An appeal to anyone who had replaced suspension springs.

[martnin]

Can anyone decribe briefly how to replace the suspension springs? I am about to replace lowered springs with standard, and I just need to know how to go about it. I have the use of spring compessers, any other special tools needed? thanks....Martin

[bigdaddycain]

Sorry martnin, the garage did mine for me, but as a tip, try not to drop the nuts that hold the top of the shock absorber in, chances are it will hit the middle tray, and roll all the way to the back of the bongo, trapping itself between the bodywork! I found it 3 or 4 hours after dropping it!

[andya]

Hi Martin,
if you are interested i will help you do it in exchange for the lowered springs,
i am near East Grinsted, should take about 2-3 hours if all goes well,
Andy.

[martnin]

Thanks Andy, but the lowered springs already have been sold.

[cheffy34]

Did mine with it up on axle stands, i used a second jack to support, raise and lowering the rear axle/front wishbones etc Spring clamps are a must rears took about 30 mins a side, fronts aren't so easy i was lucky got the front struts and shocks together so was a matter of dropping the whole lot down in one and replacing not so sure you don't need a special clamp and compressor for fronts to stop the shock turning around but don't quote me on that it would certainly make life easier my best input would be to buy a long heavy impact bar those nut have been on a long time, plenty of wd40 nite before aswell and don't forget the gentle pursuader

[cheffy34]

Wether it the right way or the wrong way it worked for me sorry forget the disclaimer

[martnin]

Cheffy 34, thank you for that. Very useful.....Martin

[dandywarhol]

A wee tip Martin - don't finally tighten the pivot bolts (front or rear) until the full body weight is on the floor - or jack up the suspension til the wheels reach their natural height in the arches. It's important to do that to avoid the metalastic bushes in the suspension arms failing prematurely by shearing. Some of the bushes are void bushes like in the pic (rather than a Bush to be avoided - Kinda topical eh?? )

[bigdaddycain]

Some of the bushes are void bushes like in the pic (rather than a Bush to be avoided - Kinda topical eh?? )

[cheffy34]

A wee tip Martin - don't finally tighten the pivot bolts (front or rear) until the full body weight is on the floor - or jack up the suspension til the wheels reach their natural height in the arches. It's important to do that to avoid the metalastic bushes in the suspension arms failing prematurely by shearing. Some of the bushes are void bushes like in the pic (rather than a Bush to be avoided - Kinda topical eh?? )

AH HA

Where were you when i needed you dandy strangely enough i had to replace my rears for the mot 6 months later but they weren't the best to begin with anyway as i remembered

[martnin]

Won't have to put up with him for much longer.........

[dandywarhol]

Where did you get the new bushes from cheffy??

[cheffy34]

Bongo bits dandy but i think were talking different bushes sorrry i meant droplinks and anti rollbar bushes n brackets

[alphabetter]

Where did you get the new bushes from cheffy??

They breed them in Texas <shudder>