Install help w/springs and shocks

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Originally Posted by altiain

I'd love to hear exactly how wrapping a moving blanket around a compressed spring is safer than using a tool specifically designed for the job. :?

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Well then, lesson on how to install shocks are open for registration starting Monday.

All that wrenching leaves room for a slip and a busted knuckle or whatever. If you know how to do it, blanket method takes half the wrenching. for instance, no little blankets...I'm using a very large and think U Haul blanket. A lot of things can be done better, faster, or more efficient but are not always done in those ways since many people are not competent enough to safely carry out the task. Guess I should be careful dispensing information these days. I'll have my attorney friend whip up a disclaimer just in case; don't want one of those "McDonald's" lawsuits.

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Originally Posted by altain

For holding the shock/spring assembly in place while tightening and loosening the spring compressors. Don't worry - no vise needed for the "bomb in a blanket" method either. :mrgreen:

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Okay, that makes sense for tightening them, obviously wouldn't work with the shortcut removal method. That would be better than holding the shocks on the ground to tighten the spring compressor....need to get a bench vise for the new place.

Wait a minute....didn't you guys install FM springs? I didn't need a spring compressor to install them. I used it to take the stock ones off. At least the set FM sent me were short enough to not need it to put them on.

*nevermind, forgot you had an NB

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Originally Posted by icepenguin66

A lot of things can be done better, faster, or more efficient...

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Just out of sheer curiosity... I'd like to know how the "blanket method" works.

yah, i'd like to see that bomb in a blanket, lol... actually i replaced both
lower control arms in my car and didn't use anything to compress the shocks.
They just stayed in place, but taking them of would set the timer, lol...
Hey i luv the pictures, the one titled "frisco junk yard" so who drives that one with the black wheels, that car looks killer. how many miata's were there? i like the dual diagnal roll bars... pretty kool pics.

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Just out of sheer curiosity... I'd like to know how the "blanket method" works.

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I know to one that has never done it, it sounds a bit crazy. I thought so too at first. Unlike most peole I know, I actually follow most saftey procedures and actually wear eye protection, etc. so this is a little out of the norm for me working on cars.

If you have a large, thick and strong blanket such as the U Haul moving blanket I have, you can wrap the shock up like a burrito and jam the socket on a huge extention in there and loosen the nut the last few turns and if you hold your foot on the shock hat while doing this, it will only move a couple inches in the blanket. Again, if you are going to try it this way and save a lot of time/hassle from using the compressor, make sure you have a large strong blanket and fold the ends in when you wrap it up just to be on the safe side. There yah go, redneck shortcut for the day! :geek:

P.S. I do have a nice spring compressor and do use it often. Just that I can save about an hour of wrenching by doing the shortcut above.

And if you are doing shock removal with FM springs on an M1 at least, you don't need a spring compressor to remove or install them cause the little bastards are sooo short!

Between trying 6 different combinations between my 90 street/track car and the 92 project track car, I've gotten the shock install down to an art form...I've done all 4 shocks on the 90 in about an hour with no help, which is pretty damn fast IMO. :cyclopsa:

Oh yeah, Beautiful car Tim. Love those exhaust tips and wheels look great!

Anyone know if the M2 FM springs settle down after a while? His car looks like it has so much ground clearance compared to my M1 with FM springs and AGX shocks. Looks great Tim, just that mine is sooo low.

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Originally Posted by icepenguin66

Anyone know if the M2 FM springs settle down after a while?

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Oh, they settle alright... nice and low.

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Originally Posted by channelmaniac

Nice pics!


Is that glare from the head or from the paint on the car?

http://teachandtech.smugmug.com/photos/28596411-M.jpg

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If you'd been there, you wouldn't have to ask :geek:

Hey Ice,
I will take another pic tonight and post it as the car has settled more. :cheers: It's hard to see the top of the tires in the set because of so little contrast in the shadows. The last picture in that set next to the train was the "before" picture. I deleted it so no one would think that was the final result. :D

Cool, hope the M2 FM springs work out good. Yah, that train pic looked a bit high! I just replaced my worn out AGX shocks (don't ask) and am still not pleased. My 90 is too low and very bumpy. The rear subframe brace didn't do too much, so must be the springs. Every little bump makes the car jiggle no matter what setting I put the shocks on. I guess I just have bad luck with my 90. Probably gonna put the stock springs back on soon.

Peterson alignment accomplished today..............can you say "ROAD TRIP!!!"
The car handles extremely well now and should make it through the twisties at Deals Gap next week :burnrubr:

Wanna try them out at MSR this Saturday?

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Originally Posted by Screamin'Screw

Wanna try them out at MSR this Saturday?

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I don't think he's back from Deal's Gap just yet.