How dangerous is it to install some lowered springs? I have a mate who is a first yr apprentice and he has the tools to stick my springs in at his house (Well, he said he could borrow the tools from his work..).
Is there any risk in this? Is there anything that could go wrong? Anything I should watch out for? I really dont want a dodgy install...

As long as you have spring compressors and know how to use them it is relatively safe.
If you undo the top nut on the shock with out compressors and looking over the top, the spring pressure will fire off the strut top and you can pretty much say goodbye to your head. Granted that is the worst case scenario.
Also when changing springs, note the how it all lines up before pulling it apart. That way you can put it all back in the way it came out.
Its very easy to get it wrong and when its in and you here clunking, pull it out and redo.

Gonna be replacing my shocks hopefully this weekend, so will be taking out my lowered springs and re-installing. Just got a few questions....
I read on here awhile ago that the drivers side spring was more stiff or something than the left hand side? Is this true? Would this be the same with my king springs? They looked identical when I installed them awhile ago so just presumed they were exactly the same...

Also, is there a certain way the spring should be put it/facing? (ie, should the bottom end of the spring, the cut bit, be facing towards the engine, out, forward, or doesnt it matter?)

Just wanting to make sure I get them right when I re-install as they wont be coming out for a while after that!

The front springs are different, you'll know what I mean when you see it. You have to match the correct spring to the correct seat otherwise it won't be seated properly.

As for safety, I did mine over the weekend with AMC NSW boys in a carwash. Took 3 hours. Drove off, the front right became unseated, then just pulled it out and redid it.

The guys I did it with had some experience, I would never do it blind lol.

There is a way they are installed, you will note this upon installation.
Never, EVER put your body directly over the top of the spring/shock when compressed for safety reasons.
Umm also check to make sure you have good bump stops, if not, get some and do it all at once.

It's a fairly simple process, just be very safe!!!

The front springs are different, you'll know what I mean when you see it. You have to match the correct spring to the correct seat otherwise it won't be seated properly.

As for safety, I did mine over the weekend with AMC NSW boys in a carwash. Took 3 hours. Drove off, the front right became unseated, then just pulled it out and redid it.

The guys I did it with had some experience, I would never do it blind lol.

Oh ok..... hmmmmm they both seemed to fit fine when I installed them a while ago, maybe I got lucky.... 50/50chance I got it correct anyway....lol
Will def have a good look when I take them out again, just to make sure the springs are the right ones....

Looking at the actual shock absorbers I cant seem to see any differences in shape of the metal thing at the bottom which holds the spring? Do you think the spring would say 'R' and 'L' on them?

Hopefully the bump stops are ok! Dont wanna have to fork out any more monies....
Thanks guys!

You may find this Autospeed article (http://autospeed.com/cms/A_111167/article.html) of interest.

Andy.

Installed my front shocks today!
Took off both springs and shocks, had a good look at them, and could not tell the difference..... One spring looked like it could have been like 2cm longer, so thats the one I used on the drivers side (Thinking more coil, more firm). Anyway, the new shocks seem to have jacked up my car probably around 1"!! Got king lows all around, and used to be level, not anymore! lol
I have found now that the drivers side seems to be a little higher than the other side (Wouldnt think that the 2cm extra spring it had would make a difference....), is this right??

One of the old shocks was completely screwed (When I pushed in the piston it didnt come back out lol, plus it was really easy to push down..), the other one seemed ok...

Will be doing the rears tommorrow!

Installed my front shocks today!
Took off both springs and shocks, had a good look at them, and could not tell the difference..... ]One spring looked like it could have been like 2cm longer, so thats the one I used on the drivers side (Thinking more coil, more firm). [B]Anyway, the new shocks seem to have jacked up my car probably around 1"!! Got king lows all around, and used to be level, not anymore! lol
I have found now that the drivers side seems to be a little higher than the other side (Wouldnt think that the 2cm extra spring it had would make a difference....), is this right??

One of the old shocks was completely screwed (When I pushed in the piston it didnt come back out lol, plus it was really easy to push down..), the other one seemed ok...

Will be doing the rears tommorrow!

You got it right. The slightly longer of the two springs goes on the drivers side.

Cheers

Kings do not have a left and right for the front, they are both the same spring, if one is appearing slightly longer may just be the angle you are looking at it

I assume you have fitted the Bogue you got from me, how are you finding them

On the topic of changing springs, and not wanting to start a new topic, if I wanted to put slightly lowered springs in the front of my TJ (say, King lows), will I need to change my shocks. They are in decent condition (car is just under 100k's old). Mainly for cosmetic reasons, leaving the rears standard because I tow a bit with it.

Cheers, Greg.

On the topic of changing springs, and not wanting to start a new topic, if I wanted to put slightly lowered springs in the front of my TJ (say, King lows), will I need to change my shocks. They are in decent condition (car is just under 100k's old). Mainly for cosmetic reasons, leaving the rears standard because I tow a bit with it.
It's just as much labour to change both, and by 100k your shocks will be heading towards replacement. I'd replace them. I could be wrong on this part, but I thought that the lower springs will wear out the stock ones quicker too.

I'd lower the back while you're at it. Lows are about a 45mm drop, so to keep the standard springs in the back would look a bit goofy. King springs are about 25-30% stiffer than stock so you shouldn't be at a disadvantage while towing. Or if you put Lows in the front, put Low SPs in the rear (similar spring rate but 15mm higher).

Kings do not have a left and right for the front, they are both the same spring, if one is appearing slightly longer may just be the angle you are looking at it

I assume you have fitted the Bogue you got from me, how are you finding them

Hey Mal,
Yeeep, But only installed the fronts so far, gotta do the rears today (Or maybe tommorrow)! My old front two shocks definately needed replacing! One was completely dead, and the other one half dead (Was easy to push down the piston until the last 6cm where it went firm like its supposed to be.. im guessing they were the originals that came with the car!!)
Will be good to see how the old rears are going! Car looks fairly dumped at the rear with king lows, so two rears could be completely dead...(Or could be the weight of my boot...). Actually would be good if the shocks lifted it slightly... Getting a bit low for my liking.....lol Anyway, we'll see!

Edit: Yeah, prob was the angle I was looking at...

Just finished doing my rears! Took awhile, but saved me loads of money doing it myself so its all good (Got quoted $400 to install springs awhile back, so im guessing it will be the same for installing shocks.., so for 2 days work a saving of $400 isnt bad...)

Was crapping my pants for a little though, the top nut on the strut is locked onto the piston, so when you twise the nut the piston turns... Anyway your supposed to hold on this little metal thing just above the thread where the nut goes on, and undo the nut at the same time, but as I was trying to get the nut off, the little metal bit snapped off!!! Thought I was screwed as I had nothing to grip onto to stop the piston turning.... anyway realised that the new shock has a new thread and metal on top anyway, so decided to just grip the thread of the old shock with my locking pliers (Dont know what they are actually called).... managed to completely rip the thread, but still managed to get the nut off!! Pheewwff...

Havent managed to go for a test drive yet as some parent has come to pick up their kid from our house and their car is blocking the driveway..... rgggg
They always do this..... everytime somebody comes over they always park in the middle of our driveway! Usually I gotta go up to them and ask them to move their car as I need to go to work or whatever.... its very annoying... Wish they would just park at the bottom or at the top, not blocking the driveway....

I assume you have fitted the Bogue you got from me, how are you finding them

Had them on for a few days now and are 'veryyy niceee'! ALOT less bodyroll that before, although Im pretty sure thats because I was riding on the dead shocks before, so I was riding on springs when I went around corners.... Also noticing the ride is alot more firm!
Unfortunately the front two bump-stops were in bad condition (Dead shocks prob meant that the shocks were hitting the bumpstop on every decent bump....) So yeah, they were looking like they got molested..... had no monies though, so they will have to do til I buy some more...
Anyway, going over speedbumps ect now is so much nicer, Used to be just embarressing (Big crunch, car would bounce around for a few meters after the bump......), so its much better now!! :D
Cheers mal!

taking the springs off with out spring compressors hurt! i got side tracked thanks to a mate that wouldnt shut up when i lowered my old te and i got a broken nose and a black eye (yes yes i know i am gonna hear about this one but please hold the laughs! USE THE SPRING COMPRESSORS FOR GODS SAKE OR AT LEAST YOUR OWN!