easy way to remove coil springs?

[supr88]

was out in the garage working on some other stuff, and thought of something.
instead of removing the strut, and then using a spring compressor to compress the spring, then removing it from the shock why not:
undo the top nut of the shock with weight still on the wheels, so the spring is free to extend all the way. Then jack the car up one corner at a time so the weight is slowly released from the spring. Then to put the new spring back on do the same thing in reverse using the weight of the car to compress the spring then doing up the top nut on the shock. I figure this way, I wont have to deal with springs under pressure in a tool that could possibly slip off the coils, and coil spring compressors generally arent too user friendly in my experience.
anyone think this sounds like a good idea or has used this technique before? any reason it wouldnt work?

 

[Steely]

interested....

 

[got_boosted]

I lowered my 91T this way. Just be careful and make sure that the spring is unloaded before putting your fingers anywhere near it. It saved me lots of time, and, like you said, I didn't have to mess with an annoying coil spring compressor.

Collin

 

[supr88]

very good thanks..
should be safer this way, since you dont have to remove a spring loaded death trap, then compress another one on there. the tension of the spring is slowly and safely released.

 

[sneakypete]

in my experience, using a spring compressor isnt such a pain in the ass. nor was it hard to take off or put on a new one

 

[Poodles]

You car is a huge spring compresser in this case and it's still a deathtrap...

 

[hvyman]

if your lowering it you might not even need a spring compressor for the new springs. i didn't.

 

[thebadz32]

ive never used a spring compressor just lay the strut on the groung stand on the spring and take an impact gun to the nut on the end. Doesnt sound safe but theres never been any kind of problems just all comes apart slow and easy.

 

[Isphius]

Seems like an interesting idea. i dont think i would try it. Just remember to be 2% smarter than what your working on

 

[supr88]

ive never used a spring compressor just lay the strut on the groung stand on the spring and take an impact gun to the nut on the end. Doesnt sound safe but theres never been any kind of problems just all comes apart slow and easy.

ive done that before too, but for safety I borrowed a door mat and put that over the spring and stood on it, just incase she went! wasnt such a smart idea, it did end up shooting the top cap across the driveway but worked.. those were the days.

 

[ForcedTorque]

IF this were such a great idea........why would they have invented the spring compressor???????

Where's IJ with his train wreck?