Installing lowering springs help

ZStig · 04-08-2011, 01:25 PM

Should I pay a shop $200 to install it, or can I just buy a spring compressing tool and knock it out in a few hours at home? I have HR springs with 15mm spring pads for the rear to install. Any instructions online?

inTgr8r · 04-08-2011, 01:30 PM

They are an easy DIY.
There are places that loan out compression tools
Bill's web page gives lots of DIY info for COs, but the basics apply.
http://www.billswebspace.com/BMWZ4MK...llationDIY.htm

ZStig · 04-08-2011, 01:47 PM

Thanks!

45ACP · 04-08-2011, 01:51 PM

For $200 I'd rather pay a reliable shop to do it for the convenience, but if you'd rather DIY, Autozone loans out spring compression tools. Don't forget about a wheel alignment after the springs settle a bit.

Pheonix · 04-08-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

They are an easy DIY.
There are places that loan out compression tools
Bill's web page gives lots of DIY info for COs, but the basics apply.
http://www.billswebspace.com/BMWZ4MK...llationDIY.htm

I helped to swap out the springs on a Z4MC! It was super easy and we finished in a few hours. Bill's DYI was very helpfull; however, you don't have to remove the trunk's carpet if you are only do the springs (for the Rears). I have a set of Eibach but is will wait until the OEM struts worn out and replace them all together. Good luck

ZStig · 04-08-2011, 01:52 PM

Looks doable without any extra tools. The rears look especially easy, since you can leave the shocks in place

dorifto88 · 04-08-2011, 02:38 PM

its not that bad, it took me 2 days because i was going slow on purpose. just make sure you try to take note of how things go back together again lol.

ZStig · 04-08-2011, 02:52 PM

is the front a major PITA to put back together because you need to fit the shock back in there too?

krnnerdboy · 04-08-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

is the front a major PITA to put back together because you need to fit the shock back in there too?

what I did for the front was w/ the car on the ground I took off the top mount bolt that holds the spring and strut together. then you raise the car. You won't need the compressor for the front h&r springs as they are shorter.

Mainly b/c there is no upper control arm to mess with, this job is considered a breeze. I didn't need a compressor at all but every vehicle is not the same, so it's good to have one on hand.

ZStig · 04-09-2011, 02:42 PM

I'm gonna wait until next weekend so a friend with some more knowledge can help out, I do NOT wanna be stuck in the middle of a job, its my only car now, haha

ZStig · 04-16-2011, 04:52 PM

finished installing them myself today in about 4 hours. Didn't know I needed a 24mm sockett for the job. The rears took about 15 minutes each. Fronts were a bit of a bitch on the ol' forearms. Spring compressor was not needed at all. I had the 15mm rear pads waiting to go in, but decided to see how it would look like without them first, and maybe use lower spring perches in the front later if needed to even it out (as opposed to raising the rear)

dorifto88 · 04-16-2011, 05:27 PM

pictures or i call shenanigans !

ZStig · 04-16-2011, 07:02 PM

I'm so proud of me, saved $200, and bought $80 worth of tools. Gonna get a nice low profile jack too now. Now pics yet, since its raining like mad all day + they need a week or 2 to settle. Stock from ground to highest point of fender at the wheel opening was 26.25" iirc

alvinli217 · 04-17-2011, 12:20 AM

are u gonna run without the rear 15mm pads first and see or just gonna do it with them on at the same time?

ZStig · 04-17-2011, 12:38 AM

I'm gonna run a week without them, and in the meantime, order these front lowering perches to bring the front down by 10-15mm. http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/p130...duct_info.html

The rear already looks lower than the front (a few hours later), and the front looks almost stock. No point in raising the rear too...

+ I'll get $40 back for returning the 15mm pads

also, its making some noises now, I probably didn't seat one of the springs in the pads correctly, I'll re-check everything when I get the perches in. Hopefully they're not a bitch to install

alvinli217 · 04-17-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I'm gonna run a week without them, and in the meantime, order these front lowering perches to bring the front down by 10-15mm. http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/p130...duct_info.html

The rear already looks lower than the front (a few hours later), and the front looks almost stock. No point in raising the rear too...

+ I'll get $40 back for returning the 15mm pads

also, its making some noises now, I probably didn't seat one of the springs in the pads correctly, I'll re-check everything when I get the perches in. Hopefully they're not a bitch to install

thanks man, i think im gonna order that front mount too

please do take pictures of it when u install the front mounts
Thanks in advance!

mousitch · 04-17-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I'm gonna run a week without them, and in the meantime, order these front lowering perches to bring the front down by 10-15mm. http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/p130...duct_info.html

The rear already looks lower than the front (a few hours later), and the front looks almost stock. No point in raising the rear too...

+ I'll get $40 back for returning the 15mm pads

also, its making some noises now, I probably didn't seat one of the springs in the pads correctly, I'll re-check everything when I get the perches in. Hopefully they're not a bitch to install

Awesome find. Ordering the perches also. Let me know how hard the install is. need just a slight more drop in front.

ZStig · 04-17-2011, 06:18 PM

So far in 24 hours I dropped .75" front, and 1" rear. Def getting the front perches, as I don't think it'll even out. Love the look with the drop!!!!

ride is slightly worse, same as going from 18s to 19s, but handling is more flat, and it looks much better. I'll order the perches, and report back in about a week

alvinli217 · 04-18-2011, 03:49 AM

^cool thanks man!

really wanna see the detail on installing the perches as i won't get my springs until beginning of May

Thanks in advance!

mousitch · 04-18-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

So far in 24 hours I dropped .75" front, and 1" rear. Def getting the front perches, as I don't think it'll even out. Love the look with the drop!!!!

ride is slightly worse, same as going from 18s to 19s, but handling is more flat, and it looks much better. I'll order the perches, and report back in about a week

So you just loosened the nut that holds the spring on when the car was on the ground? I wish I would have known that trick. I ran all over town to get someone to remove the springs for $50. Guess if I want to install the lower perches the springs must be removes again. Should be easy since I already have the H&R's installed.

inTgr8r · 04-18-2011, 10:18 AM

^if you do that, be careful as you lift the car, because everything will hang loose.
watch the brake lines & pad sensor cable.

ZStig · 04-18-2011, 10:22 AM

yeah, I loosened the big motherloving nut that holds the shock to the spring while the rest of the assembly was still held on to the shock tower with the 3 surrounding bolt. Car doesn't have to be on the ground, just have to have the 3 surrounding nuts on, so it doesn't twist. I also used an allen key in the center, while tighening it back up, otherwise it just spun in its place.

Edit, as long as its not completely removed, it won't drop down as you raise the car.

Perches ordered for $70 shipped from supremepowerparts.com

04-08-2011, 01:25 PM	#1
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	Installing lowering springs help Should I pay a shop $200 to install it, or can I just buy a spring compressing tool and knock it out in a few hours at home? I have HR springs with 15mm spring pads for the rear to install. Any instructions online? __________________
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04-08-2011, 01:30 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2427 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	They are an easy DIY. There are places that loan out compression tools Bill's web page gives lots of DIY info for COs, but the basics apply. http://www.billswebspace.com/BMWZ4MK...llationDIY.htm __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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04-08-2011, 01:47 PM	#3
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	Thanks! __________________
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04-08-2011, 01:51 PM	#4
45ACP Long Live the 1911 46 Rep 643 Posts Drives: Hooptie Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 550i [0.00] 2008 M Coupe (retired) [0.00] 2007 335i (retired) [0.00]	For $200 I'd rather pay a reliable shop to do it for the convenience, but if you'd rather DIY, Autozone loans out spring compression tools. Don't forget about a wheel alignment after the springs settle a bit.
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04-08-2011, 01:52 PM	#6
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	Looks doable without any extra tools. The rears look especially easy, since you can leave the shocks in place __________________
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04-08-2011, 02:38 PM	#7
dorifto88 Major 49 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 88 Nissan Pathfinder Join Date: May 2010 Location: cowtown iTrader: (4)	its not that bad, it took me 2 days because i was going slow on purpose. just make sure you try to take note of how things go back together again lol.
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04-08-2011, 02:52 PM	#8
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	is the front a major PITA to put back together because you need to fit the shock back in there too? __________________
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04-09-2011, 02:42 PM	#10
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I'm gonna wait until next weekend so a friend with some more knowledge can help out, I do NOT wanna be stuck in the middle of a job, its my only car now, haha __________________
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04-16-2011, 04:52 PM	#11
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	finished installing them myself today in about 4 hours. Didn't know I needed a 24mm sockett for the job. The rears took about 15 minutes each. Fronts were a bit of a bitch on the ol' forearms. Spring compressor was not needed at all. I had the 15mm rear pads waiting to go in, but decided to see how it would look like without them first, and maybe use lower spring perches in the front later if needed to even it out (as opposed to raising the rear) __________________
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04-16-2011, 05:27 PM	#12
dorifto88 Major 49 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 88 Nissan Pathfinder Join Date: May 2010 Location: cowtown iTrader: (4)	pictures or i call shenanigans !
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04-16-2011, 07:02 PM	#13
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I'm so proud of me, saved $200, and bought $80 worth of tools. Gonna get a nice low profile jack too now. Now pics yet, since its raining like mad all day + they need a week or 2 to settle. Stock from ground to highest point of fender at the wheel opening was 26.25" iirc __________________
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04-17-2011, 12:20 AM	#14
alvinli217 Captain 47 Rep 715 Posts Drives: Imola RED dIrTy Z4MR - SOLD Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver, B.C iTrader: (2)	are u gonna run without the rear 15mm pads first and see or just gonna do it with them on at the same time? __________________ RPI scoop\|BMC drop in filter\|EAS V1 aluminum mount\|ZHP shiftknob\|RHO plate holder\|matte black grill\|LED interior & license plate light\|RE SSK\|RE tranny mount\|UUC engine mount\|Bavarian CDV\|clutch stop\|18" Forgestar CF5 GOLD\|RPI exhaust\|H&R coilovers\| RE RSM\| coming soon: aFe intake\|tune\|secondary cat delete\|
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04-17-2011, 12:38 AM	#15
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I'm gonna run a week without them, and in the meantime, order these front lowering perches to bring the front down by 10-15mm. http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/p130...duct_info.html The rear already looks lower than the front (a few hours later), and the front looks almost stock. No point in raising the rear too... + I'll get $40 back for returning the 15mm pads also, its making some noises now, I probably didn't seat one of the springs in the pads correctly, I'll re-check everything when I get the perches in. Hopefully they're not a bitch to install __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2011, 06:18 PM	#18
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	So far in 24 hours I dropped .75" front, and 1" rear. Def getting the front perches, as I don't think it'll even out. Love the look with the drop!!!! ride is slightly worse, same as going from 18s to 19s, but handling is more flat, and it looks much better. I'll order the perches, and report back in about a week __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2011, 03:49 AM	#19
alvinli217 Captain 47 Rep 715 Posts Drives: Imola RED dIrTy Z4MR - SOLD Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver, B.C iTrader: (2)	^cool thanks man! really wanna see the detail on installing the perches as i won't get my springs until beginning of May Thanks in advance! __________________ RPI scoop\|BMC drop in filter\|EAS V1 aluminum mount\|ZHP shiftknob\|RHO plate holder\|matte black grill\|LED interior & license plate light\|RE SSK\|RE tranny mount\|UUC engine mount\|Bavarian CDV\|clutch stop\|18" Forgestar CF5 GOLD\|RPI exhaust\|H&R coilovers\| RE RSM\| coming soon: aFe intake\|tune\|secondary cat delete\|
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04-18-2011, 10:18 AM	#21
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2427 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	^if you do that, be careful as you lift the car, because everything will hang loose. watch the brake lines & pad sensor cable. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold) Last edited by inTgr8r; 04-19-2011 at 07:29 AM..
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04-18-2011, 10:22 AM	#22
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	yeah, I loosened the big motherloving nut that holds the shock to the spring while the rest of the assembly was still held on to the shock tower with the 3 surrounding bolt. Car doesn't have to be on the ground, just have to have the 3 surrounding nuts on, so it doesn't twist. I also used an allen key in the center, while tighening it back up, otherwise it just spun in its place. Edit, as long as its not completely removed, it won't drop down as you raise the car. Perches ordered for $70 shipped from supremepowerparts.com __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote