Removing Springs

[MANWHOR3]

I've picked up a set of stockos to use while my coilovers are being rebuilt. The tubber boot that covers the extending part of the shock is ripped.

Question:

1. i've got a spring compressor. Is it easy to tak ethe spring off? tell me anything i need to watch out for. I've heard nuts can go flying and shoot ya eye out.

2. How much, and where can i buy the boot from? looks like a $2 piece.

Cheers

[blind_elk]

If you've got the spring compressors, and you use them properly, nothing can "go flying". Just make sure you know the order that everything came off, so you can reassemble.

If these stockos are only temporary, then why worry about the boot. I think they are more than a $2 part. I don't run tyhem on mine, and I don't have any problems. If you really want them, I reckon Pedders or similar would have something to suit.

[Sydneykid]

I've picked up a set of stockos to use while my coilovers are being rebuilt. The tubber boot that covers the extending part of the shock is ripped.

Question:

1. i've got a spring compressor. Is it easy to tak ethe spring off? tell me anything i need to watch out for. I've heard nuts can go flying and shoot ya eye out.

2. How much, and where can i buy the boot from? looks like a $2 piece.

Cheers

The standard boot also includes the bump stop. This is very necessary as it stops the shock from bottoming out and destroying the valves

For protection I wrap the top of the shock and spring unit in an old sheet and stand on the loose bits. Never point it towards your head and never work leaning over the top. A 200 lb spring with 2.5" of preload packs a pretty solid punch.

[MANWHOR3]

Can someone tell me how important the actaul boot part is? Like i imagine it would stop dust and stuff from getting stuffed into the shock eventually destroying it. As far as i'm aware, the bump stop part is still fine.

Should I go and replace it? and how much is it liekly to cost and where can i buy it from?

[Sydneykid]

Can someone tell me how important the actaul boot part is? Like i imagine it would stop dust and stuff from getting stuffed into the shock eventually destroying it. As far as i'm aware, the bump stop part is still fine.

Should I go and replace it? and how much is it liekly to cost and where can i buy it from?

The boot is very important, as you said it stops grit getting trapped between the shaft on the seal, this results in a worn shaft and a stuffed seal. Show me a shock off a car and I tell straight away whether it has been running with no boots. You can buy generic ones from suspension shops. I use cheapies from off road bike shops, they come in fluro colours too. :boinkcar:

[JAS-25T]

i just changed mine not long ago and what you can do is just buy some universal boots for around $40.

or the geniune nissan ones for around $150

[Jay95R33]

Yepp, get new ones in there. The smallest bit of dirt in the valve will kill it

I got replacement boot straight from Nissan (factory part) for about $38, but there was a 4 week delay while it was getting shipped from Japan. I'd go generic if you can.

As said before, make sure you take the bump stop out of the old one and put it in the new one... I think I've got a few rubbers left over (no boots though) that I didn't end up using like bump stops etc... let me know if you need them and they are yours for nothing

J

[MANWHOR3]

thanks fellars, you're all champs. Jay, thanks for the offer. I have yet to have taken them apart yet, so I don't know how the bump stops are going.

After I build up the courage to take em apart, i'll have a look. hehehe, i'll get a friend who's done it before to show me. I've seen pictures of a guy who put a spring compressor on wrong, and the susp top shot up and chopped half his finger off. No joke. Real freaky stuff.

Makes you think twice about carrying a set of susp with the top facing up, just in case if the bolt snaps :Bang:

[Gav]

I always use multi-grips each side of the spring compressor "hook" to ensure it cant slip down the spring.

I like SK's idea of wrapping the top parts in a sheet also.

[MANWHORE]

sorry, if you don't mind me asking, what are muti grips?

i'm interested in doing the same hting as well. i've just bought some spring compressors from supercheap for like $40. Can you trust these do you reckon?

it's basically like hooks to grab the spring. any chance of them snapping if shit supercheap quality?

[Duncan]

I had no trouble using cheap compressors....just make sure the spring is rattling around before you take the nut of and nothing can go wrong.....

[benl1981]

Sydney Kid, How did you make sure the boot would fit? Did it attach where the old one used to. I didn't ralise how bad mine were, got prings swapped over to the new shocks but I'm going to have to trouble the mechanic to do it again as one of the boots is pretty cactus, and that was the shock that was worn the worst - so I'm guessing they do help...