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Hermie
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Post subject: Finally getting to the springs...
 Posted: Sep 12, 2009 - 12:07 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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I read the service manual and saw that the spring swap isn't going to be hard, and that Auto Zone's loan-a-tool program is free, but you need to pay a fully refundable deposit.
So, probably tomorrow, I'm finally going to put in those Moog variable-rate cargo coils I got a while back. Definitely want to do that before the move to Oregon when Stickers will be loaded with my girlfriend and I and all of our stuff.
I decided to sell some of my stuff I don't really use much anymore to both get some money for the trip and lighten the load. Looks like my guitar amp is going to sell on Ebay. XD There's 20 pounds out of the load, and $80 in my pocket. |
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PerformanceWithEconomy
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 12, 2009 - 05:59 AM
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 1107
Location: South Suburbs of Chicago
Status: Offline
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Good luck on that and let us know how things go. I've got springs and struts sitting in boxes in my garage waiting to go. Sean
<
PS... Pay close attention when using a coil spring compressor. One mistake and you can have the coil launching into you or something else halfway across the room!!! You're WAY too young to lose all your teeth!!!  |
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92 White / Red 2.3 MTX 130K miles, 93 Cayman Green / Grey 2.3 MTX 140K miles, 94 White / Grey 2.3 MTX 196K miles, 94 Red / Grey 2.3 ATX 70K miles, SouthSide Chicago
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amc49
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 12, 2009 - 06:27 AM
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Active Member
Joined: Aug 07, 2009
Posts: 390
Status: Offline
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| Amen to that! Pulled the spring from a Javelin once, was concerned where it would go when I pried it loose with crowbar. Hid behind fender as much as possible, good thing too. That spring ended up 2 houses down, I was very happy it had not hit someone's car or other. Chalk that move up to stupid kid. Lotta power there........could kill you on a bad day. |
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 12, 2009 - 03:28 PM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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In other words, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, and follow them TO THE LETTER! Got it. XD I'll be working outside.
I haven't even taken my air rifle apart to give it a proper lube job because I don't have a spring compressor for it. (It's a spring-piston breakbarrel rifle.) |
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 01:16 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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GAH. I'm stuck- LITERALLY.
The bottom bolts on the strut WILL NOT COME OFF. Even with vise grips as tight as I can get them, they still slip. Even after WD40 and ten minutes, they still stick.
Any ideas? |
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jglen490
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 02:38 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 13, 2007
Posts: 517
Location: Montgomery AL
Status: Offline
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Need a better penetrating oil. Pblaster works well, or so they say. Sometimes judicious application of heat (be VERY careful!!), if you have torch.
EDIT: I'm sure someone will come along a suggest a long piece of pipe of the end of your wrench (extra leverage). Just watch your knuckles  ! |
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I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here.
=====================================
'92 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 3.3L - "Old Guy"
'94 Tempo GL 4-door, 2.3L, autotragic - "Bonz"
'97 Ranger 3.0L - "Abe"
'05 Dodge caravan, 3.3L - "George"
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 02:42 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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Thought about that, but I don't have a torch. I should probably look for a cheap Bernz-o-matic..
And I've never heard of Pblaster... I'll look it up. |
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jtzins
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 03:17 AM
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Blabbermouth
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 1254
Status: Offline
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| Vise grips?!? Don't goober everything up right away, beg, borrow, or buy some decent tools. |
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 03:30 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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| When all else failed, I turned to the vise, but even it failed... lol |
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PerformanceWithEconomy
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 04:23 AM
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 1107
Location: South Suburbs of Chicago
Status: Offline
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PB Blaster can typically be found at any nearby Autozone. Spray the area liberally, beat on it a bit to try and loosen things up / help the oil to penetrate into the threads and then let it sit a few minutes. Spray some more PB Blaster, beat on it a bit more, spray some more PB Blaster and then have at it. This time, use the right sized socket and a breaker bar!!!
If that doesn't work, break out the torch. Be EXTREMELY careful when using a torch around the fuel tank. It is quite possible to have small leaks that you're unaware of at the very top of the tank. You might not lose enough fuel through them to take notice, but that won't stop fumes from seeping up and out!!! Sean
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92 White / Red 2.3 MTX 130K miles, 93 Cayman Green / Grey 2.3 MTX 140K miles, 94 White / Grey 2.3 MTX 196K miles, 94 Red / Grey 2.3 ATX 70K miles, SouthSide Chicago
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 02:45 PM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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| The right-sized socket seems to be a 15mm, but that one is missing from the set... O_o |
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 13, 2009 - 06:35 PM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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UPDATE- WOO! The ATF/Acetone blend is MAGIC! The bottom bolt moved, but the top is still stuck. I'll give it a little more time to penetrate.
... Got the strut off, but now it's getting that top nut off. When I try to twist the nut, it rotates half of the strut. Is it safe to put pressure against that, or should I hold the other end with something while I twist?
It looks like it's an 8mm head, but my 8mm socket is missing... O_o
UPDATE 2: After thinking I broke something, then a few smaller mishaps later, I got the new left rear spring installed. Currently working on the right rear, waiting for the penetrating oil to do it's work.
UPDATE 3: Well, shoot, there goes the strut...
I was almost done putting the spring on the right rear strut, when I was turning it over to have more leverage to tighten the nut that holds the top mount in place, when it slipped out of my hand and hit the ground. Now, I can push the strut all the way in and it stays fully compressed.
Either they're extremely fragile, or this one was about to go anyway, because it only fell about a foot on one side, and the base was already on the ground.
Looks like I'm going to have to see how nice the people at my local Auto-Zone are. The money I need for the strut is currently being held by them as the deposit on the spring compressor loan. It's fully refunded upon return of the borrowed tool, but I need the spring compressor to put the spring on the strut. Hopefully they'll be fine with me putting the spring on in the store, then take the cost of the strut out of the $50 deposit for borrowing the tool.
Fun. -_-; |
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 08:03 PM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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Well, after all that trouble, the rear springs are in! I took Stickers around today, and there's a definite change in the feel, and for the better. The variable-rate springs have a softer "comfort zone", and a firmer section for cargo hauling. When driving normally, the comfort zone is smooth as silk- there's much less bumb coming from the rear now even on a poorly paved road. Cornering feels flatter, thanks to the stiffer section, and probably from the new Gabriel Ultra strut on the right rear. The left rear is still stock, but I'll replace that with a new strut when I can afford it.
It feels a lot more planted during acceleration, but since I don't have the front springs in yet, it still nose-dives when braking. The firmer section is especially noticeable going over speed bumps- As well as the new strut. The other ones are definitely wearing out, since they bounce 3-4 times before it settles. The right rear bounces only once.
All in all, those springs were well worth all the trouble. XD |
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PerformanceWithEconomy
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 16, 2009 - 12:23 AM
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 1107
Location: South Suburbs of Chicago
Status: Offline
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Which springs did you end up using for your car? I know you mentioned it before in another thread, but save me the trouble of looking, will ya? Sean
< |
_________________
92 White / Red 2.3 MTX 130K miles, 93 Cayman Green / Grey 2.3 MTX 140K miles, 94 White / Grey 2.3 MTX 196K miles, 94 Red / Grey 2.3 ATX 70K miles, SouthSide Chicago
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Hermie
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Post subject: RE: Finally getting to the springs...
Posted: Sep 16, 2009 - 05:16 AM
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Posting Freak
Joined: Jul 11, 2009
Posts: 723
Location: Lebanon, OR
Status: Offline
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