would it be possible to change the suspension myself ? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

haah · 03-12-2003, 04:35 PM

so would it be possible ?
what equipment i need ?
how do i compress the spring ?
how do i install a absober ?

Dousan_PG · 03-12-2003, 04:39 PM

its a very simple job
but if you dont know how to do it, i dont suggest it (or have a friend who knows what they are doing to help you, its good to know how and learn it)

basically, if you are changing it, you need a spring compressor, basic tools (sockets etc) and a torque wrench (to torque it down to spec).

you can rent a spring compressor at most auto parts stores for a deposit and a very small fee.

basically compress spring, unbolt and remove spring, decompress slowly.

and its just the opposite putting the new spring on the new shock. compressing, then bolt top back on, bolt into car, torque down to spec

GET AN ALIGNMENT (very important)

i think that's it in a nut shell

THX1138 · 03-12-2003, 06:10 PM

Check in the install section here and on 240sx.org and you'll find several write-ups folks have made, describing strut/spring installations in obscene detail. Get a few of these, print them out, read them several times, and keep them handy while you're doing the work. Many of them mention common trouble spots and suggest ways to solve the problems.

haah · 03-12-2003, 11:35 PM

wow
thanks a lot for the information

ygblat · 03-12-2003, 11:48 PM

just curious, are you replacing the stock with an aftermarket one and if so, which one? (looking for ideas for myself).

haah · 03-12-2003, 11:50 PM

i haven't bought one yet
but i am thinking of kyb + eibach spring

MorganS13 · 03-13-2003, 12:14 AM

have fun gettin those lower bolts off

i changed mine when i worked at an infiniti dealer so i had access to a lift, spring comressor, air tools, etc...

i don't know if i could've gotten those bottom bolts off at home, they didn't wanna budge from being rusted so much, i'm surprised i didn't strip/snap off the heads with the air wrench

THX1138 · 03-13-2003, 07:58 PM

Don't remind me, Morgan. Despite having all the tools and the help of a pal who'd swapped the springs on his S14 just a few weeks earlier, my AGX/ProKit install could hardly have been worse. The nuts on top of both front strut/spring assemblies were cross-threaded from when I had stock-replacement struts put in a few years ago. Stupid Sears.

One stripped the threads off the shaft as it came off, the other never let go and the shaft sheared off!

Damage done during front install: 4 broken Vise-Grips, one shattered screwdriver handle, ~276 scratches in concrete driveway, ~276 curse words uttered.

Then those frickin bottom bolts on the back wouldn't budge; we broke a breaker bar trying to get them off and I had to get them loosened by the mechanic when I had the AC compressor replaced a few days later. Once that was done the rears went in super-easy.

But don't get discouraged, haah. As long as things aren't corroded too badly or some fool didn't cross-thread or overtighten something when the dampers were replaced the last time, it'll just be a few hours of fun hard work.

03-12-2003, 04:35 PM	#1
haah Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 61 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	would it be possible to change the suspension myself ? so would it be possible ? what equipment i need ? how do i compress the spring ? how do i install a absober ?

03-12-2003, 04:39 PM	#2
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 46 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	its a very simple job but if you dont know how to do it, i dont suggest it (or have a friend who knows what they are doing to help you, its good to know how and learn it) basically, if you are changing it, you need a spring compressor, basic tools (sockets etc) and a torque wrench (to torque it down to spec). you can rent a spring compressor at most auto parts stores for a deposit and a very small fee. basically compress spring, unbolt and remove spring, decompress slowly. and its just the opposite putting the new spring on the new shock. compressing, then bolt top back on, bolt into car, torque down to spec GET AN ALIGNMENT (very important) i think that's it in a nut shell __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

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03-12-2003, 06:10 PM	#3
THX1138 Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 264 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check in the install section here and on 240sx.org and you'll find several write-ups folks have made, describing strut/spring installations in obscene detail. Get a few of these, print them out, read them several times, and keep them handy while you're doing the work. Many of them mention common trouble spots and suggest ways to solve the problems.

03-12-2003, 11:35 PM	#4
haah Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 61 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	wow thanks a lot for the information

03-12-2003, 11:48 PM	#5
ygblat Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 40 Posts: 5 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just curious, are you replacing the stock with an aftermarket one and if so, which one? (looking for ideas for myself).

03-12-2003, 11:50 PM	#6
haah Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 61 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i haven't bought one yet but i am thinking of kyb + eibach spring

03-13-2003, 12:14 AM	#7
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	have fun gettin those lower bolts off i changed mine when i worked at an infiniti dealer so i had access to a lift, spring comressor, air tools, etc... i don't know if i could've gotten those bottom bolts off at home, they didn't wanna budge from being rusted so much, i'm surprised i didn't strip/snap off the heads with the air wrench

03-13-2003, 07:58 PM	#8
THX1138 Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 264 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Don't remind me, Morgan. Despite having all the tools and the help of a pal who'd swapped the springs on his S14 just a few weeks earlier, my AGX/ProKit install could hardly have been worse. The nuts on top of both front strut/spring assemblies were cross-threaded from when I had stock-replacement struts put in a few years ago. Stupid Sears. One stripped the threads off the shaft as it came off, the other never let go and the shaft sheared off! Damage done during front install: 4 broken Vise-Grips, one shattered screwdriver handle, ~276 scratches in concrete driveway, ~276 curse words uttered. Then those frickin bottom bolts on the back wouldn't budge; we broke a breaker bar trying to get them off and I had to get them loosened by the mechanic when I had the AC compressor replaced a few days later. Once that was done the rears went in super-easy. But don't get discouraged, haah. As long as things aren't corroded too badly or some fool didn't cross-thread or overtighten something when the dampers were replaced the last time, it'll just be a few hours of fun hard work.