Fitting Springs to Dampers

[eddiecool12]

Chaps,

I was wondering if anyone can help me, I am changing the dampers on my S1 Elise this weekend and was wondering how easy it is to transfer the coil spring from the old damper to the new damper?

Do I need any special tools?

If anyone can provide me with guidance on this it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

[Rich H]

You need proper spring compressors or get a half decent garage to do it for you.
Not a difficult job but has potential for injury is anythign slips or breaks.

You need to compress the springs, dislodge the spring seats, remove the circlip then release the spring. It will all come apart then.
Oppositeto fit them.

That is the theory, but I have never done it myself.

Good luck!

[jj]

I read about this when I needed to switch springs from one set of dampers to the other and in the end opted to get someone to do it- stories of springs in eyes put me off!

Collins in Johnstone did it for me at much much cheapness, just gave him the the old damper with spring attached and the new damper and they used their spring compressor to swap them - they are on 01505336666

[whaleys]

I have done this before (not to an elise, but to a VW polo), a good long while ago, but did do it. You just need a set of 2 spring compressors (which I have somewhere) but they are quite cheap. The are basically just two hooks on a threaded bar, which you then tighten that compresses the spring. I've seen it done with one compressor but I would really just get two cause it looks dangerous. One compressor each side and then you are free to work away. Once the damper is off the car it's really straight forward and quite quick. I must admit though, I kept the whole thing at arms length with a funny face.

Its pretty much what RICHARDHUMBLE said.

[MacK]

The are basically just two hooks on a threaded bar, which you then tighten that compresses the spring. I've seen it done with one compressor but I would really just get two cause it looks dangerous. One compressor each side and then you are free to work away.

I thought the elise springs were different from 'normal' and these compressors didn't fit, or if they did they didn't fit well and added a whole other adventure to changing springs

[whaleys]

I thought the elise springs were different from 'normal' and these compressors didn't fit, or if they did they didn't fit well and added a whole other adventure to changing springs

Like I said twas on a polo so not sure about the requirements for the elise. But if you could get the right compressors, it is straight forward and could be done even if you arent a mechanical wiz.

Oh but still keep them pointing in the opposite direction from your face at arms length

[Matelotman]

My "normal" spring compressors fitted my elise springs with a fight (and a vice as a third hand - who doesn't need a third hand ?? )....

Be ultra careful with springs under compression - you probably don't need to imagine too much what would happen if the spring let go and hit you or anyone else.... end of safety anouncement

[campbell]

Mainstream spring compressors don't fit the Elise spring/damper combo very well due to small clearance between spring and damper body. But it can be done, and a technophobe like me has actually done it successfully!

However it is nerve-racking due to the wound up energy involved and risks, so my advice is take your bits to a friendly garage or Kwik Fit, offer a round of beers for the boys for swapping em while you are at the shops, then job's a carrot.

If you do do it yourself, pay close attention to the setting of the spring platform, S1 Konis can have up to 3 settings and a weird combination of damper age, spring type and car vintage are all involved in getting the right one. Wrong one = wrong ride height and potentially poor results.

What changes exactly are you making, out of interest?