where can i get my springs installed?

8ATM4NX · 06-16-2009, 11:37 PM

i went to a local suspenision shop and they told me they would charge me 289...100 for each axle and another 89 more to aligne them.....
are they over doing it or is it just me?
i was wondering how u guys got your springs installed?
i mean for lowering springs all u need is the springs right?
do you need anything else?
cuz the ppl told me if i had the kit....what did they mean by that?

palos · 06-17-2009, 12:04 AM

Basically, to install new springs, the following must be done: remove tires; remove the strut assembly from the spindle and upper mounts; compress the springs; remove the top hat (assembly) and then the reverse; plus a new alignment.

If you are mechanically inclined, the work is not difficult (though probably time consuming for the first corner). You will need to buy or rent a spring compressor. Locally they can be rented for $10. Alignments can vary greatly in cost, once again locally from $45 to $150. A shop with the latest, greatest equipment may not provide the better alignment. Ask whether they simply follow the manufacturers settings and set the alignment within the plus/minus settings, or will set to your specifications. The factory specifications may not necessarily apply to the condition of your roads.

8ATM4NX · 06-17-2009, 01:28 AM

what are the alignements for? in orderfor it not to be uneven?

MR2 Drifter · 06-17-2009, 01:32 AM

U need an alignment or ur tires are going to sit unevenly on the ground, and when there uneven your tires will wear out faster then average, if u have a daily driver and some mechanical know how then u can do it urself, or else make some mechanic friends like me and they usually help out

Davis · 06-17-2009, 01:33 AM

PM Masagsxr, he's in Norwalk and can install the springs for ya, don't know what his going rate is right now.

honda_bar · 06-17-2009, 01:45 AM

yeah, Masagsxr installed mine

masagsxr · 06-17-2009, 03:26 AM

Awweee... Thanks for the referral (Davis / Colin)

PM sent

randomxzero · 06-17-2009, 04:16 AM

^^ He is LEGIT!

TreyMR2 · 06-17-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8ATM4NX

i went to a local suspenision shop and they told me they would charge me 289...100 for each axle and another 89 more to aligne them.....
are they over doing it or is it just me?
i was wondering how u guys got your springs installed?
i mean for lowering springs all u need is the springs right?
do you need anything else?
cuz the ppl told me if i had the kit....what did they mean by that?

Lol I didn't read the rest of your thread but thats exactly what we charge at toyota. I think its a tad high too. Lol Its 1.3hours anytime we use the spring compressor. Thats $100 each. And like 1.5 hours for an alignment. Thats all at $79/hr. If you where local I'd compress em both and then all you gotta do is install them for like $20-$40. Just however long it actually takes me at what I get paid hourly. The hour estimates at most shops are set very high so the mechanic can make money for being fast. I got 17.5 hours worth of work monday in a 9 hour day.

Davis · 06-17-2009, 10:12 PM

Way to go Trey! Getting all that gravy.

But yeah dude take it to Mark (Masagsxr). He's a stand up guy and won't short cut anything. Quality work for sure!

8ATM4NX · 06-18-2009, 10:54 PM

ALRIGHT THANX GUYS

masagsxr · 06-18-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreyMR2

Lol I didn't read the rest of your thread but thats exactly what we charge at toyota. I think its a tad high too. Lol Its 1.3hours anytime we use the spring compressor. Thats $100 each. And like 1.5 hours for an alignment. Thats all at $79/hr. If you where local I'd compress em both and then all you gotta do is install them for like $20-$40. Just however long it actually takes me at what I get paid hourly. The hour estimates at most shops are set very high so the mechanic can make money for being fast. I got 17.5 hours worth of work monday in a 9 hour day.

+1.... People for some reason seems to think that its easy and should not cost that much. I admit that it is an easy job "if" you have the right tools. Its really the investment on tools that they are paying for and it cuts the work in half rather than not having the right tools and figuring out how to take the parts off and put it back together.

If you are to do that yourself, make sure move your face away from the spring coz that will cost you a fortune in surgery

... I've also heard stories of how some people broke their fingers...

Thanks for the nice comment Davis!!!

Sh0ty · 06-19-2009, 12:53 AM

If you go to autozone, you buy the compressor and return it for a full refund when you're done. That's their "loan a tool" program. It's what I did and it was great. Also, as far as lowering springs and dependent parts are concerned, it's generally a good idea to do the strut inserts at the same time, depending on the drop. Few struts will support a drop of 1 inch or higher, except Koni (that I know of). Also, while the springs are off, you might want to consider replacing your strut boots and bumpstops (one part) if they've been shredded over time.

The job is pretty simple as long as you have a ratchet, metric set up to 19mm, breaker bar and a torque wrench (and the spring compressors, obviously). Remove the wheel, remove the brake line (clip holds it to the strut body), remove the drop link (5mm allen wrench and 14mm box end wrench) and the knuckle bolts (19mm socket) and then the strut tower bolts (loosen them when the car is on the ground, 14mm for the strut mount bolts, 19mm for the strut center bolt) and then that removes the strut. There are pictorial write ups in the brake/suspension part of the forum.

TreyMR2 · 06-21-2009, 11:30 AM

The only thing I would add to that ^ is use an impact to put the strut back together. Hell use an impact to do the whole job other than removing the sway bar actually. Lol Saves a crazy amount of time.

Sh0ty · 06-21-2009, 12:45 PM

Removing the sway bar? You mean droplinks? You don't need to remove the sway bar to replace the struts.

mr.asian.m2 · 06-21-2009, 01:37 PM

+1 take it to mixxer. he work for games and girls. wait..or is that for davis? lol

masagsxr · 06-21-2009, 01:58 PM

^Thanks Frankie!!! Thats Davis but hhmmmmm maybe i can work that out too LoL

Shoty: Yeah, the drop links. Way easier to unbolt those suckers when you have an impact..... I dont have much but I've invested a lot on necessary tools like a 30gal air compress, 1000ft lb IR impact gun and the one below that I bought years back for $500 when my brother and I used have our own little garage selling car parts/accessories, engine components, coilovers etc... Too bad it didn't work out for us

Yup, this is what I have in my garage

Good luck using the Autozone rental tools

.... They are good if you are on a really tight budget but the work will put a toll on you.

Oh yeah, those rental tools are free but you need to leave a deposit of how much they cost "Retail price". Then they will give you a full refund.

mr29180 · 06-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Dude if ur goin to change ur spring u need to change the shocks too...it's allot better caz ur der already...

masagsxr · 06-21-2009, 02:18 PM

Exactly what I did when I changed mine... Do it all at the same time. These are 20+ year old cars afterall.

8ATM4NX · 06-21-2009, 04:33 PM

so i should change shocks as well?
where can i get shocks? is there any brand that you guys recomend?

06-16-2009, 11:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
8ATM4NX Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Van Nuys Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	where can i get my springs installed? i went to a local suspenision shop and they told me they would charge me 289...100 for each axle and another 89 more to aligne them..... are they over doing it or is it just me? i was wondering how u guys got your springs installed? i mean for lowering springs all u need is the springs right? do you need anything else? cuz the ppl told me if i had the kit....what did they mean by that?

06-21-2009, 01:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
masagsxr Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 3,180 Thanks: 1 Thanked 76 Times in 76 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	^Thanks Frankie!!! Thats Davis but hhmmmmm maybe i can work that out too LoL Shoty: Yeah, the drop links. Way easier to unbolt those suckers when you have an impact..... I dont have much but I've invested a lot on necessary tools like a 30gal air compress, 1000ft lb IR impact gun and the one below that I bought years back for $500 when my brother and I used have our own little garage selling car parts/accessories, engine components, coilovers etc... Too bad it didn't work out for us Yup, this is what I have in my garage Good luck using the Autozone rental tools .... They are good if you are on a really tight budget but the work will put a toll on you. Oh yeah, those rental tools are free but you need to leave a deposit of how much they cost "Retail price". Then they will give you a full refund. Last edited by masagsxr; 06-21-2009 at 02:03 PM.

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06-17-2009, 12:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
palos … Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Basically, to install new springs, the following must be done: remove tires; remove the strut assembly from the spindle and upper mounts; compress the springs; remove the top hat (assembly) and then the reverse; plus a new alignment. If you are mechanically inclined, the work is not difficult (though probably time consuming for the first corner). You will need to buy or rent a spring compressor. Locally they can be rented for $10. Alignments can vary greatly in cost, once again locally from $45 to $150. A shop with the latest, greatest equipment may not provide the better alignment. Ask whether they simply follow the manufacturers settings and set the alignment within the plus/minus settings, or will set to your specifications. The factory specifications may not necessarily apply to the condition of your roads.

06-17-2009, 01:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
8ATM4NX Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Van Nuys Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	what are the alignements for? in orderfor it not to be uneven?

06-17-2009, 01:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 956 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	U need an alignment or ur tires are going to sit unevenly on the ground, and when there uneven your tires will wear out faster then average, if u have a daily driver and some mechanical know how then u can do it urself, or else make some mechanic friends like me and they usually help out

06-17-2009, 01:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Davis Radical Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 3,728 Thanks: 84 Thanked 104 Times in 95 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	PM Masagsxr, he's in Norwalk and can install the springs for ya, don't know what his going rate is right now.

06-17-2009, 01:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
honda_bar aka Hardtop Colin Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 1,288 Thanks: 37 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	yeah, Masagsxr installed mine

06-17-2009, 03:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
masagsxr Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 3,180 Thanks: 1 Thanked 76 Times in 76 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Awweee... Thanks for the referral (Davis / Colin) PM sent

06-17-2009, 04:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
randomxzero Downshift to Reverse! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 562 Posts: 1,012 Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	^^ He is LEGIT!

06-17-2009, 10:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Davis Radical Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 3,728 Thanks: 84 Thanked 104 Times in 95 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	Way to go Trey! Getting all that gravy. But yeah dude take it to Mark (Masagsxr). He's a stand up guy and won't short cut anything. Quality work for sure!

06-18-2009, 10:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
8ATM4NX Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Van Nuys Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ALRIGHT THANX GUYS

06-19-2009, 12:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
Sh0ty Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 343 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	If you go to autozone, you buy the compressor and return it for a full refund when you're done. That's their "loan a tool" program. It's what I did and it was great. Also, as far as lowering springs and dependent parts are concerned, it's generally a good idea to do the strut inserts at the same time, depending on the drop. Few struts will support a drop of 1 inch or higher, except Koni (that I know of). Also, while the springs are off, you might want to consider replacing your strut boots and bumpstops (one part) if they've been shredded over time. The job is pretty simple as long as you have a ratchet, metric set up to 19mm, breaker bar and a torque wrench (and the spring compressors, obviously). Remove the wheel, remove the brake line (clip holds it to the strut body), remove the drop link (5mm allen wrench and 14mm box end wrench) and the knuckle bolts (19mm socket) and then the strut tower bolts (loosen them when the car is on the ground, 14mm for the strut mount bolts, 19mm for the strut center bolt) and then that removes the strut. There are pictorial write ups in the brake/suspension part of the forum.

06-21-2009, 11:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
TreyMR2 Gen3 swap DONE!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,513 Thanks: 30 Thanked 60 Times in 58 Posts iTrader Rating: (10/100% )	The only thing I would add to that ^ is use an impact to put the strut back together. Hell use an impact to do the whole job other than removing the sway bar actually. Lol Saves a crazy amount of time.

06-21-2009, 12:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Sh0ty Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 343 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Removing the sway bar? You mean droplinks? You don't need to remove the sway bar to replace the struts.

06-21-2009, 01:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
mr.asian.m2 SoCal/houston's mr2 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 1,256 Thanks: 20 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	+1 take it to mixxer. he work for games and girls. wait..or is that for davis? lol

06-21-2009, 02:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
mr29180 Cage fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Frisco (bay area) Posts: 852 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Dude if ur goin to change ur spring u need to change the shocks too...it's allot better caz ur der already...

06-21-2009, 02:18 PM	#19 (permalink)
masagsxr Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 3,180 Thanks: 1 Thanked 76 Times in 76 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Exactly what I did when I changed mine... Do it all at the same time. These are 20+ year old cars afterall.

06-21-2009, 04:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
8ATM4NX Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Van Nuys Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	so i should change shocks as well? where can i get shocks? is there any brand that you guys recomend?