Springs work with the suspension system to help control the bumps of the road. Like any other element of the vehicle, however, they can wear out over time, and a car with old springs will definitely drive less smoothly than one with new coil springs. Removing front coil springs isn't technically difficult, but it can be very dangerous if not undertaken properly. Only experienced mechanics should attempt to remove front coil springs.
Instructions
1. Set a floor jack beneath the front suspension and boost the car about 1 foot off the ground. A hydraulic lift in a professional mechanic's shop works even better than floor jacks, if you have access to one.
2. Place a pair of floor jacks beneath the frame rails and slowly lower the vehicle onto them until the springs are fully supported. This step is only recommended for experienced mechanics and can be skipped if necessary.
3. Remove the lug nuts from one of the front tires with a wrench--setting them aside somewhere safe so that you can keep track of them--and take the wheel off the tire.
4. Carefully unbolt and remove the shocks if necessary. Use a ratchet or a wrench to disconnect the bolts and slide them off the assembly. Keep track of the bolts and washers when you do so, so that you can replace them later.
5. Insert a coil spring compressor into the spring and tighten it into place. Technically, the compressor serves the same purpose as the jacks in Step 2. However, springs can be extremely dangerous if not handled carefully. The redundancy of jack and compressor provides an extra level of safety for the mechanic
6. Detach the coil from the remainder of the apparatus. Specifics will vary by make and model of the vehicle, but in most cases you'll need to remove the lower nut and washer with a torque wrench, move the axle carefully away from the spring, and then disconnect the top of the spring by either unscrewing the upper coil end or detaching the retaining clip holding it in place. Consult your owner's manual for the exact layout of your vehicle.
7. Set the new spring in its mount, using a hammer or crowbar if necessary. Reconnect the retaining clip or top bolt and tighten it into place with a wrench or screw. Then reconnect the lower nut and washer with a wrench, making sure that all components are tight.
8. Reconnect the shock absorbers, then return the wheel to its position and tighten the lug nuts. Check to ensure that the bolts and fasteners are in place and have the proper torque before proceeding.
9. Repeat the process on the remaining tire.
10. Raise the car again, remove the floor jacks, and then slowly lower the car to the ground.
Tags: coil springs, floor jacks, experienced mechanics, front coil, front coil springs, into place, lower washer
