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  #1  
Old 07-09-2002, 01:37 PM
drbrandini's Avatar
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Wrightsville Beach NC
Posts: 1,512
Talking H&R, Bistein Sport, Suspension install !!

Can anyone give me an actual chronological breakdown of the steps needed for installing my H&R springs and new bilstein sports? I have searched the archives as well as my CD's. Nothing seems to give a complete instructional. I have the text-book-like shcematics but I am lacking actual personal experiences!

Thanks for your help,

P.S. not to pat myself on the back, but I am by no means a novice DIY'er! But I am a novice at installing springs. I know the risk involved and the importance of the proper spring compressor.

I like to have complete step-by-step istructions before I start a project.

Thanks again

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Old 07-09-2002, 02:46 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 838
To save yourself a major headache...

Have an undercarriage shop replace your springs. It really is not worth the hassle unless you have the proper MB "plate" compressor to remove them. www.************************ rents this tool out for $85 plus a $500 deposit I think. Considering their crappy shipping times and this expense, this job in my opinion is better left to someone else.

As far as installing the Bilsteins go, this is a piece of cake. Do a search and you'll find a wealth of knowledge on this subject. Using a jackstand in conjunction with the car jack, you can replace the front struts without having to remove the springs.

Good luck!

~Paul

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  #3  
Old 07-09-2002, 03:00 PM
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yal yal is offline
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York, Long Island
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Scotty has a description of the shock install on his 190E, which is very similar. Go to his Tech-4. The springs are an easy process if you have a spring compressor

http://www.scotty-c.com
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  #4  
Old 07-09-2002, 05:50 PM
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Location: Mass
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At least for the front, I found that ordinary $10 bolt-type spring compressors are adequate if you are careful, and use the technique described below. Some say you can forgo spring compressors entirely with this technique, but this 'hybrid' method seems safer, and easy enough. I have not yet tackled the rear, so no comment.

This is a summary list of steps for the front:

1) Loosen wheel bolts (do one side at a time).

2) Lift car at center crossmember, tire 2-3 inches off of ground.

3) Place jack stand under control arm, as close to balljoint as possible, and lower entire weight of car onto stand.

4) Verify that jackstand is REALLY REALLY secure, and on solid level ground. Note that by placing jackstand under control arm, you are using the weight of the car to compress the spring.

5) Remove wheel, swaybar, disconnect steering arm(or seperate tie rod end), disconnect brake related wiring and remove caliper. Optionally, you can remove the caliper bracket and disk for better access.

6) Mark position of eccentric bolts- I used spraypaint. This will allow you to drive to the alignment shop safely when you are done. Loosen, but do not remove eccentric bolts.

7) Triple check that the jackstand is stable, and remove strut. You can do this because the weight of the car is compressing the spring. Remember to salvage the plastic bracket on the strut that secures the braking wires. Optionally, you could remove the hub at this time for better access, or if you intend to replace the balljoint anyways.

8) Place $10 bolt-type spring compressors on either side of spring. Get as much spring in them as possible, and tighten until snug. Do not bother compressing them- waste of effort.

9) Ok, now the fun part! Carefully jack up under the crossmember until the spring comes loose. Note that the el cheapo compressors make this state happen earlier than if you did not have them, and the possibility that the spring could fly as the control arm reaches a severe angle is reduced.

10) Installation (as they say) is the reverse of removal!

Notes:
1) This would be an ideal time to replace the balljoint and control arm bushings if needed.
2) Strut bump stops and splash guards are not included with the Bilsteins.

Good luck, be careful, and happy wrenching.

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Last edited by csnow; 07-10-2002 at 04:31 PM.
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