5100 install at home

can it be done without the tool that compresses the spring
im hopeing at full droop the spring wont have much pressure

 

when you say full droop you mean setting them to "0"??

i would think that YES no matter what you're gonna need a spring compressor (you can rent them)

 

You need a spring compressor.

 

^^^^^^^

 

not unless your strong enough to monkey paw them off

 

ok will rent tool
thanks

 

Air tools help as well. Racheting the spring compressor by hand is a massive pain in the ass.

 

i just put them on and yes you do need a compressor. I suggest getting at least 3 of them. One for each side and an extra just in case. Its a pain in the ass. The impact driver could only do so much, so for the rest of the compressing i used a huge breaker bar. The breaker bar was much faster at compressing. It took about 2 hours to do mine. Have fun and be careful.

 

Why would you need 3 spring compressors? You only replace one shock at a time.

Unless you have a group of about 4 people helping you.

Also, sounds like you need a stronger impact gun.

 

He is prolly talking about the gheyy spring compressors that may break. So he suggest 3. Two on the spring and one extra incase one breaks. You always want at least 2 spring compressors on the spring incase one fails.

 

Yep agreed. I powerful 1/2" impact gun makes quick work of compressing and de-compressing the springs with the compressor. also lubing the threads of the compressor up helps it compress a little smoother.

I have these spring compressors and used them on numerous occasions for years without any hint of failure.

 

Good luck!!!

 

Yeah you will definitely need those compressors. Like these other guys said even though its a pain 3 would be better on each spring. I did mine in the walmart parking lot with rented ACE compressors. 2 compressors on these springs was pretty sketchy to say the least as they started flexing in towards the spring. Anyway its a really fun and easy install me and a buddy did it in about 3 hours on my college kid budget

 

The key with using two compressors is the not tighten too much at a time on either side. Alternate tightening and make sure they are placed exactly opposite of each other. Also make sure you alternate which direction they are, for mine (pictured above) I put the dual claw on the top of one side and the dual claw of the other on the bottom of the other side. Gives me a nice even/balanced force applied to either side

 

Just use two and use a safety cable (similar to ones used on garage doors) and do NOT point towards yourself! This really should only be done by an experianced tech in my honest opinion

 

You MUST use a spring compressor and an impact gun will make the job a lot easier when compressing the springs. Any impact gun that is half way worth a shit will get the job done without a problem, contrary to a post above.

 

just put mine on, i took the springs to pepboys for 40 bucks they switched them in 15 min! plus i did all four by myself for the most part.

 

I just re-read your post and I misunderstood originally. I thought you meant he should get 3 SETS (of 2) spring compressors. I had pictured spring compressors all over the place!

 

How much did they charge you??

EDIT: oops I see now $40 I'm blind sorry

 

Ohhh gotcha. I could see how you read that wrong.