Mk1 Focus Rear Spring Replace

[Rsohyes]

Ive looked online and found a guide how to change the rear springs, but alot of people say that one of the bolts that needs undone will be seized and will most likely have to be cut out.

Is it possible to use spring compressors to remove the spring without having to undo any bolts?
It has lowered springs on already and will be replaced with other lowered springs.

[asn163]

IIRC I managed to change a broken rear spring on my 51 reg. Focus by using a spring compressor. Biggest issue I had was getting enough clearance to get the spring/compressor out from under the car and then getting the compressor off the new spring when refitting.

[neiljohnson]

You can do it if you just undo the shock & lever the suspension down its a pita doing it this way but saves messing round with seized bolts & bushes

[Rsohyes]

so if i put the car on Stands, jack up the lower arm, unbolt the damper, then jack down the arm the spring should come out?

[neiljohnson]

It's not quite that straight forward although will be easier with shorter springs you will likely need two of you to do it

[Joe M]

How did you get on with this Rsohyes? I swapped the front springs on my ST170 last night but gave up on the rears, spring compressors I had werent suitable.

Wow, cant beleive how long ive been lurking on here and this is my first post!

[skeneo]

its not too bad a job with some thought. heres how i did my mates without taking the suspension down and having to replace bushes etc.

his car was lowered so removing old springs was a doddle.
to get new springs in I compressed the new standard springs to the max so the were roughly the same size as the lowered ones( used a hydraulic spring press but normal spring compressors would do)
then get some thin metal bar (x2) 2-3mm thick, 10mm ish wide to make up bands to keep the spring compressed. bolt down the bands. Gently release the compressor in case bands slip, replace spring into back axle. either unbolt the bands or cut with a grinder and fish them out from the spring. savedd a lot of hassle and ££!