how difficult....
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Joined: 05-17-08
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From: PA
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...hlight=springs Check that out, it should help you
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Joined: 07-23-08
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From: fort worth, tx
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...hlight=springs Check that out, it should help you
Air tools take away about 90% of the install time over using regular spring compressors with a standard ratchet....could probably be done in 45 mins or less. I should know because I got impatient part way through installing mine and got out an air ratchet!!! I quickly realized it was worth pulling out the air compressor/hoses and taking a few mins to setup. Of course a good floor jack helps too!!! That way you dont have as much pressure on the Old springs when you take them out (I'm sure you may have already thought about that anyhow). I know that springs are easy to install and if I had to do it again I def wouldn't question if I should use air tools or not unless none were available (thats a diffrent story).
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Joined: 07-23-08
Posts: 315
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From: fort worth, tx
Air tools take away about 90% of the install time over using regular spring compressors with a standard ratchet....could probably be done in 45 mins or less. I should know because I got impatient part way through installing mine and got out an air ratchet!!! I quickly realized it was worth pulling out the air compressor/hoses and taking a few mins to setup. Of course a good floor jack helps too!!! That way you dont have as much pressure on the Old springs when you take them out (I'm sure you may have already thought about that anyhow). I know that springs are easy to install and if I had to do it again I def wouldn't question if I should use air tools or not unless none were available (thats a diffrent story).
It's worth the air tools only because all of the bolts are pretty tight. I would recommend not using an air ratchet when reinstalling though. The frount strut mounts have extremely cheap grade bolts. I had to replace mine with new studs because the craftsman ripped them apart.
Yeah, you dont have to have the air pressure turned up very much. Turn it up too high and you "could" run a chance of messing up the bolts. I kept my pressure somewhat low when I did it plus I also had someone else there to give me a hand. The air ratchet cuts off most of the install time when using the spring compressors. I had a brand new kit and the studs were pretty snug and took a decent amount of force when trying to compress the springs especially with a Craftsmen ratchet (After I changed the first front spring I thought to myself there has to be a better way so thats when I got the air tools out).
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Joined: 12-18-05
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From: North Jersey
it's not even so much the time, most of the bolts are pretty long and turning them by hand gets old pretty quick.
An impact wrench(air or electric) makes quick work of the top strut shaft nut, theres no need for a spring compressor or to take off the 3 little upper mount nuts....and guess what, if you dont use a spring compressor you cant use it wrong and injure yourself and it cant break and injure you. And if you dont remove the little nuts there is no chance of over torquing them when you reinstall them, so no chanve of breaking them. Spring compressors for Cobalt springs are FTMFL