urgent help needed!(car with mechanic!)

[wanacoop]

i'm getting the new Avo rear shocks fitted at the moment, but the mechanic is having trouble compressing the springs, he's tried a couple local garages,but they cant do it either? Is this normal? Do u need a tvr spring compresser?

[thegamekeeper]

I have a hydraulic spring compressor which I designed and manufactued because of the difficulty and danger of using conventional hook type compressors. Unfortunately you are almost as far away as you could be. I assume you are refitting the old springs to the new dampers.

[phillpot]

This method is NOT recommended by the Health and Safety Executive !
Thread two small ratchet straps through spring, now put it under four poster ramp and lower until spring is compressed, tighten straps raise ramp and voila one compressed spring !

[wanacoop]

phillpot said:

This method is NOT recommended by the Health and Safety Executive !
Thread two small ratchet straps through spring, now put it under four poster ramp and lower until spring is compressed, tighten straps raise ramp and voila one compressed spring !

that sound like a good idea, although from what i understood, the old shock is still linked to the spring!? So now what!???

[ChrisGadd]

I did manage to swap the top collars from orig shocks to new shocks and springs with a set of compressors from Halfords although I needed to hold the spring loosley betweeen the jaws of a vice to stop the spring bending

[wanacoop]

just rung the mechanic, he's had to buy some diff spring compressor, he said it's hard to actually clamp the s.c to the springs to get the old shock out??

He also said the springs were more like motorbike springs!! Bit worrying..

Thankyou for the help guys, really appriciate it!

[ChrisGadd]

If the spring is old then I would be tempted to get some new ones or you might find you have to replace them in the near future. It should also improve the ride height if they have sagged a bit saving your exhaust from some hammer

[thegamekeeper]

the standard springs are variable rate which I personally think is a bad idea for a sportscar. I always replace with fixed rate.Perhaps I should market my design of spring compressor, it is totally safe and easy to use. I have been hit by flying springs using hook on type tools, never again.If they hit you in the face they could be fatal, I had a spring imprint bruise on my stomach for 2 weeks

[Barkychoc]

Speaking from experience the old springs are too long for AVO's - I spent ages removing them then when I'd finished the car looked like a 4x4 with the spring seats on the lowest setting - so I had to get new springs anyway

The moral of the story is get new springs!

[phillpot]

Barkychoc said:

The moral of the story is get new springs!

Have to agree with that one, although appreciate you mentioned in early post saving to get married !

[wanacoop]

I wish i had got new springs now..

He's rung to say that it's done!! So now I'm just praying it isn't sitting too high, and that the ride is a balance..

Thanks for all the help!

[wanacoop]

Barkychoc said:

Speaking from experience the old springs are too long for AVO's - I spent ages removing them then when I'd finished the car looked like a 4x4 with the spring seats on the lowest setting - so I had to get new springs anyway

The moral of the story is get new springs!

Your bloody moral was right!!

picked her up last night, and by chance, in a small car park, in a small village, she was parked next to another S3!!! and mine looked jacked up at the rear, bit gutted really.

What springs did you end up getting Barkychoc??