Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
LeeCarey
Registered user
Posts: 53
Joined: 20 Mar 2006, 13:56
80-90 Mem No: 4966
Location: Sutton

Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by LeeCarey »

Hi all, the van has given me the task of replacing the rear springs where one has snapped.

Lots of mixed reviews on the compression tools. Any recommendations. Also any gotchas to look out for when doing the job. Looks relatively simple but hazardous from what I've looked up

Thanks
Club 80-90 Member 4966
T25 Transporter 1984
2.0l CU Engine

User avatar
T3luestar
Registered user
Posts: 622
Joined: 07 May 2012, 10:31
80-90 Mem No: 13845
Location: Widnes

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by T3luestar »


User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 6571
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
Contact:

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by Aidan »

no compression tool required to change the rear springs, just undo the lower damper bolt and pull the trailing arm down so the spring pops over the turret, if the arm wont swivel down then you have bolt corroded in sleeve but sleeve still bonded issue(s) on the two bushes that hold the arm to the body

Obviously you need the wheel in the air and the van safely on axle stand and chocked to do this but that's the way to do it

LeeCarey
Registered user
Posts: 53
Joined: 20 Mar 2006, 13:56
80-90 Mem No: 4966
Location: Sutton

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by LeeCarey »

Great many thanks, parts ordered, will give it a go at the weekend :ok
Club 80-90 Member 4966
T25 Transporter 1984
2.0l CU Engine

weimarbus
Registered user
Posts: 808
Joined: 19 Jun 2010, 12:53
80-90 Mem No: 10165
Location: coulsdon

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by weimarbus »

You may need to undo the inner cv joint to allow the arm to drop enough for the spring to come off the turrets, my nearside was easy, drivers side needed the cv undone. 
1985 hi-top 2.1MV with DG carb and LPG
1955 trials buggy with 1.9 DG high lift cam and twin dell's (now sold)
1972 1303 beetle
1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro estate
1967 Vw  Madison kit

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 18938
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by R0B »

Thats odd. I didn't have to undo my CV to replace my shocks and springs. I don't know if my springs being -30 had anything to do with it.


2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

User avatar
slowcoach
Registered user
Posts: 1595
Joined: 06 May 2010, 10:23
80-90 Mem No: 8892
Location: West Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by slowcoach »

I've always had to really heave on the trailing arm, and crow bar the spring free of the turrets. I imagine there's a lot of different spring lengths out there by now. I'm 'stock' height but it's still a wrench.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

===================
1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed

Stesaw
Registered user
Posts: 1938
Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
80-90 Mem No: 17004
Location: Coventry

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by Stesaw »

Never had to disconnect a CV to get the spring off the arm, perhaps trying to fit a taller spring might require that? Once the shocks off
sometimes a bit of a boot with the foot to push it down a bit (make sure its jacked up and on stands before jumping around on things!) as the arms a bit stiff on the bushes.. never had to resort to and real violence of any sorts.. well, not with the rear anyway  :lol:
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

User avatar
toolsntat
Registered user
Posts: 1110
Joined: 28 Oct 2005, 22:41
80-90 Mem No: 644
Location: Leicesterish

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by toolsntat »

Back a few years now I asked Marcus @mercdoctor about doing this.
He said pop by and within minutes he had jacked it up whipped off the nut and bolt on the bottom of the shocker and changed the standard length spring.
Wouldn't take a penny.
Top bloke 8)
Cheers, Andy
------------------
"GOT ANY OLD TOOLS??"
"WANT ANY OLD TOOLS??"
WANTED old treadle lathe please......
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1980 2.0L Aircooled Blue Hightop Holdsworth Villa Camper
2002 White 2.0l 280 td swb hightop Tranzit works van

LeeCarey
Registered user
Posts: 53
Joined: 20 Mar 2006, 13:56
80-90 Mem No: 4966
Location: Sutton

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by LeeCarey »

All done with a bit of pulling and shoving but when compressed, the spring appears to rub against the square metal housing. All seems central enough and fitted correctly in the top and bottom boots.
Am I missing something, springs seen correct

Cheers
Club 80-90 Member 4966
T25 Transporter 1984
2.0l CU Engine

User avatar
T3luestar
Registered user
Posts: 622
Joined: 07 May 2012, 10:31
80-90 Mem No: 13845
Location: Widnes

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by T3luestar »

What spring's have you fitted?

LeeCarey
Registered user
Posts: 53
Joined: 20 Mar 2006, 13:56
80-90 Mem No: 4966
Location: Sutton

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by LeeCarey »

Brickwerks standard rear suspension. They just seem slightly wider when compressed so rubbing on the side of upper metal box.
I'll take for a run and see if it sorts itself out

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Club 80-90 Member 4966
T25 Transporter 1984
2.0l CU Engine

tandemsandy
Registered user
Posts: 128
Joined: 01 May 2011, 22:33
80-90 Mem No: 9604
Location: Dunoon, Scotland

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by tandemsandy »

Is it possible the upper spring seat & 'top hat' is corroded and the top of the spring isn't locating centrally?  I went to replace Vinnie's rear springs last year as the rear had dropped so assumed broken springs.  Turned out the upper mount was rotten both side, so the springs (both intact!) had started to embedded themselves into/thru the mount.  I fabricated new uppers from thick plate but had to get the top hat in the right place central to the plate. 

Rob
Sandy & Rob live with Vinnie, an '84 1.9 DG Leisuredrive

LeeCarey
Registered user
Posts: 53
Joined: 20 Mar 2006, 13:56
80-90 Mem No: 4966
Location: Sutton

Re: Rear Springs Replacement - Compression Tool

Post by LeeCarey »

Took for a run and went like a charm. Thanks for all the advice
Club 80-90 Member 4966
T25 Transporter 1984
2.0l CU Engine

Post Reply