2h just to fit some springs!?
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I myself am very cautious. I avoid doing dangerous things as I know how much energy these springs store once compressed. Especially since they are technically far too long to install normally. If the front was a McPherson strut, heck, that would be a 5 min job and wouldn't scare anyone...
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I just did this job using 3/8 UNF(20 threads per inch I believe). Very easy on the second side. On the second side I just put the 4 threaded rods in with the catch bolts all the way down at the bottom. I then used the hydraulic jack to lower the pan after the factory bolts were removed. Once the tension was removed from the spring I pulled away the jack and removed the threaded rod. Put the new spring in place, threaded my rod in, used the jack to compress the spring up the shaft, removed one rod at a time to replace with the factory bolts and was done the second side in about 20 minutes.
Unfortunately the new springs still had the front fender 3 inches over the top of the wheel.....doing it again this weekend with one coil removed from the spring. I know cutting the coil isnt the best way to lower the car but I cant afford $ the front coils from Jaguar and I don't trust anything else at this point.
Unfortunately the new springs still had the front fender 3 inches over the top of the wheel.....doing it again this weekend with one coil removed from the spring. I know cutting the coil isnt the best way to lower the car but I cant afford $ the front coils from Jaguar and I don't trust anything else at this point.
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Unfortunately the new springs still had the front fender 3 inches over the top of the wheel.....doing it again this weekend with one coil removed from the spring. I know cutting the coil isnt the best way to lower the car but I cant afford $ the front coils from Jaguar and I don't trust anything else at this point.
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#31
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Daim:
Wow, the Jag shop wants flat rate. Union contract?? Charge less, eat the difference.
So, buy a die and some smooth rod. Make up a set. Add to the tool bin.
When, I was refreshing a really old Lausen one lung four cycle tiller engine, I had no puller that fit to pull the fly wheel. So, I made one.
A bit raggedy from bolts and a large washer. Did the job, assisted by my electric impact wrench. It is on the wall alongside the pro built ones.
Carl
Wow, the Jag shop wants flat rate. Union contract?? Charge less, eat the difference.
So, buy a die and some smooth rod. Make up a set. Add to the tool bin.
When, I was refreshing a really old Lausen one lung four cycle tiller engine, I had no puller that fit to pull the fly wheel. So, I made one.
A bit raggedy from bolts and a large washer. Did the job, assisted by my electric impact wrench. It is on the wall alongside the pro built ones.
Carl
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I think they put them in a bottle somewhere in Britain, put a cork in the end and threw it into the North Sea. Somewhere where it landed, some person checked the address, said "not me" and threw it back in again...
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I think you're taking a lot of risk replacing a pair of front springs using a length of threaded bar and a couple of nuts and washers. The Jaguar recommended tool is specially constructed and most Jaguar agents will have one. It is made of high strength steel and allows the spring to be compressed, the spring pan to be removed and then the spring slowly released and lowered and a new spring inserted, compressed and the spring pan put back..
Great danger awaits anybody who cobbles together a spring compression tool with unknown material. These compressed springs have a lot of energy stored that if suddenly released can cause serious injury.
If the labour rate at a Jaguar dealer is one hour per spring that is a very good rate, and worth it. Even two hours a side is good, I'd say.
Great danger awaits anybody who cobbles together a spring compression tool with unknown material. These compressed springs have a lot of energy stored that if suddenly released can cause serious injury.
If the labour rate at a Jaguar dealer is one hour per spring that is a very good rate, and worth it. Even two hours a side is good, I'd say.