O.K. I got my H&R springs in the mail today.
I got a question about the actual install.
The rear springs have a different diameter on the top and bottom so there is no way to get it upside down considering its progressive rate.

Which leads to my question. The top and bottom of the front springs are the same diameter. Does it matter which end is up -- whether the wider spaced coils are on the top or bottom side?

My guess is the coils turns on the soft end of the spring would compress together first before the stiffer end. So I'm guessing it doesn't matter which end goes up.

Would somebody please confirm this if I am correct or incorrect? I hope this isn't a dumb question.

 

the closely spaced coils go up top, at least thats what everybody says.

don't your H&R's have any sort of writing on them? i would imagine you'd have to install them so the lettering is right side up, but the closely spaced coils definetely go up top.

 

Do put the more closely spaced coils on the top. With maxspeeds if they are installed upside down they will make lots of noise (Read in another thread and also I know you have H&R but same would probably still apply).

There are a few threads here that have good detailed instructions, including necessary tourque values.

 

yes the dead coils on top.

torque specs.. Ill try to remember off the top of my head

fronts - ft lbs

3 strut nuts- 34 lbs
center strut nut- 50lbs
2 bottom strut bolts- 110

rears

bottom bolt- 84
2 top strut nuts- 15
center nut- 15

 

Nismo is correct on the torque values. One quick note, make sure you position the front upper spring perch with the word OUT facing out or in line with the struts lower mount. If you don't get that lined up correctly, you will have a noisey suspension.

Replace your strut bearings, there 20 bucks each and use two isolators on each front coil. One goes on the bottom coil to isolate the spring from the strut and one goes on the 2nd coil down from the top. Make sure that upper isolator starts on the 2nd coil right above where the top coil, where the spring begins. That should be all you need for a nice quiet setup.

 

When I got them installed I was sent two brown isolator sleeves for the bottom springs and then 4 grey half-sleeves for the front struts as well. The mechanic didn't replace these since he didn't see the old ones on the car. Are these the sleeves that go on the second coil down from the top? And is the word out written on the spring? I noticed the H&R O/S white writing on the springs but didn't really take note of any other writing.

 

the word "out" is not written on the spring...it's on the top perch(?) not sure wat it's called. on the H&R springs, there's the name (H&R), and the part number...not sure if there's anything else

 

Thanks for the info.
I see what you all mean about the noise.
Last night, I was just trying to push the springs down my my hands with the spring on the floor. Can't remember which end, but in one direction I could hear a binding sound from the coils touching together.

Another question here: Don't the OEM springs look like they have at least a somewhat similar sort of variation in the coil spacing when they are off the car?

 

Well, I guess I figured it out.
I thought it might be a great idea to check out that nice service manual I got in my trunk. And sure enought, it was all spelled out in the manual.

The bottom of the spring is flat and the top end is angled. Flatted end goes on the lower spring perch.

Looking at the manual; it looks easy enough to do once I get the appropriate tools. With any luck I'll save myself some money.

 

MaximaPower. When you replaced the front springs, were there any isolater sleeves on the top portions of the stock springs? Did you put new ones on the H&R's? I have two grey "half-sleeves" left over from the install since the mechanic didn't see them on the original spring.

Anyway, when I took it back to them, the guy said something about the driver side sitting lower than the front passenger side due to driver wieght-say 200 pounds. He said that's why the lighter passenger side has the noise as opposed to the driver side. He also sprayed some silicone lubricant to ease the noise. The noise is still not completely gone, so I'm thinking whether I should have installed or will still install those two grey sleeves( one for the top of each spring). What do you guys think? I basically replaced every part of the suspension except the contral arm bushings.

 

i dont remember any isolation sleeves on the top of the front springs...there was a sleeve on the bottom of each of the stock springs tho..i used the spiral wrap from radio shack for new isolation sleeves on the H&Rs and i wrapped the top and bottom of the H&Rs

and i dont know what the mechanic is talking bout with the uneven driver side and passenger side....my car seems even on both sides...and i also did my bro's i30 which also looks even on both sides....we'rre autos btw

i have lil to no noise...i can hear maybe a squeak hwen i hit the bumps and holes on the road kinda hard....my bro's car has no noise at all...all we replaced were struts, springs and isolation sleeves

 

Thanks. My car is even on both sides too. I guess they just make up BS excuses since all they mostly deal with at Illusions are honduhs. I might have to get some of that spiral wrap. The noise occurs at low speeds or in park when I turn the wheels. Mainly from the spring turning. Ah well, I guess I'll be heading back there this weekend to solve this once and for all.

 

those are low torque specs. The bottom bolts are supposed to be much higher for a 4th gen.