Springs

[birdy_z4]

Car been in for mot and failed on rear broken spring

Grrrr

So was thinking how hard is it to change the springs front and rear and what tool to compress the springs have you used

 

[bigwinn]

Rear is pretty easy- no compressors needed

Fronts are more challenging needing compressors

 

[Rucky]

Agree Rears just slip in.
The front springs are barrel shapped and regular spring compressors can slip off.
I held the strut in a vice and used 2 compressors and a g cramp.
If you dont have a good workshop find a local shop with a hydrauic compressor to do the fronts and you wont lose any fingers or face.

 

[john-e89]

There’s a lot of spring travel on these E89’s fronts, you have to wind them down a lot to get them off the strut, so a LOT of tension on the compressors. It’s diy’able for sure but if you have any doubts about what you’re doing, I’m not saying you do, just if, then as Rucky says take it somewhere and let them do it, if the spring slips under that much tension you can properly hurt yourself. As I do all my own repairs/maintenance I bought a foot operated spring compressor with a cage round it as I simply don’t trust the small threaded ones enough under that much tension, they won’t break but if they slip it’s game over, not worth it for a job you don’t do very often. Imho of course.

 

[birdy_z4]

Rear is pretty easy- no compressors needed

Fronts are more challenging needing compressors

Thanks make of springs have you fitted before as I’m being told by the Indi the oem don’t fit well and to use bmw

 

[bigwinn]

Usually decent quality second hand ones- put a wanted ad up on here?

 

[B21]

Rear is pretty easy- no compressors needed

Fronts are more challenging needing compressors

Thanks make of springs have you fitted before as I’m being told by the Indi the oem don’t fit well and to use bmw

Has he tried Bilstein, Supplex, Eibach ?

 

[flybobbie]

Rear barrel springs come off easy. The front are normal springs. Simple cheapo spring compressors do the job. Whilst you got them off i would replace the top mount bearing the shock bolts to. I had one worn out, wheel rocked slightly.

 

[birdy_z4]

Rear barrel springs come off easy. The front are normal springs. Simple cheapo spring compressors do the job. Whilst you got them off i would replace the top mount bearing the shock bolts to. I had one worn out, wheel rocked slightly.

Do you need the spring compressors for the rear ?