Spring Installation on an MP5
 

I am receiving a set of H&R springs in a few weeks, and am wondering if anyone has any instructions/pictures to help me install them.

I've been searching the web for days, but can't seem to find anything. Any help would be appreciated.

If you have never worked on a the suspension of a car before I would not recommend diving into it yourself. If you have any friends that have done the installation before that would be very helpful. Hell, it would be great to have a couple pairs of hands anyway.

If you insist on doing it yourself you will need to pick up a shop manual of some sort. I own a 93 to 98 Mazda mx-6, 626, Ford Probe Se/GT manual from Pep boys or something, and there are many similarities between those cars and our's. The process won't be exactly the same (some bolts are different sizes and in slightly different places i.e. front swaybar endlinks) The entire strut assembly needs to be removed and a high quality spring compressor is needed to remove coil springs + install the new ones.

After you are finished be sure to take the car to get aligned immediatly. The camber will change dramatically and if you were drunk when you installed the springs the castor maybe off too.

Some one just posted a site with Instructions for changing the springs in a P5 here about 3 or 4 days ago. You should be able to find it.

OK, so I lied
 

Actually, They are instructions for the Ground Control coil-overs... but the site does show you how to take the strut/spring assembly apart. I imagine you would just follow that procedure to the point where you can get the spring off and put the new one on, then start putting everything back together again.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=8936

I think that the pain in installing the spring yourself is the need for a spring compressor... the last time I did this (friend's VW Golf) we got access to one at the auto shop his father worked at...

I am pretty sure that there is no easy way to get one on without the right tool... but that is from limited knowledge on the subject.

If you're in a bind and can't find a spring compressor (highly recommended for safety reasons.) you can loosen the top retaining nut and let the weight of the car help you slowly release the pressure from the springs. Also, don't forget to support the car on jackstands while you're working on it.

In regards to a spring compressor, you can easily get one through your local Auto Zone's loan a tool service or whatever they call it. It is free, you just put a deposit on it, which gets redeemed when you return the compressor