HELP! How do I get my OEM spring back on?

jahmed78 · 01-01-2011, 12:49 AM

I bought the front lowering perches from SupremePower and got them on to my OEM spring. The spring is compressed quite a bit but when I put it back oover the shocks and want to screw the perch and cover back on with the nut in the middle, my perch is sitting too high. I can't even get the nut on there...I can barely see the top of the part I'm supposed to screw it on. When I had unscrewed the nut in the first place, the OEM perch and cap sort of shot off. So I'm guessing somehow I need to force it down but not sure how. Anyone else run into this issue? Appreciate any ideas...Happy New Year!

jahmed78 · 01-01-2011, 02:27 AM

bump

Casca · 01-01-2011, 10:36 AM

I am sure you have two spring compressors on there, but I can't see the other side and just to be sure.....you do have another compressor on the other side right?

Also, I bought a heavy duty spring compressor when I set off to put coilovers on my Ford and BMW. That compressor worked great on the Ford, but when it came time to do the Bimmer, it was too thick to grab a good enough length of the spring to compress it enough. I went to Harbor Freight and got a cheapo spring compressor with skinny arms that was able to fit into tighter spaces. You need to compress more of the spring. Looks liek you got two, maybe three coils of that spring at best.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...-set-3980.html

Also, you know that the strut center needs to be held stationary with an allen/torx while you tighten the nut on or it will just spin right? Very possible you didn't have to hold it stationary when removing because you had alot of tension on it.....

Malibu1 · 01-01-2011, 12:59 PM

If your strut is worn out, the strut rod will sink down into the strut. If this is the case, you have to use something to hold the strut rod out in the extended position while putting on your top hat stuff.

jahmed78 · 01-01-2011, 03:17 PM

thanks for the tips! i'll try those today

Tzu · 01-01-2011, 09:56 PM

Be careful. There is a lot of force in those springs when you compress them and pull them off the strut.

DimSum · 01-01-2011, 11:34 PM

You need a legit spring compressor. be-careful, if the spring slips off, it can seriously blow up in your face or chest which can give you deadly injuries....

jahmed78 · 01-02-2011, 05:32 AM

thanks guys...those compressed springs were definitely scary

so after about 2 days of work and a sore back, I'm finally done with the install!!!

my problem was that the OEM sport spring just needed to be compressed more...A LOT MORE. all the DYIs are switching to lowering springs which are much smaller. I borrowed 1 set of compressors as shown in the pic from O'Reillys and then had to get a second set as well. To get the spring compressed enough I had to use 4 compressors at one time! It was sooooo time consuming since all the screwing was done by hand using a torque wrench and a regular wrench (hand wrench used most of the time due to lack of *******. not to mention, a lot of trial and error...

after getting the car off the jacks it actually looked higher! but then it settled after some driving and the drop in the front looks great! it went from a 2 finger gap to about 1.25 fingers, sitting really nicely right above my huge 20" wheels. (pics coming tomorrow...it's 3am for me right now) i'm really happy with the turn out and i'm sure if i was a little more experienced it wouldn't have taken 2 days. $70 well spent!!!

jahmed78 · 01-02-2011, 05:45 AM

...and i think need an alignment now...

stressdoc · 01-02-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jahmed78

...and i think need an alignment now...

Yes you do.

Babydragon · 01-02-2011, 10:25 AM

Pics!!!

01-01-2011, 12:49 AM	#1
jahmed78 Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	HELP! How do I get my OEM spring back on? I bought the front lowering perches from SupremePower and got them on to my OEM spring. The spring is compressed quite a bit but when I put it back oover the shocks and want to screw the perch and cover back on with the nut in the middle, my perch is sitting too high. I can't even get the nut on there...I can barely see the top of the part I'm supposed to screw it on. When I had unscrewed the nut in the first place, the OEM perch and cap sort of shot off. So I'm guessing somehow I need to force it down but not sure how. Anyone else run into this issue? Appreciate any ideas...Happy New Year! __________________ 2007 335i e90 - black on black w/wood trim and iDrive 19" BMW M-Performance wheels, ST coilovers, m3 rep front bumper and skirts, CF Hamann rep diffuser, Remus Race quad exhaust, aFe DCI, LED angel eyes & DRL kit,
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01-01-2011, 02:27 AM	#2
jahmed78 Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	bump __________________ 2007 335i e90 - black on black w/wood trim and iDrive 19" BMW M-Performance wheels, ST coilovers, m3 rep front bumper and skirts, CF Hamann rep diffuser, Remus Race quad exhaust, aFe DCI, LED angel eyes & DRL kit,
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01-01-2011, 10:36 AM	#3
Casca Captain 41 Rep 642 Posts Drives: E90 6MT Join Date: May 2010 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I am sure you have two spring compressors on there, but I can't see the other side and just to be sure.....you do have another compressor on the other side right? Also, I bought a heavy duty spring compressor when I set off to put coilovers on my Ford and BMW. That compressor worked great on the Ford, but when it came time to do the Bimmer, it was too thick to grab a good enough length of the spring to compress it enough. I went to Harbor Freight and got a cheapo spring compressor with skinny arms that was able to fit into tighter spaces. You need to compress more of the spring. Looks liek you got two, maybe three coils of that spring at best. http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...-set-3980.html Also, you know that the strut center needs to be held stationary with an allen/torx while you tighten the nut on or it will just spin right? Very possible you didn't have to hold it stationary when removing because you had alot of tension on it..... Last edited by Casca; 01-01-2011 at 10:42 AM..
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01-01-2011, 12:59 PM	#4
Malibu1 First Lieutenant 36 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Charger HC, Backdraft Cobra Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington State iTrader: (2)	If your strut is worn out, the strut rod will sink down into the strut. If this is the case, you have to use something to hold the strut rod out in the extended position while putting on your top hat stuff.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2011, 03:17 PM	#5
jahmed78 Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	thanks for the tips! i'll try those today __________________ 2007 335i e90 - black on black w/wood trim and iDrive 19" BMW M-Performance wheels, ST coilovers, m3 rep front bumper and skirts, CF Hamann rep diffuser, Remus Race quad exhaust, aFe DCI, LED angel eyes & DRL kit,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2011, 09:56 PM	#6
Tzu Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,551 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Be careful. There is a lot of force in those springs when you compress them and pull them off the strut.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2011, 11:34 PM	#7
DimSum Banned 202 Rep 2,740 Posts Drives: SLOW Join Date: May 2008 Location: LITTLEBIMMER.COM iTrader: (10)	You need a legit spring compressor. be-careful, if the spring slips off, it can seriously blow up in your face or chest which can give you deadly injuries....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2011, 05:32 AM	#8
jahmed78 Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	thanks guys...those compressed springs were definitely scary so after about 2 days of work and a sore back, I'm finally done with the install!!! my problem was that the OEM sport spring just needed to be compressed more...A LOT MORE. all the DYIs are switching to lowering springs which are much smaller. I borrowed 1 set of compressors as shown in the pic from O'Reillys and then had to get a second set as well. To get the spring compressed enough I had to use 4 compressors at one time! It was sooooo time consuming since all the screwing was done by hand using a torque wrench and a regular wrench (hand wrench used most of the time due to lack of *****. not to mention, a lot of trial and error... after getting the car off the jacks it actually looked higher! but then it settled after some driving and the drop in the front looks great! it went from a 2 finger gap to about 1.25 fingers, sitting really nicely right above my huge 20" wheels. (pics coming tomorrow...it's 3am for me right now) i'm really happy with the turn out and i'm sure if i was a little more experienced it wouldn't have taken 2 days. $70 well spent!!! __________________ 2007 335i e90 - black on black w/wood trim and iDrive** 19" BMW M-Performance wheels, ST coilovers, m3 rep front bumper and skirts, CF Hamann rep diffuser, Remus Race quad exhaust, aFe DCI, LED angel eyes & DRL kit,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2011, 05:45 AM	#9
jahmed78 Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	...and i think need an alignment now... __________________ 2007 335i e90 - black on black w/wood trim and iDrive 19" BMW M-Performance wheels, ST coilovers, m3 rep front bumper and skirts, CF Hamann rep diffuser, Remus Race quad exhaust, aFe DCI, LED angel eyes & DRL kit,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2011, 10:25 AM	#11
Babydragon Captain 35 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chic/ago iTrader: (0)	Pics!!!
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