protege2L

I am about to lower my 2001 2.0 pro. My problem is is there any way I can lower it without using a compressor or do i have to?
please help. Also what has to come off for the spring to slide out?

Sir Nuke

YES, you have to use one....if you don't you are just asking to get hurt bad....

you have to remove all four struts/spring assymblies....disassemble them....remove the old springs, reassemble with your new springs, then reinstall the strut assemblies...

then take your car and have a four wheel alignment done.....

you are now ridin low !

JDMstuff

I can be done without a compressor, but it is highly recommended. If you don't have access to one, and you absoultely need to lower your car, you can loosen the retaining bolts while the car is on the ground. This way, the spring will decompress while you're jacking up the car. You would do the same when you put them back on, just put the retaining nut on last when the car is on the ground. You will probabaly need someone to guide the shaft back in, but it is possible to do it. Again, it's not the best way, but it is possible. Just go and rent one at an auto parts store.

Sweedenhouse

Yeah I'm kinda weird when I lower cars. I don't use a spring compressor either. Its more fun (although more dangerous) to sit around and stand ont he srping while you loosne the retaining nut at the top of the strut and then watch and see how far you can shoot the cap across the driveway. But once again that method is probably not recommended by anyone, I'm just its possible to do without one, I know because I do it. Well there was one time I used a compressor, and that was on a Benz, and only bcause the springs were seperate from the strut, but that's a different story.
I know a spring compressor sounds like some crazy tool or sumthin, but its not. Its just a stupid bolt with these hook thingies on it to attach to the coils. Good luck.

protege2L

thanks alot gys im gonna do it saturday hopefully everything works good

zeus

One more word on compressing springs; I use a motorcycle tie down strap looped thru the spring. It's safe, fast and easy. A piece of rope double wrapped around the lower strut body over the top of the spring works too, it's just not as safe. Spring compressors are just a time consuming PTA for me. But if you don't feel safe doing it without a compressor, by all means use one.

Also with lowering springs you probably won't need anything to put it back together. Just one hand to compress the spring, and the other to install the nut.

kosmicride

Hope you got air tools or your gonna be wrenching alot