Lowering spring install - step by step

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 12:55 am

If you want to save yourself $150 - $200 lowering your Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix. I found this step by step (diy) instructions by Deepstaged Engineering.edit (new link, thanks to MO): http://matrixowners.com/forums...stall

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 6:41 am

Looks way too difficult for my skills...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:00 am

quote:But it is well worth it.. And seems well worth the $100 I'd pay to have it done professionally.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 9:31 am

True...but I don't have access to any of the equipment necessary for this install, plus, I don't have the facilities, PLUS, you start messing with brake lines and stuff, and the one thing on my car I will NOT mess with are brakes...nothing, IMHO, is more important than brakes on the car...

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 11:39 am

Great post rasermon! This may be worth trying. I am looking at getting an estimate. I will let everyone know how much it comes to, but I think it is going to be around $250 with alignment.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 12:39 pm

excellent!! printing it out now!thanks rasermon!!

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 1:36 am

quote:excellent!! printing it out now!thanks rasermon!!Also if you DIY, AutoZone has a "Loan-A-Tool Program". I was just there getting ready for my install and you can rent there Strut Spring Tool for $42 plus tax and keep it as long as you need it. Return it and get all your money back. Has anyone used this type of spring compressor before? Would appreciate any comments.

Attached files

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 1:42 am

never have but i bought my springs their coming in monday, and need a spring compressor. I might just go to a gas station and have them mount the springs on the shock they have spring compressors.

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 1:43 am

only problem im gonna have doing this is jacking up the car...no idea where...someone else said how but that involves jacking up each side 1 at a time, i think that puts too much stress on the car.

cool vibes · Post by **cool vibes** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:08 am

I have used a spring compresser similar to this tool <and it works great<put on both sides and i t will compress the spring all the way down no problems""'

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:26 am

quote:I might just go to a gas station and have them mount the springs on the shock they have spring compressors.I called Midas and they would change all 4 springs over for $70. That is just to remove your stock spring and replace it.

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 11:22 am

(removed)? thats alot...midas is a rip off, im gonna go to my speed shop and have them put the springs on the shock, theres no auto zones around me to get these compressors. Even if i have to buy them, itd probly be cheaper then 70$..

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:23 pm

yeah midas is a ripoff they wanted to put four new tires on a friends car when they inspected it. I have another friend who works at sears tire center and used his depth guage on it and they were well within the legal limit although they were getting close. anyway they were legal they were just ripping him off. This was reported to the state police i dunno if anything ever came of it though.

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 4:17 am

lol.Im going to the dealer monday to have them tell me where to jack up the car since its on the way. I want to know where i can jack it from on the frame.

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 1:38 am

alright i went to the dealer they showed me where to jack it up on the frame. i also went to the local speed shop and got a spring compressor for 32 bucks, not bad . Ill post pics when im done doign this...probly in a long time since im doing springs, strut bar, and rear roll bar.

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:32 am

quote:alright i went to the dealer they showed me where to jack it up on the frame. Please take pics of this while on jack stands.

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 10:38 am

i just saw this and its 9:30...dark already...ill see what i can do. Im gonna do the back tommorow i did the front today. I was kind of busy and had alot of setbacks. Had to go to sears and get a 22mm socket because i didnt have that one, i dont have too many metric. It was easy but some of the bolts are so hard to get off, i had to use a breaker bar for the 2 22 mm ones.

Smokin' Rubber · Post by **Smokin' Rubber** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 5:58 pm

When I jack the car up there is a spot on one of the metal crossbeams underneath the engine. Its the place with the little buldge. The only reason I use this spot is because the jack I have has a little depression that cradles the metal curve nicely and is more stable than it would be lifting a flatter section. Also I would assume that it is one of the stronger parts of the frame since the hitch for towing your car (in case it ever broke down) is right infront of it.And I usually put the jackstands just inside the side loops for towingPlanning on doing the TEIN S Tech springs within the next 2 monthes, hopefully it won't be that hard

Smokin' Rubber · Post by **Smokin' Rubber** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:33 am

Man (removed) when I actually plan on doing deepstaged website got shut down or something or isn't working anymore... not sure if I wanna be flying blind while doing this install since as ragingpointed out it does mess with alot of crucial parts like the drivetrain and the brakes

capachkid · Post by **capachkid** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:21 am

Will someone email the How to to me? I can't access it for some reason. fourdeep@srt.com

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:41 am

http://matrixowners.com/forums...rings Here is the how to, that old one is gone.

ITcar · Post by **ITcar** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:00 am

hey i am getting some s-techs this weekend, and im already planning the install and the link is still good, but all the pics are gone, and pics would be really helpful so i wanted to see if anyone just happened to have them saved to their computer or something? any help would be appreciated

darcmater · Post by **darcmater** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:41 pm

I recently ordered my tein springs and was reading the how to guid, even though Im goign to pay a place to do it all for me. From reading the guide they will have to loosen soem botls thata re in the interior of the car under the plastic parts to do the rear. I sorta have a huge stereo system back there. So am wodnering if its just best to remove it all before takeing it to the shop so don't have to worry about soemoen messign stuff up. Man what a pain to take out, let alone put back in

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:51 am

Quote, originally posted by darcmater Â»I recently ordered my tein springs and was reading the how to guid, even though Im goign to pay a place to do it all for me. From reading the guide they will have to loosen soem botls thata re in the interior of the car under the plastic parts to do the rear. I sorta have a huge stereo system back there. So am wodnering if its just best to remove it all before takeing it to the shop so don't have to worry about soemoen messign stuff up. Man what a pain to take out, let alone put back inIIRC they can get to what they need to from the bck seat... BUT, how safe do you feel about the place.... safe enough that they might not drop anything on your system parts? Safe enough that they might not take off with any of your gear?? The latter of the 2 HAS happened to me... so please, make sure you let the manager know what's in there, take him out prior to the work and SHOW him, and discuss what's going to get disturbed.... protect yourself, nobody else will....

smeadows7 · Post by **smeadows7** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:56 am

I know this is kinda an old thread but I can't access either of the links for the diy spring install. Can anyone help me out?

SmAshley · Post by **SmAshley** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:16 pm

agreed please can someone from the previous posts assist us in finding the link... I have to get researching for my install this spring....thanks in advance

Laserbeak43 · Post by **Laserbeak43** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:50 am

Quote, originally posted by Raven Â» http://matrixowners.com/forums...rings Here is the how to, that old one is gone.so's this one. :/

Unbelievabrah · Post by **Unbelievabrah** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:47 pm

bump, these links are dead. I dont really need a guide, I just need the torque specs for the related suspension components im removing. does anybody have those? I cant seem to find a PDF for the service manual for 1st gen vibes. I have an 06 base.

Lowering spring install - step by step

Lowering spring install - step by step

Re: Lowering spring install - step by step (rasermon)

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Re: Lowering spring install - step by step (scherry2)

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Re: Lowering spring install - step by step (dmitri)

Re: Lowering spring install - step by step (rasermon)

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Re: Lowering spring install - step by step