Swift springs review!!!!!

Alchemy · 06-20-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost_lee

Just a note, I tried using the rented spring coil compressor from auto zone and it was too difficult with the swifts. They are hard to compress and the coils were very close to one another. It was way easier using a during compressor at a shop.

Well I plan on gettin this done in my driveway, just like all my other installs. Are you sayin the rented compressor will not work or just be tough??

Has anybody here had success with an Autozone compressor?

Ron · 06-20-2011, 09:20 PM

I used an electric impact wrench.. compressed springs in like 30 seconds. It would have been tough to do it manually.

Alchemy · 06-20-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

I used an electric impact wrench.. compressed springs in like 30 seconds. It would have been tough to do it manually.

Yeah my buddy suggested that. Think my 18v Dewalt impact would do it?? It should right?

Ron · 06-20-2011, 09:41 PM

Idk man, I don't think a battery powered one will be strong enough

Boost_lee · 06-20-2011, 09:57 PM

It gets tough...can't say that it is impossible though. it's the coil design that makes it hard

buddahson · 06-20-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost_lee

Buddah, you can do the spring and spacer install at once if you like, or you can wait. The stud replacement type will require you to remove the bake caliper, so you might as well do it while the car is up in the air already.
Just be sure to have both installed before the alignment and drive on the springs for a few hundred miles.

Thx.

speedworks · 06-21-2011, 12:01 AM

I used the Autozone spring compressor, and it worked fine with pneumatic tools (impact wrench) to tighten/loosen. Just make sure you put the tophot on in the same orientation so you don't pre-load the spring when you put it back in. I noticed that the tophats do not line up the same way as OEM, since the Swift spring is cut different and it doesn't stop/start at the same place as the OEMs (they don't fit the same way in the rubber bushing, to allow the bolts to go through the strut holder in frame). I think this also will insure a common drop all around (no preload on springs).

Mandingo · 06-21-2011, 08:35 PM

The compressors they have at autozone look really bulky. It seems like it'd be hard to fit the compressor's arms onto the tightly wound Swifts correctly. Did you have trouble with that?

TooFaded · 06-21-2011, 09:21 PM

I used the spring compressors from Auto Zone when I installed my springs. I didn't have any problems attaching the compressor to the Swift springs. You definitely want to use an impact wrench.

Boost_lee · 06-22-2011, 03:54 AM

Looks like not having enough power on my impact tools was my flaw. Luckily I have access to a shop and their spring compressor.

Hope all goes well with the install

cheshirecat · 06-22-2011, 09:23 AM

I used the autozone spring compressors with a manual socket set because I'm ghetto.

It was a pain in the ***. The tools are fine, just the job itself is a hassle.

Borrow someone's power tools and save yourself the hurt.

Alchemy · 06-22-2011, 10:18 AM

About how long did this install take for you guys?? I have personally never done springs before. I have a few friends who have though and they say its pretty easy.

Alchemy · 06-22-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost_lee

Looks like not having enough power on my impact tools was my flaw. Luckily I have access to a shop and their spring compressor.

Hope all goes well with the install

BTW Boost I love your profile pic, looks sweeeet!

cheshirecat · 06-22-2011, 10:58 AM

The rears are very fast. You can do them in 30 minutes per side or less. That includes jacking the car up, removing the wheels, etc.

The fronts are more time consuming. The biggest issues are compressing/decompressing the springs x2 along with any problem bolts you may encounter. Give yourself a free afternoon just in case you run into any issues. If everything goes to plan, an hour a side is fine.

tjlazer · 06-22-2011, 11:48 AM

Yeah the front springs are a pain due to the fact the coils are wound up really tight at the top of the spring. So the spring compressor cannot easily get clamped on. It can be done but will be problematic. Might have to wedge the spring compressor clips in there. Just be careful. Install took me several hours total time. It is definately a whole day job with the spring compresor task included.

I wound recommend you take pics of your original spring setup at different angles so you know how to orient the new spring on there. It has to be installed just right. Don't want an uneven drop.

06-20-2011, 09:57 PM	#725 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	It gets tough...can't say that it is impossible though. it's the coil design that makes it hard __________________ My TT Z

06-21-2011, 08:35 PM	#728 (permalink)
Mandingo Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 625 Drives: '10 370z 6spd Rep Power: 3371	The compressors they have at autozone look really bulky. It seems like it'd be hard to fit the compressor's arms onto the tightly wound Swifts correctly. Did you have trouble with that? __________________ some mods

06-22-2011, 03:54 AM	#730 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Looks like not having enough power on my impact tools was my flaw. Luckily I have access to a shop and their spring compressor. Hope all goes well with the install __________________ My TT Z

06-22-2011, 10:18 AM	#732 (permalink)
Alchemy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey Age: 45 Posts: 4,855 Drives: to acquire tickets Rep Power: 3524	About how long did this install take for you guys?? I have personally never done springs before. I have a few friends who have though and they say its pretty easy. __________________ Ryan 314WHP \| 260LB-FT \| STILLEN \| KONI \| SWIFT \| STOPTECH \| Z1 \| PROJECT MU \| CNT \| UPREV \| FORGESTAR \| BRIDGESTONE \| PWJDM \| ENEOS \| MOTUL

06-22-2011, 11:48 AM	#735 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 53 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 20	Yeah the front springs are a pain due to the fact the coils are wound up really tight at the top of the spring. So the spring compressor cannot easily get clamped on. It can be done but will be problematic. Might have to wedge the spring compressor clips in there. Just be careful. Install took me several hours total time. It is definately a whole day job with the spring compresor task included. I wound recommend you take pics of your original spring setup at different angles so you know how to orient the new spring on there. It has to be installed just right. Don't want an uneven drop. __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

06-20-2011, 09:20 PM	#722 (permalink)
Ron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,009 Drives: TT '11 PW Nismo #113 Rep Power: 22	I used an electric impact wrench.. compressed springs in like 30 seconds. It would have been tough to do it manually.

06-20-2011, 09:41 PM	#724 (permalink)
Ron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,009 Drives: TT '11 PW Nismo #113 Rep Power: 22	Idk man, I don't think a battery powered one will be strong enough

06-21-2011, 12:01 AM	#727 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 17	I used the Autozone spring compressor, and it worked fine with pneumatic tools (impact wrench) to tighten/loosen. Just make sure you put the tophot on in the same orientation so you don't pre-load the spring when you put it back in. I noticed that the tophats do not line up the same way as OEM, since the Swift spring is cut different and it doesn't stop/start at the same place as the OEMs (they don't fit the same way in the rubber bushing, to allow the bolts to go through the strut holder in frame). I think this also will insure a common drop all around (no preload on springs).

06-21-2011, 09:21 PM	#729 (permalink)
TooFaded Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Drives: 2010 PW 370z 6MT Rep Power: 15	I used the spring compressors from Auto Zone when I installed my springs. I didn't have any problems attaching the compressor to the Swift springs. You definitely want to use an impact wrench.

06-22-2011, 09:23 AM	#731 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	I used the autozone spring compressors with a manual socket set because I'm ghetto. It was a pain in the ***. The tools are fine, just the job itself is a hassle. Borrow someone's power tools and save yourself the hurt.

06-22-2011, 10:58 AM	#734 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	The rears are very fast. You can do them in 30 minutes per side or less. That includes jacking the car up, removing the wheels, etc. The fronts are more time consuming. The biggest issues are compressing/decompressing the springs x2 along with any problem bolts you may encounter. Give yourself a free afternoon just in case you run into any issues. If everything goes to plan, an hour a side is fine.

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