I am gonna install my new springs myself and I was told that I may not need spring compressors since I have lowered springs on there already. So will I need spring compressors if I am going from Sprint to H&R?

 

maybe... with my s-techs, i didn't need spring compressors, but the s-techs are the lowest lowering springs so im not sure about the sprints.

 

just go to a local parts store and borrow the tool. It's better to have it on hand if you need it rather than having to scramble and try to get one when youve allready ripped into your suspension.
If you don't use it, it didn't cost you anything. If you did, you saved yourself a lot of time and aggravation and it still didn't cost you anything.

 

Oh, OK I thought I would have to buy some but since I can borrow, why not have them. Thanks.

 

You're gonna need it to safely remove the front stock springs. Break loose the top center nut but don't loosen it any further - only remove that nut once the strut assy is out of the car and when the spring compressor has the spring load competely taken off the strut.

Dave

 

yea just get em -its free so why not right

 

methmax and I used tires ... and weights to hold it.

 

you do not need spring compressors for h&r springs. i dont have the sprints, but i would imagine that if they are the same drop or more, you wont need the compressors for them either.

 

get it anyways just to be safe. you can always get your money back. i had maxspeeds on mine and i just used it anyways. barely any compression taking it out.

 

Or you can use zip ties to reduce the force when removing the spring

 

you dont need them, i did them last week. went from H&R's to tokico springs. didnt need them for either

 

Thanks. I will probably get them anyway but I am doing it tomorrow and will let you all know how it went.
How long should it take? I am guessing if I take my time 2hours.

 

You won't need spring compressors. Just yesterday I took apart my front spring/struts with TEIN High-Techs (very similar drop to H&R). Undoing the bolt is easy, there's just a little pressure that makes it pop off lightly. Nothing dangerous. It's a bit harder to put them back together. Easy with an assistant. I did it by myself. All you have to do is stand the strut up, push down on the top of the assembly with one hand and one leg (to compress the spring so you can get the nut on) and use your free hand to thread the nut on. Once it's on you can let go and tighten it more. Easy stuff.

To replace all 4 springs it'll probably take you closer to 3-4 hours including jacking up the car, removing and replacing wheels, etc. Unless you're lightning fast and/or careless.

 

it should take you more than 2 hours if you dont have air tools or a buddy. took me 4.5 hours to swap out stock to gc/illuminas alone.

 

I did my springs yesterday and it took about 2 hours. I only did the front and I think I am gonna leave the sprints on the back and have H&R up front. It still sits pretty level.

Will having 2 seperate types of spring hurt any thing? I don't think it will, but I don't know. I also didn't need the spring compressors for the Sprint to H&R swap.

 

Won't hurt a thing, as long as you're familiar with how it drives and handles like that, with two different spring rates.

 

Are you serious? I would never try that. A spring shooting off would definately put a knock out punch on yah.

 

um isnt it bad to mix up different springs? the springs are made to compliment the other when compressed so its almost perfectly stable so mixing it up messes it up right? ive heard of mixing shocks front and rear but springs... id never do. its like a super soft front and a super hard rear or however you want to mix it. kinda unsafe dont ya think?

 

thats why you point it away from yourself.

try shooting it off towards the street if you dont have a compressor. empty street obvoiusly. the nut flies pretty far.

 

Good luck with the install.

I've got the stock height blues. . .

 

Those are lowering springs, which obviously are shorter. The stock front springs longer and have significant preload if there is no sag in them, and there is no way to know how much they will have settled. It's a FREE rental from Autozone.

 

I thought it might be bad but I also thought how is my car gonna know one spring from the other? I mean what if the H&R rear springs were made just like the Sprints but they just had H&R printed on them. I know you said they were made to compliment each other but the ride isn't bad at all. I think the back would look too jacked up if I put the H&R on and I even have one coil cut from the Sprints.

An important point I also wanted to point out was that for about 4 months I have thought my passanger side CV axle was bad b/c it knocked just like a bad one will do. But, as soon as I put the H&R's on the knocking stopped. So now I get to take back the axle I have had sitting in the garage for 4 months. I knew there was a reason I haven't put that thing on yet!!

After having Sprints for 2 1/2 years,IMO, it is too low for the Maxima. Maybe not at first but I think it makes your suspension parts wear down prematurely. It put alot of stress on the car(at least the CV Axles). And because of this my tires have also worn out prematurely. I am about to replace some more suspension parts so I can get a decent ride back. Thanks to those that helped!

 

A springs free length can be anything. Just because H&R's dont need a compressor doesnt mean another brand of the same drop (or more) wont. Intrax have are taller than stock and need a compressor... even though they are rated a 1.7" drop. Eibachs need them too. The free length has no dictation on drop.

Just be safe and get compressors.

 

Yes, and Hunter11, who started the thread, was going from Sprint to H&R and therefore would not, and today he confirmed did not, need spring compressors. Obviously you need them to take apart the stock spring/strut assembly.

 

its not about the ride, not about the brand name, and not about looks. its about the particular spring rates the springs have which is why they are made and put together. if you have to make an evasive manuever or some sudden turn, or are just making a run on the twisties, it could mess everything up and make your car handle uncontrollably, even if it feels solid and nice. im not trying to rain on your parade but think of why they made springs in a set of 4. not 2. just trying to warn ya. but hey, whatever floats your boat.

 

I think the struts (and if they are adjustable, the strut settings) matter much, much more than spring rates.

 

Well, I do have KYB AGX. And also if I get the slightest hint that the springs on back are a problem I will change them.

 

OK, I was just owned I remembered him saying he was going from stock, but failed to double-check.

 

umm FYI higher spring rates in the rear will increase oversteer. Nothing hard to understand. Mix your springs freely, adjust your struts as necessary. Dont worry if the rears are at a different setting than the front, it means nothing. Having a stiff rear is just like adding a RSB.