Suspension Springs, Shocks, Brakes

Should I DIY or pay for it...

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Old 07-06-2015, 06:23 PM
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Should I DIY or pay for it...

So I'm thinking about possibly buying some lowering springs and am just curious if I should pay someone to install them or if it is easy enough for me to do on a saturday afternoon.

It doesn't look too difficult but don't really think I'd want to risk it if it is.
Old 07-06-2015, 06:30 PM
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Altho I have never done it on a cobalt I know from other cars I have worked on that you will need some way of compressing the front struts to change the springs out. Not something I would do in the backyard if you aren't too experienced.
Old 07-06-2015, 06:45 PM
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I did mine myself, having never changed springs on any car before in my life. The only thing I had issues with was, like Blairwolf said, getting the nuts off the front struts. I was able to use air tools to get them off. You could take the struts off and take them to a shop to swap out the springs I guess. Would still be a lot cheaper than having all the work done there. I was quoted 800 bucks once to replace my springs lol
Old 07-06-2015, 07:15 PM
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I did my springs. I say its pretty simple of you have an idea on what your doing
Old 07-06-2015, 07:53 PM
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Should I DIY or pay for it...

Just follow the how to on here. Everything is pretty simple besides getting the top nut off the strut. A big pair of pliers and a impact will fix that tho. Shouldnt take more than a couple hours if you know your way around a car.
Old 07-06-2015, 08:37 PM
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$60 deposit from advanced auto and when you take the compressor tool back you get your $60 back. Read the directions on the case the tool comes in and you will be good. And the rear is so simple, it's seriously 2 bolts total which is one on the bottom of each shock. You might wanna put a jack on the rear axle with slight pressure then once you take the bolts out on each side then lower the axle down.
After that you just pull the springs out. If you have common sense you can do it, but if you don't have confidence in yourself then don't. But if I had to rate from 1 being easy and 10 being difficult I'd give it a 3 if that lol
Old 07-06-2015, 08:54 PM
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Should I DIY or pay for it...

Most charge 100 per corner
Old 07-06-2015, 09:35 PM
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Awesome, thanks for the input guys. I think I'm gonna try to DIY it when I decide to do this. Gotta pick my springs and get the extra cash for them.
Old 07-06-2015, 09:41 PM
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Should I DIY or pay for it...

Check out ottps
Old 07-06-2015, 09:48 PM
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Subbed. My baby sits low in the front but her ass is in the air. From what I've heard, places like Advance or Autozone rent spring compressing tools.
Old 07-06-2015, 10:28 PM
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Yeah. Looked at ottp. Can't decide between Eibach Sportlines, Ark, Progress, or Ottp.
Old 07-07-2015, 12:05 AM
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Should I DIY or pay for it...

For me it was between yyz and ottp. Yyzs dont go very low but the performance is second to none. Ottp goes decently low without sacrificing too much performance.
Old 07-07-2015, 01:52 AM
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Yeah. I'm mostly just looking to lose the majority of the gap there.
Old 07-07-2015, 01:55 AM
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Ottp has a great drop just ride isnt the best
Old 07-07-2015, 08:25 AM
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I have cm springs and like them a lot. It's hard to choose just because the same person doesn't try on 6 different spring on their car.
Old 07-07-2015, 09:29 AM
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You don't need a spring compressor to change the springs on a Cobalt. I didn't when I switched from stock to YYZ. It has to be one of the easiest cars to change springs on for that reason. It shouldn't even take you a couple hours.
Old 07-07-2015, 10:39 AM
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^this. I did it with a compressor the first time and after that, I've just laid the strut down when taking the nut off and there's not much tension so nothing springs apart violently. And all the lowering springs are short and soft enough that you can put them on the strut without needing a compressor
Old 07-07-2015, 12:03 PM
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That is true on the aftermarket springs you dont need the springs compressor. On the oem yeah they dont have much pressure but still be careful when doing it
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