Alright, so I am parting out my Maxima and today I attempted to re-install the OEM springs on OEM shocks. I haven't touched my suspension for nearly 2 1/2 years, so I might be doing something wrong. I got everything apart and the Eibach springs off, but I couldn't get the OEM springs to compress enough to get the threads on the shock rod thru the top. Can someone give me some tips or a link to install stock springs on stock shocks? Most of the How-To's involve aftermarket springs, which don't need to be compressed. Thanks!

 

You really need to buy or borrow a set of spring compressors. There's absolutely no other way around it. You can buy a set for like $20 at a Pep Boys or similar auto parts store.

 

I have one, the problem is I cannot compress the spring enough. I was using a impact wrench and had it as tight as it could go(175Ft/lbs). My friend and I gave up for today and are going to try it again tomorrow. Hopefully, someone here can help me

 

Putting OEM springs back onto your car is definately a pain in the a$$. I use a wall mounted compressor and it still scares me. You really have to compress them quite a bit to get them back on.

Please be careful when your doing this, there's a lot of force when that spring is compressed down enough to fit onto the strut.

On the other hand, the rears are very easy. You really don't need a compressor, just have a large friend push the top down (you need some weight here) and you'll be able to catch a thread or two on the nut. It's much easier and faster that way.

 

Are you skipping a coil or two? If you just try to compress the 2 coils next to each other you won't be able to get it compressed enough. Also, make sure the spring is seated properly in the perch before you try jamming that tophat on.

See my site for pics of the stock springs compressed sufficiently:
www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html

EDIT: Here is the rear. Be sure to skip at least one coil so the spring gets more compressed:

 

try to get the compressors around the very highest coils.. or at least on 1 of the sides.


i had to compress the stock springs 3 times now.. it's a pain but it can be done..
another problem i run into is that the spring compressors turning bolt presses against the upper strut mount and it's hard to get a head on top of it to turn it.

 

I was having the same problem. I am going to take the front struts to a shop and have them compress the oem springs. I can do the rear ones easily, correct?