Do it yourself swap? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

burgy240 · 11-14-2001, 01:10 PM

How hard is it to replace shocks/struts and springs in an s14?  Can I do it myself and what hardware will I need?  Anything else that may help.....I saw someone posting about a spray that makes it easier to loosen bolts ie things of that nature.

TRM02 · 11-14-2001, 01:16 PM

I have never done a swap on a 240 but I have done them on VWs and hondas and as long as you have the tools its very easy...If you have air tools that make the job even more easier.  you might need a blow torch to heat up some sturben bolts.   The sparys never work for me like WD40.

wherezmytofu · 11-14-2001, 01:30 PM

be very very careful when u swap out your oem strut/springs....many pplz have been killed by the loaded spring hitting them.....but the spring clamp if you want to do it your self....or...use a dremal or cutting tool to cut the spring before you unbolt it . yes im serious!

chickenmanq · 11-14-2001, 01:40 PM

Mwah ha ha ha ha!  Get some nitroglycerin, a blowtorch, and some thermite.  Mix accordingly, heeh e e ee e e eeeeeeeee!  Sorry, just in a bit of a dark crazy mood today.  Thinking of wrapping my roomates in duct tape and kicking them down a flight of stairs.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

*transient* · 11-14-2001, 01:51 PM

LOL, that's funny. wherezmytofu is right though, I was going to do my suspension myself, then I had a mental picture of me with a broken arm from a spring coming loose. Not a pretty thought....

*drifterx* · 11-14-2001, 02:01 PM

come on guys, no one told u to unload the spring so fast.... loosen it to the top.....each one slowly... then it should not explode on u....... geez..........

u should be careful if it is your first time... and it is easier with the air gun so even if the spring pops, u have the gun to shield your flush.....
and it is much easier installing with the gun

crazycuban · 11-14-2001, 04:08 PM

you don't need the air gun - tapping a wrench with a hammer will do fine.  DEFINATELY get a spring compressor though.  the security it gives you is worth the 40 or so bucks, or even better, borrow one from a friend.  you may not get hurt by a flying spring, but then again, its very possible.

11-14-2001, 04:11 PM

If you are running stock springs and it is compressed, which it should be. USE A SPRING COMPRESSOR, I cannot stress that enough, Loosening it slowly might work, however I doubt it. It's very important to do that safely, I've seen someone try it before without one, and the spring shot above their house (close to 2 stories). Spring compressors are cheap, and make the job easier, plus a whole lot safer.

wherezmytofu · 11-14-2001, 08:15 PM

i dont know about the stock 240sx springs but slowly losening any honda springs wont do shit...the stock spring is past twice it's high when it's on the car...u have 2 get a spring compressior.....or be made of steal

BlankFlip · 11-14-2001, 08:21 PM

shops usually don't charge that much for it neway. but i guess it would be nice to do it yourself for future times n what not.

11-15-2001, 01:05 AM

ahhh just get superman to hold the springs together while you unbolt it...i think it's kool to see the spring jump out like that..i'd much prefer that then a gun...hahhaha

HippoSleek · 11-15-2001, 09:08 AM

Actually, you can rent/borrow a spring compressor from most parts stores.  It is worth using, but realize that you only need to neutralize the spring so it won't shoot off - not really compress it.  I say this b/c those things take forever to work.  

When you are reassembling, spend the $$ for new top mount rubber and nuts for the top - its a worth while investement.  Also, if you are using lowering springs, you will not need the spring compressor to reinstall.

Good luck.

TRM02 · 11-15-2001, 09:14 AM

you should look into getting a spring compessor...I know shops like Trak Auto will rent out them for $40 as a depost and this will be returned to you when you return the compessors. make the job ez and safe.

(Edited by TRM02 at 9:14 am on Nov. 15, 2001)

burgy240 · 11-15-2001, 10:54 AM

Thank all!!!  A guy I know has a lift in his second garage so we may do it over there, or he may do it cheap for me one night.  thanks again though.

KoukiS14 · 11-16-2001, 07:12 PM

Yeah... Neutralize the spring... that reminds me, I saw a Japanese guy (can't remember where... some pics I think) but he was using a coathanger... worked well =)

-Rob

jupiterl · 11-18-2001, 09:05 PM

I put on the GAB EVO2 coilovers myself, didn't have any problem at all. I never take apart the springs and shocks on the 240sx, but I did on a Maxima SE. It seems dangerous, and if you just stand on the springs sideways and just let go the bolt slowly, it'll work. Just point the shocks to a person you want to hit it with !: )

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11-14-2001, 01:10 PM	#1
burgy240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tampa Age: 45 Posts: 2,151 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	How hard is it to replace shocks/struts and springs in an s14?  Can I do it myself and what hardware will I need?  Anything else that may help.....I saw someone posting about a spray that makes it easier to loosen bolts ie things of that nature.

11-14-2001, 01:16 PM	#2
TRM02 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 166 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have never done a swap on a 240 but I have done them on VWs and hondas and as long as you have the tools its very easy...If you have air tools that make the job even more easier.  you might need a blow torch to heat up some sturben bolts.   The sparys never work for me like WD40.

11-14-2001, 01:30 PM	#3
wherezmytofu BANNED Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,873 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	be very very careful when u swap out your oem strut/springs....many pplz have been killed by the loaded spring hitting them.....but the spring clamp if you want to do it your self....or...use a dremal or cutting tool to cut the spring before you unbolt it . yes im serious!

11-14-2001, 01:40 PM	#4
chickenmanq Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,000 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mwah ha ha ha ha!  Get some nitroglycerin, a blowtorch, and some thermite.  Mix accordingly, heeh e e ee e e eeeeeeeee!  Sorry, just in a bit of a dark crazy mood today.  Thinking of wrapping my roomates in duct tape and kicking them down a flight of stairs.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

11-14-2001, 01:51 PM	#5
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	LOL, that's funny. wherezmytofu is right though, I was going to do my suspension myself, then I had a mental picture of me with a broken arm from a spring coming loose. Not a pretty thought....

11-14-2001, 02:01 PM	#6
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 40 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	come on guys, no one told u to unload the spring so fast.... loosen it to the top.....each one slowly... then it should not explode on u....... geez.......... u should be careful if it is your first time... and it is easier with the air gun so even if the spring pops, u have the gun to shield your flush..... and it is much easier installing with the gun

11-14-2001, 04:08 PM	#7
crazycuban Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 526 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you don't need the air gun - tapping a wrench with a hammer will do fine.  DEFINATELY get a spring compressor though.  the security it gives you is worth the 40 or so bucks, or even better, borrow one from a friend.  you may not get hurt by a flying spring, but then again, its very possible.

11-14-2001, 04:11 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	If you are running stock springs and it is compressed, which it should be. USE A SPRING COMPRESSOR, I cannot stress that enough, Loosening it slowly might work, however I doubt it. It's very important to do that safely, I've seen someone try it before without one, and the spring shot above their house (close to 2 stories). Spring compressors are cheap, and make the job easier, plus a whole lot safer.

11-14-2001, 08:15 PM	#9
wherezmytofu BANNED Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,873 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i dont know about the stock 240sx springs but slowly losening any honda springs wont do shit...the stock spring is past twice it's high when it's on the car...u have 2 get a spring compressior.....or be made of steal

11-14-2001, 08:21 PM	#10
BlankFlip Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Future Posts: 1,627 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	shops usually don't charge that much for it neway. but i guess it would be nice to do it yourself for future times n what not.

11-15-2001, 01:05 AM	#11
Guest Posts: n/a	ahhh just get superman to hold the springs together while you unbolt it...i think it's kool to see the spring jump out like that..i'd much prefer that then a gun...hahhaha

11-15-2001, 09:08 AM	#12
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually, you can rent/borrow a spring compressor from most parts stores.  It is worth using, but realize that you only need to neutralize the spring so it won't shoot off - not really compress it.  I say this b/c those things take forever to work.   When you are reassembling, spend the $$ for new top mount rubber and nuts for the top - its a worth while investement.  Also, if you are using lowering springs, you will not need the spring compressor to reinstall. Good luck.

11-15-2001, 09:14 AM	#13
TRM02 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 166 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you should look into getting a spring compessor...I know shops like Trak Auto will rent out them for $40 as a depost and this will be returned to you when you return the compessors. make the job ez and safe. (Edited by TRM02 at 9:14 am on Nov. 15, 2001)

11-15-2001, 10:54 AM	#14
burgy240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tampa Age: 45 Posts: 2,151 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Thank all!!!  A guy I know has a lift in his second garage so we may do it over there, or he may do it cheap for me one night.  thanks again though.

11-16-2001, 07:12 PM	#15
KoukiS14 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Indiana Age: 43 Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah... Neutralize the spring... that reminds me, I saw a Japanese guy (can't remember where... some pics I think) but he was using a coathanger... worked well =) -Rob

11-18-2001, 09:05 PM	#16
jupiterl Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Markham, Ontario Posts: 310 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I put on the GAB EVO2 coilovers myself, didn't have any problem at all. I never take apart the springs and shocks on the 240sx, but I did on a Maxima SE. It seems dangerous, and if you just stand on the springs sideways and just let go the bolt slowly, it'll work. Just point the shocks to a person you want to hit it with !: )