SGT_OKINAWA
Member
- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-7
Okay, so I said I'd post my adventure in DIY lowering springs on my Mazda Premacy.... Oh dear...
1. It's not as hard as I'm going to make it out to be... so reader beware.
2. I had access to an entire auto hobby shop on post, (one benefit of being retired Amry) apx 1 Million dollar facility, BUT more on that later, some things now so good there. *note to self, check first!*
Here is their site, http://www.mwrjapan.army.mil/okinawa/auto.aspx
VERY HELPFUL GUYS that saved my ass in the nick of time there, BUT only after I had to take the struts to another place...more below...*sigh*
3. I purchased the spring from VIP AUTOWORKS 7 July 2009, I got them yesterday in Okinawa Japan AFTER I had to use an alternate shipping companyto get them here...
4. I started at 0900
5. Before anything:
6. now the fun...
This picture:
a) Rims off, dah.
b) Remove bolts to brake line, behind strut and down below for good measure, you'll figure it out when you see them, DON'T take the top ones off in the engine bay.
c) It was a b**** to get the dam strut out of it's 'hole' on the housing:
d) Don't forget to disconnect this:
e) I'm about 75% done beating the dam thing with a hammer to get it to 'drop off'
f) use lots of WD-40
g) there it's off !!
h) NOw you take them top bolts off, got the back one of the three off already.
I) Here is my worst nightmare ...
This is where things go wrong...
This SPRING CLAMP THING looks good right? WRONG, it's a masterful art that takes YEARS to perfect its uses... I was not used to this, I use the simple clamps and bam done,.. but this is what they had *sigh*
You can see that it's not straight, sort of... well that was the problem, spilled the ball bearings all of the place took 20 min to find one of them... time is a ticking away, well at 1245 I said F it, I've got to run it down to AUTOBACS and have them do it...
So that is where I stopped taking pictures and had to hurry the hell up because the hobby shop closes at 5 and I was on the other side of town / City getting Autobacs:
http://www.autobacs.com/index.html
I bought 4K worth of Rims and tires there, these guys have done lots for me (sdaved my ass many times) on other stuff FOR FREE !! THANK GOD FOR JAPAN ETHICS AND MANNERS and politeness and respect, etc. etc.
PM me for details.
Well, good news is I finished the back springs in 15 min BOTH and was done right at 1700 (5PM) when they closed, after making it back across the city.
Lessons learned:
1. Pay someone if you can afford it. I could but Froogle me wanted to save a buck, *sigh at myself*
2. Have a buddy or friend that owes you a lot help out.
3. Make sure you know that the CLAMP thingy is working right and have someone that has done this before and knows how to work it standing by.
4. Alot for errors. Once that strut is off, you ain't going now place until that new spring or original is on there.
5. Air Tools and Car Lift a MUST!
6. Drink lots and Lots of water in 98 degree and 80% humidity (Tropical weather) environment, I dam near passed out and will sleep in tomorrow.
Sorry no AFTER pictures yet, will post later.
Night all!
Peace!
1. It's not as hard as I'm going to make it out to be... so reader beware.
2. I had access to an entire auto hobby shop on post, (one benefit of being retired Amry) apx 1 Million dollar facility, BUT more on that later, some things now so good there. *note to self, check first!*
Here is their site, http://www.mwrjapan.army.mil/okinawa/auto.aspx
VERY HELPFUL GUYS that saved my ass in the nick of time there, BUT only after I had to take the struts to another place...more below...*sigh*
3. I purchased the spring from VIP AUTOWORKS 7 July 2009, I got them yesterday in Okinawa Japan AFTER I had to use an alternate shipping companyto get them here...
4. I started at 0900
5. Before anything:
6. now the fun...
This picture:
a) Rims off, dah.
b) Remove bolts to brake line, behind strut and down below for good measure, you'll figure it out when you see them, DON'T take the top ones off in the engine bay.
c) It was a b**** to get the dam strut out of it's 'hole' on the housing:
d) Don't forget to disconnect this:
e) I'm about 75% done beating the dam thing with a hammer to get it to 'drop off'
f) use lots of WD-40
g) there it's off !!
h) NOw you take them top bolts off, got the back one of the three off already.
I) Here is my worst nightmare ...
This is where things go wrong...
This SPRING CLAMP THING looks good right? WRONG, it's a masterful art that takes YEARS to perfect its uses... I was not used to this, I use the simple clamps and bam done,.. but this is what they had *sigh*
You can see that it's not straight, sort of... well that was the problem, spilled the ball bearings all of the place took 20 min to find one of them... time is a ticking away, well at 1245 I said F it, I've got to run it down to AUTOBACS and have them do it...
So that is where I stopped taking pictures and had to hurry the hell up because the hobby shop closes at 5 and I was on the other side of town / City getting Autobacs:
http://www.autobacs.com/index.html
I bought 4K worth of Rims and tires there, these guys have done lots for me (sdaved my ass many times) on other stuff FOR FREE !! THANK GOD FOR JAPAN ETHICS AND MANNERS and politeness and respect, etc. etc.
PM me for details.
Well, good news is I finished the back springs in 15 min BOTH and was done right at 1700 (5PM) when they closed, after making it back across the city.
Lessons learned:
1. Pay someone if you can afford it. I could but Froogle me wanted to save a buck, *sigh at myself*
2. Have a buddy or friend that owes you a lot help out.
3. Make sure you know that the CLAMP thingy is working right and have someone that has done this before and knows how to work it standing by.
4. Alot for errors. Once that strut is off, you ain't going now place until that new spring or original is on there.
5. Air Tools and Car Lift a MUST!
6. Drink lots and Lots of water in 98 degree and 80% humidity (Tropical weather) environment, I dam near passed out and will sleep in tomorrow.
Sorry no AFTER pictures yet, will post later.
Night all!
Peace!
