[s-cars] '94 UrS4 rear spring replacement

[Fred Munro]

That spring compressor will likely have to be used with the strut off the
car.
I have replaced the rear springs on my S4 and S6 using a standard bolt-type
spring compressor with the strut off the car.
If your problem is that you have the strut bolted in at the top and the
bottom shock bolt won't go in, what I usually do is put a small hydraulic
bottle jack under the bottom of the shock eye and raise the jack just enough
to push the shock eye up until the bolt slides in. 
There is a tremendous amount of force stored in a compressed auto spring. Be
very careful when working with them. I don't even fully trust a spring
compressor, and would never use a chain, cable, or rope to secure a
compressed spring.
Years ago one of the local lads was changing the front coil springs in his
Chebby pick-em-up. His plan, which had always worked well in the past, was
to compress the spring under the bucket of his front-end loader, chain it
up, put it in the truck, and cut the chain. Unfortunately, as he was putting
on the chain, the spring got out from under the bucket, bounced off the
garage wall, and hit him full in the face. There is only so much
reconstructive surgery can do, and it couldn't do much for him. I always
think of that story when I'm working with springs. My face may not be much,
but I've grown attached to it over the years :).

Good luck!

Fred Munro
'97 S6

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Theodore Chen
Sent: April 15, 2010 4:19 AM
To: Duncan Thomson; S-CAR list
Subject: Re: [s-cars] '94 UrS4 rear spring replacement

There are different styles of spring compressors out there.  I got this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43753
I haven't tried it on the UrS4 yet, though.

Other methods I've seen involve compressing the spring off the car, then
using hose clamps, cable, nylon rope, etc. to keep the spring compressed.
After installing the assembly, cut the rope, cable, etc.  Use this method at
your own risk.


----- Original Message ----
From: Duncan Thomson <thomson.duncan at gmail.com>
To: S-CAR list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Thu, April 15, 2010 12:54:34 AM
Subject: [s-cars] '94 UrS4 rear spring replacement

Anyone have any advice, or a written up procedure on replacement of the
rear springs?
I managed to get the assembly out, and mostly back in, but now can't get
the bottom bolt in.
I need to compress the strut, but I am really having trouble fitting the
spring compressors in there.

I have managed so far without removing anything other than the wheel and
the strut itself. Is there something else I should remove to find more
space?

Thanks for any help!
Duncan

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