Joined
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10,260 Posts
picked up a set of almost new 550# front springs and Bilstein shocks from a forum member 
cheers to replace the stock (non F41) springs and KYB Gas-a-Justs I put in last fall. It cruised pretty nicely, but had too much cadillac float and not enough sportscar punch. Was also more than happy to drop the ride height about an inch.
before:
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after:
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new and old:
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Having removed and installed the old springs once already I knew that using a spring compression tool was a PITA. Got the damn thing stuck up in there after I had the lower control arm all bolted on. :bang This time I got smart and used a trick I had heard of here on the forum. Got some 5/8" all-thread, a few washers, a few nuts, and a sturdy steel plate.
drill a 5/8" hole through the middle of the plate, remove the shock, put the all-thread through the shock mounts, and thread the nuts on. From there it's easy to put your floor jack under the cross shaft of the lower control arm to lower it out or lift it into place. This little trick gives you a lot more control over all that energy stored in a compressed spring. It was also a lot easier to install the new springs since they're about 5" shorter!
top end:
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underneath (sorry it's sideways):
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after driving a few miles with the new setup I'm very happy with it. I was afraid it was going to be a drastic change and my kidneys would hurt every time I hit a bump. Not the case at all! It's still very comfortable, but more controlled and not as floaty. Makes me anxious to get my new Bilsteins for the rear though. Starting to think that 330# rear leaf was a little light...
cheers to replace the stock (non F41) springs and KYB Gas-a-Justs I put in last fall. It cruised pretty nicely, but had too much cadillac float and not enough sportscar punch. Was also more than happy to drop the ride height about an inch.before:
after:
new and old:
Having removed and installed the old springs once already I knew that using a spring compression tool was a PITA. Got the damn thing stuck up in there after I had the lower control arm all bolted on. :bang This time I got smart and used a trick I had heard of here on the forum. Got some 5/8" all-thread, a few washers, a few nuts, and a sturdy steel plate.
drill a 5/8" hole through the middle of the plate, remove the shock, put the all-thread through the shock mounts, and thread the nuts on. From there it's easy to put your floor jack under the cross shaft of the lower control arm to lower it out or lift it into place. This little trick gives you a lot more control over all that energy stored in a compressed spring. It was also a lot easier to install the new springs since they're about 5" shorter!
top end:
underneath (sorry it's sideways):
after driving a few miles with the new setup I'm very happy with it. I was afraid it was going to be a drastic change and my kidneys would hurt every time I hit a bump. Not the case at all! It's still very comfortable, but more controlled and not as floaty. Makes me anxious to get my new Bilsteins for the rear though. Starting to think that 330# rear leaf was a little light...
