brake line and speed sensor holders
17mm through-socket wrench and 5mm to 7mm (can't remember) allen wrench but break them loose while the car is on the ground (this and the breaker bar are the two best hints by far)
If you are going to be cutting bumpstops I think you will need a 15mm or 14mm can't remember for the nut on the bottom of the strut housing that allows you to remove the inverted cartridge. You will need the breaker bar and a way to stabilize the strut while you break this one loose or you can break it loose while still attached to the hubs! Thats another hint if you will be cutting bumpstops.
Other then that a flat head screwdriver rubber mallet to get the rear brake like clips off and your basic jack and jackstands will do the job.
If anyone can confirm or deny the socket sizes feel free.
I would also suggest that you use the paint pen to put a mark on the bottom spring perch and the top spring perch so you can line them up when the new springs go in. This took me three struts to figure out because lining that crap up so it's correct is impossible without an intact opposite side.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 03-16-2006, 05:32 PM

an air gun really makes a difference.

ramon120 · 03-16-2006, 05:32 PM

Where do you live. I just installed my Cobb spring a couple of weeks ago on my 06 and I love them. I live in south Jersey and I have a large garage and tools!

Greg · 03-16-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorSTi

17mm through-socket wrench and 5mm to 7mm (can't remember) allen wrench but break them loose while the car is on the ground

Can you describe this in more detail? I also saw that recommendation on thread in the sticky but didn't really understand it.

BayRain · 03-16-2006, 08:58 PM

When I get on my comp I will send you a couple links that goes through the process step by step with pictures.

If he is refering to the 17mm strut top bolt, then there are methods in which people break those loose. You need special tools for that method. I like to break the bolt while the car is on the ground. Don't try to do it once you have the strut out. That is a pain in the you know what.

rasetsu · 03-16-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Can you describe this in more detail? I also saw that recommendation on thread in the sticky but didn't really understand it.

There's a nut on the top of each strut. Pop off the little dust cover on your front struts tops and you'll see what people are talking about. That nut basically holds the strut and spring assembly in place along with the strut top. The tip of the strut assembly is an Allen head.

Basically, you need break that nut loose with an open ended socket because you have to insert and Allen key through the socket to hold the strut to keep it from spinning. Having impact tools makes this unneccessary because the impact wrench can produce enough torque fast enough to loosen the nut without moving the strut.

To break that nut loose with the struts out of the car, you basically need three guys. One to hold the strut assembly, one to hold the Allen, and the strongest guy to break the nut loose with the open socket wrench. I learned this the hard way.

BayRain · 03-16-2006, 09:27 PM

Here check this out...

STi pink spring installation procedure and pictures!

91TB78 · 03-17-2006, 03:37 AM

I don't think it would take long at all. austinpike and I did mine, but with complications. If these things didn't happen, it would have been a 2-3 hr job no problem:
--stripped strut assembly nut--this REALLY sucked, but could have been worse
--First time installing Tanabe GF210s and finding decent wrap to wrap the lower coils
--First time installing the shock assemblies with the PDE camber plates up front and not realizing that disconnecting the front sway and pushing down really frees up a lot of room.

--A jack that decided to crap itself and leave my car on stands.

All in all, with beers, pizza, a new jack, buying Grp-N rear tops, and the PDE front plates, plus a $2 nut and about $10 in wrapping and other parts it was a tiring, frustrating and expensive day...

I learned a lot. Just springs should be pretty easy and something you could do on your own.

03-16-2006, 01:15 PM	#1
Sonicbooost Senior STI Driver Car: 06 Steel Gray STI Fav Mod: COBB Springs Location: Waterford, Michigan Posts: 357 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Whats involved in installing springs???? Ok well i ordered some COBB sport springs for the car but can only find 1 place around my house that can install them. The thing is, they havent done springs on an STI before because they mainly do american muscle cars. They said they "can" do it but they dont know what is involved and they charge $75.00 an hour for labor. So if it takes them 3 hours to do it thats like $225 bux!!!!!!! SO my question is 1.can i do this myself? and 2.If i were to have them do it, whats all involved so i have a round-a-bout idea of how long it will/should take them? Thanks. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-17-2006, 03:37 AM	#15
91TB78 S204 Racer Car: 06 IX MR Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,667 Join Date: Mar 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	I don't think it would take long at all. austinpike and I did mine, but with complications. If these things didn't happen, it would have been a 2-3 hr job no problem: --stripped strut assembly nut--this REALLY sucked, but could have been worse --First time installing Tanabe GF210s and finding decent wrap to wrap the lower coils --First time installing the shock assemblies with the PDE camber plates up front and not realizing that disconnecting the front sway and pushing down really frees up a lot of room. --A jack that decided to crap itself and leave my car on stands. All in all, with beers, pizza, a new jack, buying Grp-N rear tops, and the PDE front plates, plus a $2 nut and about $10 in wrapping and other parts it was a tiring, frustrating and expensive day... I learned a lot. Just springs should be pretty easy and something you could do on your own. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-16-2006, 01:18 PM	#2
eatV8 retired mod Car: 99 WRX STi V5 Fav Mod: JDM Air Freshener Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,856 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	If you have the tools, it is certainly possible to do it yourself. Where are you located? There might be some local forum members who would love to come over and help if there was a pizza ordered :-P Time - it should take them 2-3hrs.

03-16-2006, 01:27 PM	#4
*austinpike* Platinum Member Car: 2oo5 cgm STi Location: MN Posts: 1,925 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (7)	I would plan on 3 hours for them to do it, if they knew what they were doing. Given that they don't it could well be longer. I have done my own car like three times but the last job I helped out on did not go smoothly and it took pretty much all day (including lunch and a couple of parts runs.) There are some writeups on here and nasioc, do some searching. hint: http://iwsti.com/forums/showthread.p...spring+install unfotunately it does not really give a complete step by step but much of it is there.

03-16-2006, 01:35 PM	#5
HWYKING Senior STI Driver Car: 06 SGM STI Fav Mod: CUSCO 1.5 RS lsd Location: Southern Kalifonia Posts: 392 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	it should only take about 2-3 hours, even for a rookie. where are you located?

03-16-2006, 03:19 PM	#6
rasetsu Spec C Club Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 2,270 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	Check the stickies. There's a good write-up about installing pink springs. The procedure is the same. With the right tools and a couple of buddies, it can be done in about 2-3 hours. With air tools, it can be done by yourself in about 2 hours flat. I would set aside at least half a day for it and have a friend and another car on hand as there are always bottlenecks in the process for beginners and possible parts runs.

03-16-2006, 04:45 PM	#7
BayRain Senior STI Driver Car: 05 Legacy Location: North of the Golden Gate Posts: 324 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	It really is a pretty easy job. Taking the struts out is quick if you know what you are doing. If you know what size all the bolts are, it goes really fast. I have taken them out so many times now, I can get all four out in about 30 minutes. Taking them apart and putting them back together is quick as well. Just make sure you have a spring compressor. Make sure the top hat is on correctly. THen put them back in. It's a pretty easy job if you have the tools.

03-16-2006, 05:31 PM	#8
DoctorSTi The Next Petter Solberg Car: 05 CGM STI on 57F br Fav Mod: stage 2 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 869 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	I did mine by myself for the first time this past weekend and I will tell you it took me at least half a day with a parts run to sears because of broken sockets and having to get a 4 foot cheater bar. I will say without doubt that it would take me less then half the time having done them once already and with two people it would be even faster. I would believe 2-3 hours if you got someone from the forum to help out or set aside a day by yourself. You will need: spring compressor - auto zone rents them 12mm ratcheting wrench strut tops 12mm deep socket, shallow would do I suppose for seat bolts 19mm impact socket and 19mm open ended wrench wax pen or paint marker to mark eccentric camber bolt (top 19mm bolt on fronts) PB blaster to loosen the bolts a little. 1/2 drive breaker bar and 4 foot 1 inch square tubing from Home depot 14mm socket for brake line and speed sensor holders 17mm through-socket wrench and 5mm to 7mm (can't remember) allen wrench but break them loose while the car is on the ground (this and the breaker bar are the two best hints by far) If you are going to be cutting bumpstops I think you will need a 15mm or 14mm can't remember for the nut on the bottom of the strut housing that allows you to remove the inverted cartridge. You will need the breaker bar and a way to stabilize the strut while you break this one loose or you can break it loose while still attached to the hubs! Thats another hint if you will be cutting bumpstops. Other then that a flat head screwdriver rubber mallet to get the rear brake like clips off and your basic jack and jackstands will do the job. If anyone can confirm or deny the socket sizes feel free. I would also suggest that you use the paint pen to put a mark on the bottom spring perch and the top spring perch so you can line them up when the new springs go in. This took me three struts to figure out because lining that crap up so it's correct is impossible without an intact opposite side.

03-16-2006, 05:32 PM	#9
*Neanderthal Racing* GT R US Car: CUTN EDG project Fav Mod: $20. mudflaps from auto zone Location: my cave Posts: 5,842 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	an air gun really makes a difference.

03-16-2006, 05:32 PM	#10
ramon120 Amateur STI Driver Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Exhaust Location: Millville NJ Posts: 8 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Where do you live. I just installed my Cobb spring a couple of weeks ago on my 06 and I love them. I live in south Jersey and I have a large garage and tools!

03-16-2006, 08:58 PM	#12
BayRain Senior STI Driver Car: 05 Legacy Location: North of the Golden Gate Posts: 324 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	When I get on my comp I will send you a couple links that goes through the process step by step with pictures. If he is refering to the 17mm strut top bolt, then there are methods in which people break those loose. You need special tools for that method. I like to break the bolt while the car is on the ground. Don't try to do it once you have the strut out. That is a pain in the you know what.

03-16-2006, 09:27 PM	#14
BayRain Senior STI Driver Car: 05 Legacy Location: North of the Golden Gate Posts: 324 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Here check this out... STi pink spring installation procedure and pictures!