Well finally after three weeks I have my bilstein front shocks on. What a pain! The drivers side wasn't to bad, just needed a new upper mount. The passenger side was horrible. I couldn't get the insulator off and partsamerica ended up sending me the wrong side, even though the box side the right part number.....and in between all that one of my spring compressors came off while I was working on it and hit me between my fingers. Needless to say I was done working on the car for awhile since my hand was as big as a grapefruit, but no broken bones and the right parts later, it went in like a breeze :rolleyes:
2000GTP
03-23-2006, 05:26 PM
Those spring compressors can become dangerous really quick.:(
Dave K
03-24-2006, 11:02 AM
I won't ever use a spring compressor on my Z again... just too much stored energy there.
I did the springs on my wife's outback last year... much easier job than the Z.
I was the worst feeling I have ever felt.....Once the spring hit my hand it was almost like I could the vibration of the spring through my whole body. There wasn't to much pain but I couldn't stop shaking for like 10 minutes. Luckily it didn't do any real damage to my hand, even though it is still black and blue and a little swollen. I just hope changing the fronts on my moms stratus is easier than this was.
Yikes.. sorry to hear about your hand! Did the spring compressor have a pin to prevent the coil from accidently jumping out of the jaw?
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mds-sg62900_w.jpg
That is the one that I used. I still don't understand how it came off. I had to fight to get it off the spring when it was decompressed. I'm just greatful the other side didn't come off too.
lbrowne
03-24-2006, 02:28 PM
I have those and theres a reason why mechanics call them widow makers.
Now I always just remove my strut assembly and take my new shocks to the local mechanics shop and have them swap em over. Then go back and place them on my car. Most times they charge no more than 1/2 labour - and I've even scored some places who did it for free.
Injuneer
03-24-2006, 04:43 PM
No way this one can slip off....
http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/images/Photos/shk02.jpg
where did you get yours from Injuneer? I would much rather use those than the ones I have now...even though I hope I don't have to change my fronts again.