Do you need spring compressors for 140# rear springs?

chrisreale · 10-22-2002, 01:44 PM

To install them, are spring compressors needed?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Depends on the free length of the spring. I forget what the max is for not needing the compressors...

I think most 140s do not need compressors to install. Mine did not.

Removing the old stock springs is safer if you use them. Some people who evidently can't spell "liability" will just tell you to take it all apart without even thinking about where the spring could launch the upper retainer, washer, nut, etc. If you do decide not to use spring compressors to take the old springs off, be careful what you point them at. It's no fun to go looking for the little bits that jumped across the garage and out of the door... And that's assuming they don't wind up bouncing off of you first.

--DD

chrisreale · 10-22-2002, 03:16 PM

Yea, how would I explain to my girlfriend why my face is black and blue? "No it was NOT a bar fight...!"

Zeke · 10-22-2002, 05:22 PM

You might cop to the bar fight rather than admitting that your car hurt you.

3D914 · 3D914's Garage

Chirs,

I go with Dave. I did my 165# springs with no special compressor. I was able to push a little to get the nut started, and worked it down from there. No brainer!

Regards,

piperpilotduane · 10-23-2002, 12:13 PM

It's taking the old springs off that will bite you! Buy,borrowor steal some spring compressors. I got mine (china) for $8.00 at a flea market. good luck!

nutzforporsche · 10-23-2002, 12:23 PM

On the subject of springs.....
How in the heck other than setting the spring height / tension do you adjust them? I know that inside the rear trunk there is the main keeper nut that holds them on, but there is this little adjuster sticking up. What does that puppy do?
Thanks All!

Steve
73' 2.0L Rayco Bodied Teener

piperpilotduane · 10-23-2002, 12:30 PM

Bilstien shocks have seat adjustments on the bottom end of the shock. allowing you to adjust the seat pearch up or down by moving a c-clip. you must compress the spring to do this. Most shocks do not have this feature.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Some few shocks (mostly Konis) have an adjustment up on the top. It's for rebound damping, I think, though it might be compression damping.

Most shocks don't have this feature, even most Konis are adjusted by collapsing them all the way and turning. Thought the gas-filled ones don't take well to being bottomed out like that...

--DD

nutzforporsche · 10-24-2002, 03:59 AM

Thank you guys for the info. I learned lastnight that if the car is jacked up and the arms allowed to extend that the little knob at the top most certainly is a damper adjustment. I tried several turns in different directions and I noticed that it would sort of like increase or decrease the rebound pressure that it would take. Ok I found something else to fiddle with! I wonder if I can get a set with these adjusters to fit the Mrs hee hee. Back to reality I'm married for petes sake, we don't do that anymore lol. Anyways I'm certainly glad to know what they do, maybe now I can get some more defined handling in the curves.

Brad Roberts · 10-24-2002, 07:36 PM

That's a major score for you.

Adjustable Koni's are EXPENSIVE.

B

chrisreale · 10-24-2002, 08:02 PM

Dave or Brad or someone-
When you say that Koni's are adjusted by colapsing them, what reasons should they be adjusted? My new Koni sports are just as long as the KYB's thjey are replacing.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Some of them (NOT the ones with the tab up top for the knob!) you can change the compression or rebound damping (again, I forget which) by pushing the rod all the way into the tube, and then turning it.

Generally you don't do this, unless you really really have to adjust the handling of your car. And in that case, you're much better off spending the money and getting the externally-adjustable Konis. Because it's a huge pain in the butt to have to take the strut apart just to adjust the stiffness of the shock.

--DD