Supension Spring Installation Instructions

Spring installation Instructions  -  Front - 122 -1800 -140:
1)Loosen the wheel nuts one turn.
2)Block the rear wheels so that the car cannot roll. Jack up the front of the car and put it on jack stands under the frame rails. Make sure that the jack stands are on solid ground/cement, etc.
3)Remove the wheel nuts and take off the front wheels.
4)Work on one side at a time from this point on.
5)Remove the nut(s) holding  the top shock mount.
6)Remove the bolts holding the plate that the bottom shock mount is attached to on the lower control arm. Remove the plate along with the shock pulling it out from the bottom.
7)Place a jack under the lower control arm and raise it slightly.
8)Remove the nut(s) on the end of the sway bar link.
9)Remove the bolts holding the lower ball joint in place.
10)Let the control arm down slowly with the jack - being careful of the brake hoses.
11)You should now be able to pull the spring out. You may have to push the lower control arm down. Be very careful of spring pressure on the lower arm. It can force the arm down quickly and pop out forcefully if not controlled with the jack.
12)After the spring comes out pull out the rubber covered steel spring cup if it did not come out with the spring. It was on top of the spring in the cross member.
13)Remove the metal cup from the rubber. The rubber cup will be used without the steel cup.
14) To adjust the ride height you may want to use a spacer (spring shim) on top of the spring..
(In the front, the chassis will rise approximately double the height of the spacer.)
15)If the springs you have purchased are designed to lower the car,  cut an amount equal to at least half of the lowering amount from the top of the rubber bump stop. This can be done in or out of the car. A reciprocating saw works well.  If possible retain the cone shape of the stop.
16)Place the rubber cup (and spacer if used )on top of the spring. (The spacer in the cup.)
17)Use wire ties or tape to hold the spacer and rubber cup on the spring during installation.
18)Install the spring top first.  With progressive springs the coils that are closer together are on the bottom.  Use a pry bar or large screw driver to force the bottom of the spring in place.
20) Apply pressure with the jack until the ball joint & sway bar link slide into place.
21)Replace the nut on the sway bar link.
22)Replace the bolts holding the ball joint in place.
23)Release the pressure on the lower control arm with the jack and remove the jack.
24)Replace the shock absorber and reinstall the top nut(s) and bolts securing the bottom plate.
25)Perform the same procedures on the other side.
26)Replace the wheels, remove the jack stands, lower the car, and tighten the wheel nuts.
27)Front springs may require some driving before they  settle completely into the spring cups in the lower A arms. Thus, the ride height may be higher until the car has some miles on it.
 

Rear Springs - 1800/122

1)Both rear springs can usually be replaced in the same operation.
2)Jack up the car and place jack stands under the frame rails.
3)Position the jack under the center of the differential housing and use it to support the weight of the rear axle.
4)Remove the bolts holding the limiting straps to the chassis.
5)Remove the nuts holding the bottom of the shocks to their mounts. If it is easier in your car the top mount nut(s) can be removed instead. The shock does not have to be removed.
6)Lower the rear axle by lowering the jack until the spring can be removed.
7)Put the new spring in its place utilizing the stock mounting cups.
8)Slowly raise the jack until the nut can be put back on the bottom shock mount.
9)Replace the limiting strap and attaching bolt.
10) Put the wheels and wheel nuts back on.
11) Raise the jack until the jack stands can be removed and then lower the vehicle.
12) Tighten the wheel nuts.

Whenever the wheels have been removed, tightness of the lug nuts should be rechecked after one half to an hour of driving.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on the installation process or the resulting ride height.