Spring removal

[acrobin]

Rob said that by winding down the spring seat all the way I would be able to get the spring off the Protech shock, I have but.....

The spring is still under compression so I cannot release it.

Are there special spring compressors for these type coil springs or another method?

The new springs, one set sorter and one set the same length as currently on the shock.

[stylussprinter]

Rob said that by winding down the spring seat all the way I would be able to get the spring off the Protech shock, I have but.....

The spring is still under compression so I cannot release it.

Are there special spring compressors for these type coil springs or another method?

The new springs, one set sorter and one set the same length as currently on the shock.

The spring retainer at the top has a slot in it so you can get a strong / long screwdriver between spring and retainer on the opposite side to the slot then lever it out -------- doddle , done it many times as I've changed my spring rates and lengths about 5 times since the build

[acrobin]

Well Rob just tried that and you must be very strong!

The spring retainer has a countersink that the top of the shock sits in, by trying to lever it, it is an asymmetric force and one side presses harder into the countersink and therefore impossible to "slip off".

I tried a pair of grips to compress the spring, if I had two then I might have a slight chance; there is too spring length for the shock - it is still compressed by about 3/4".

[kevp]

Is the car still on its wheels? If so the springs will be compresed. You need to jack the car up.

Hope Im not posting the obvious.

[acrobin]

Yes, the car is on axle stands and the shocks are off.
I have wound down the spring adjuster far as it goes so the spring is as relaxed as it is permitted to be.
Judging by a replacement spring I have of the same length the there is at least a centimetre and a half before the spring is not in compression.

I have front and back to do, and have 7" springs to gone on the front in place of the 8" - then I will not have a problem. I will have a problem with the back as I and changing 8" for 8" - just changing the poundage.

With Robs advice re: ride heights. The front of my car needs to go down over 2 centimetres as it is currently sitting with a clearance of 180mm; needs to be 130 to 160mm.

The rear is sitting at 120mm and needs to be 25mm higher than the front.

The 7" springs (rated 250lbs) will get me near to where I need to be, at the rear I need to gain height and with higher rated springs and loads of free adjustment, I should achieve the what I need.

[hearbear]

mine were the same when fitting had to compress the spring by about 2cm to get them on. I compressed the spring by required amount and put lots of heavy cable ties all round the spring fitted and put retaining ring on and cut ties. You could try the reverse compressing the spring on the shock cable tie it and release the collar.

George

[stylussprinter]

Just can't understand it. I'm sure my spring rates are higher than most of you guys so something's odd about the shocks measurements and springs measurements you've been supplied It's very difficult giving answers when I haven't got them in my hands looking at them but somethings wrong --- too short a shock for the spring

[Cerberus]

I will pull my protecs apart tomorrow if i can, it's a bit late now, will post back tomorrow evening.


Phil

[acrobin]

I think I have a method!!

I went to a motor sport specialist and they came up with a suggestion (other than going to a motor cycle repair shop).

Use a hydraulic press - put the shock in upside down and used two heavy plates to slide and hold the coil spring - when the press compresses the spring the ram end will be free to go through the bed of the press and allow the retaining ring to be removed easily. This should work and be a relatively safe procedure (don't quote me on that!!).

The guy at the motor sport place said the springs are too long for the shocks and that he could not set the corner weights up due to there being no free play.

This begs the question as to whether I have been sold too shorter shocks by Pete. The front shocks should be ok once I get the 7" springs on, but if the back is too low now the I will be very limited on how much higher I can get the back - my only hope is that with the 130lbs springs on the back, once changed to 200lbs ones I will get an automatic height gain, but I doubt I can wind the height up any more. I do not think Pete thought out this properly or as mine was one or the last one sold by Pete....

[stylussprinter]

I think I have a method!!

I went to a motor sport specialist and they came up with a suggestion (other than going to a motor cycle repair shop).

Use a hydraulic press - put the shock in upside down and used two heavy plates to slide and hold the coil spring - when the press compresses the spring the ram end will be free to go through the bed of the press and allow the retaining ring to be removed easily. This should work and be a relatively safe procedure (don't quote me on that!!).

The guy at the motor sport place said the springs are too long for the shocks and that he could not set the corner weights up due to there being no free play.

This begs the question as to whether I have been sold too shorter shocks by Pete. The front shocks should be ok once I get the 7" springs on, but if the back is too low now the I will be very limited on how much higher I can get the back - my only hope is that with the 130lbs springs on the back, once changed to 200lbs ones I will get an automatic height gain, but I doubt I can wind the height up any more. I do not think Pete thought out this properly or as mine was one or the last one sold by Pete....

P.Powell's standard supply before being educated was 13'' shocks all round with 9'' springs 180 front 130 rears. A 12'' shock with an 8'' spring up front ---- 13'' shock with 9'' spring rears followed later once he was convinced the previous was wrong. After that , anyone who asked me , I told ---- put your 180's to the rear and chuck the 130's , then fit minimum 200's to the front. That doesn't allow for lowering the car , merely makes it easier to set up as a basic road spec' .
Your shock sizes will be stamped at bottom close to the adjuster . 12085 AS AN EXAMPLE --- meaning 12'' extended 8.5'' compressed closed length.

[acrobin]

Rob, thanks.
I did what you recommended and have 7" 250lbs for the front, to replace the 180s and 8" 200 lbs for rear.

That in theory should give a chance to set the ride heights to your spec.

I will make sure though that the shocks are 13" all round (Pete's original configuration). That would mean the rear would be ok, and just may be a problem with the front - hope not.

[Cerberus]

Well mine won't come apart either , i was told when i bought it, front shocks were 13" dampers with 11" springs turns out 12" dampers and springs unkown as yet, rears are supposed to be 15" dampers with 13" springs which i very much doubt as for removal the best way is with spring compressors which cost about £20, it looks like a new set of springs and dampers for me


Phil


If you want something doing DO IT YOURSELF

[stylussprinter]

Rob, thanks.
I did what you recommended and have 7" 250lbs for the front, to replace the 180s and 8" 200 lbs for rear.

That in theory should give a chance to set the ride heights to your spec.

I will make sure though that the shocks are 13" all round (Pete's original configuration). That would mean the rear would be ok, and just may be a problem with the front - hope not.

If you have a problem with the front (ought to use 12'' shocks though front) give me a buzz on PM and I'll tell you a little tweek you can easily do to lower the front for little cash , just a bit of engineering Bear in mind that you must have some travel in the shock piston when you've lowered/adjusted ride height

[stylussprinter]

Well mine won't come apart either , i was told when i bought it, front shocks were 13" dampers with 11" springs turns out 12" dampers and springs unkown as yet, rears are supposed to be 15" dampers with 13" springs which i very much doubt as for removal the best way is with spring compressors which cost about £20, it looks like a new set of springs and dampers for me


Phil


If you want something doing DO IT YOURSELF

That's boll --- ks anyway . 13'' DAMPERS NEED 9 '' SPRINGS --- 12'' NEED 8'' and 15's NEED 10'' . No wonder nobody can get the springs off

[Cerberus]

That's what i was told when i bought it by you know who

Phil