So me and a friend decided to install my pro kit tonight because we were told it wasnt hard at all and didnt need a spring compressor. We started with the back figuring those would be the hardest. The trouble we are having is tightening the top bolt down on the top of the rod. The rod just keeps spinning. I called a shop and they said there should be a hex key to place in so you can turn. This is the case on the front but the back is the complete opposite. It is turning into a nightmare. The top smooth peice snapped off from where we were clamping to tighten it. Its on but kind of shotty. We are on the other one now and hoping we have them on correctly. the smaller compressed part should be at the top in the back, correct? On the one the eibach symbol is facing up but this one it has to face down. I didnt know if that mattered since they werent labeled. I know I am going to catch a lot of heat from not knowing what I am doing but i figured this is the only way to learn. ANY help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance
find a piece of rubber rap it around the shaft as high as possible and use vise grips to hold the shaft the rubber will grip and prevent the shaft from spinning and being damaged with the vise grips i did that and had no issues
JBO since July 30, 2001
no spring compressor = stupid
I had to make a tool that held the bigger nut that is attached to the rod and makes it spin, it was basically a deep well socket with a handle welded to it. then you take a extension and attach the smaller socket to it, so it sits inside the deepwell.
worked first time.
sucks you started before fully reading what was needed and how it was done.
Autozone has a o2 sensor socket that fits perfect on that top nut and then you can fit an allen wrench to hold the shaft from spinning on you. I think it was like 11 or 12 bucks..
I ended up renting the spring compressor from autozone. I turned into an all night job. I know this is stupid but the guy that sold me the kit who "owned" a cavalier said you had to use the stock bolts. Totally not true, I had to get all new hardware. Its jacked for now but now that I have the right equipment and the knowledge its not that bad. Cost me a lot of time but I actually feel like I know my way around my car a little better being a beginner.
Thanks for the help guys!
ive put STOCK springs back on the struts without spring compressors... so why you couldnt manage to shorter ones on without any compressors is beyond me.
next time use an impact. makes real light work of everything.
I'm tired of wasting my time... now I'm breakin' free.
^^^^ what he said
JBO since July 30, 2001
you think it would hurt to re thread the stock strut that was damaged by trying to use the stock nut? Or am I better off replacing the strut with the correct hardware?
