installing lowering springs
- Thread starter GMILLION1
- Start date
You shouldn't need anything different from any other macpherson suspension. The rear is even easier than the front, and the front is a very simple design. You'll need to go to autozone or pepboys and rent spring compressors. Just be careful with them, since those springs are designed to hold 500+ lbs before being compressed. Other than that, a few metric sockets and box end wrenches is pretty much all you need. You should be able to find instructions somewhere, but if you bought yourself a bently manual, it would still make everything easier.
By the way - do you have aftermarket shocks for the springs? You can NOT use stock shocks with lowering springs. It will wear the shocks out in a very short time.
By the way - do you have aftermarket shocks for the springs? You can NOT use stock shocks with lowering springs. It will wear the shocks out in a very short time.
Also, if you are lowering the car, you should get all new hardware, and find out what the resize of your bump stop should be in the front. (I'm assuming fronts are McPherson style). BTW, by hardware I mean plates/mounts/bolts/bearings/etc.
And, I've seen the fronts of a Z3; they don't look very complex at all. I would still advise to get the bentley manual and read through the steps a few times before attempting. I've changed struts/shocks/springs mostly on japanese cars (usually have macpherson set up on all four corners; except the supras I've worked on) and judging by what I know of BMW suspensions, there really is no caveat.
Good luck and have some fun.
Sean
And, I've seen the fronts of a Z3; they don't look very complex at all. I would still advise to get the bentley manual and read through the steps a few times before attempting. I've changed struts/shocks/springs mostly on japanese cars (usually have macpherson set up on all four corners; except the supras I've worked on) and judging by what I know of BMW suspensions, there really is no caveat.
Good luck and have some fun.
Sean