How To: Lowering Spring Install!

[Sveivo]

I think you have to compress the spring/strut to be able to fit it out and facing you in the wheel well to be able to remove the strut. Do it how you may, but I just think its easier to fully remove the strut. Endlinks will be SOOO much easier the next time around when it comes time to do a sway bar upgrade like I did, took 5 mins endlinks included

What I did is rotated the strut/spring assembly out of the wheel well and then compressed the spring, etc.

I only did it because I did not have the means to take the endlinks off, so I only recommend it in this case.

In other words, it's a ghetto way to do it, but it works, if it must be done.

 

[Lewis7789]

What I did is rotated the strut/spring assembly out of the wheel well and then compressed the spring, etc.

I only did it because I did not have the means to take the endlinks off, so I only recommend it in this case.

In other words, it's a ghetto way to do it, but it works, if it must be done.

That's actually what I was hoping to hear. I'll try to remove the endlink nuts for the easier install but if all else fails it's good to know I can still swap out the springs if I run into trouble.

 

[Sveivo]

That's actually what I was hoping to hear. I'll try to remove the endlink nuts for the easier install but if all else fails it's good to know I can still swap out the springs if I run into trouble.

Good luck man. Don't try too hard because they strip easily.

 

[jeg0024]

Good luck man. Don't try too hard because they strip easily.

I wish my gf did



lol, on topic. If you have an impact gun and some PB blaster use it, if not try to work around removing the endlinks. If you have questions you know you can ask here, im always around lol.

 

[Sveivo]

I wish my gf did



lol, on topic. If you have an impact gun and some PB blaster use it, if not try to work around removing the endlinks. If you have questions you know you can ask here, im always around lol.

bwahaha, I just realized how funny it sounds.

 

[Keno1542]

subs

 

[GBean]

so how much does this lowering spring setup affect your camber? Is it noticable?
Did it affect handling or tire wear?

 

[jeg0024]

so how much does this lowering spring setup affect your camber? Is it noticable?
Did it affect handling or tire wear?

It wasn't visibly noticable but im sure you would get some funny tire wear, our cars already wear the insides faster on their own anyways, this could just make it worse.

 

[Lewis7789]

There's always been a big debate about tire wear when lowering cars, that it's not actually the camber but the toe. I've lowered cars 2-3 inches and imediately got an alignment afterwards to adjust the toe in/out and the tires wear just fine without camber kits.

 

[GBean]

There's always been a big debate about tire wear when lowering cars, that it's not actually the camber but the toe. I've lowered cars 2-3 inches and imediately got an alignment afterwards to adjust the toe in/out and the tires wear just fine without camber kits.

I believe too much negative camber will wear a tire just as bad as too much +/- toe. That is why most smart 510 guys will get camber plates with their 280zx strut/brake upgrades to save their tires.
What kind of aftermarket camber stuff is there for the 3rd gen Protege?

 

[red95_240sx]

forget camber toe, and tire wear changes, just ride it(thumb)

 

[Lewis7789]

I believe too much negative camber will wear a tire just as bad as too much +/- toe. That is why most smart 510 guys will get camber plates with their 280zx strut/brake upgrades to save their tires.
What kind of aftermarket camber stuff is there for the 3rd gen Protege?

Yeah, camber plates are awesome. Anything that is adjustable is good stuff in my book. But if a cat is just dropping his car 1.5", I don't think it's necessary to worry too much about camber. But if someone is dropping more than that, I would get a camber kit, just to be on the safe side.

 

[GBean]

forget camber toe, and tire wear changes, just ride it(thumb)

And buy twice as many tires, thats a winner....(rlaugh)

 

[JonnyTheJet]

Help!!!

I need help guys! After installing my Tokico HP struts, on my P5, the rear doesn't seem right. There is a gap between the washer and the top of the plate that it is suppose to sit on. The piston of the strut rotated when I test drove it. It seems like the piston of the strut is too long or something. Did this happen to anyone else? What happened and how can I fix it?

 

[red95_240sx]

the washer is on backwards? i dont believe it matters if that rotates.

 

[Bala]

What happened and how can I fix it?

The center nut that comes with the Tokicos has less material beneath the threaded portion and will not allow full tightening of the assembly - reuse the OEM nut or throw a washer or two beneath the Tokico nut.

 

[JonnyTheJet]

Okay thanks for the suggestion. I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow morning. However, shouldn't the washer fall to the bottom and touch the plate regardless of the nut?

 

[Bala]

Okay thanks for the suggestion. I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow morning. However, shouldn't the washer fall to the bottom and touch the plate regardless of the nut?

It should. It can get hung up if you don't line up the corresponding flat spots on the ID of the washer with the strut.

 

[JonnyTheJet]

Bala - Thanks for your help! The washer got shifted when I originally put on the nut. I undid it and it was wedged up on the threads. Had to hammer it back out but now its flush with the bottom. And for good measure I used the OEM nuts. Thanks again!

 

[Bala]

Bala - Thanks for your help! The washer got shifted when I originally put on the nut. I undid it and it was wedged up on the threads. Had to hammer it back out but now its flush with the bottom. And for good measure I used the OEM nuts. Thanks again!

No prob bro (stash) I'm running Tokicos on both my Pro's (and had to learn the hard way).