Swift Spring Install Issues

sandersd

I plan on asking the dealer how they do, special tools or whatnot, when I drop off the coils. I do know every manufacturer says specifically not to use an impact wrench to install the nut so I want to avoid that although I'm glad it worked for you.

I work in engineering so I'm interested in how they do it just to satisfy my own curiosity.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

sandersd

I called my local dealer Sterling McCall Nissan in Stafford and they refused to do any "performance related" work.

So they will not be getting ANY of my business. Ever.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

Spooler

They do it with an impact wrench.....LOL Never ever had an issue doing it that way.

sandersd

Sad, but probably true. Of course everyone is free to do what they want however they please, but those recommendations are there for a reason and I try to follow them, especially when applying torque values. I've seen what happens when the limits of materials are exceeded, and I'd rather avoid the consequences. I'm glad it's always worked out for you.

I did get the springs installed on the shocks. I took them to a local 4-wheel drive shop and they were more than happy to swap them out, even offered to do it while I waited and charged me $25 a strut. Took all of ten minutes.

I'll double check the torque on the nut and install, drive it around for a few days to let the springs settle in, then get an alignment. I'm anxious to see how the handling will change as well as enjoying the lowered look.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

kenchan

lol... especially your local dealer will not use any special tools. they'll just use their regular tools and tools doing the work and do it as fast as they can.

kenchan

how tight? 3 sec zip's is the way to go <= dealer

sandersd

Apparently the hats were rotated 60 degrees off from their proper orientation. So when myself and the four guys in the shop all compared the diagram to the hats either we all misread it or the hats migrated as they sat in my garage awaiting installation. This is what it is suppose to look like:

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Oh well. I didn't want to go back to the shop to realign the hats so I renewed my search for a quality compressor and found one at Summit Racing. I had it overnighted with a Saturday delivery for a total cost of $206. It's made by Specialty Tools and is everything I was looking for - a high quality, functional, and safe tool.

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Next I had to figure out a way to secure the damper to work on it since doing it while it was on the floor is a struggle, especially when trying to torque the nut. Found a couple of pipe clamps used for welding at Northern Tools. They weren't cheap at $75 each but I figured I could use them for my welding projects also. They worked perfectly to hold down the assembly while I realigned the hat and torqued the nut to 44 ft lbs.

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But. There always seems to be a qualifier. The coils don't line up with the rubber cup designed to hold the top of the spring. It's about 60 degrees off. I compared the Swift spring to the Nismo spring and sure enough the end of the coils are different by 60 degrees. The rubber cup could probably be rotated but it's designed with indentations that fit around the bolts and it would have to be rotated 120 degrees to fit - 60 degrees would be in between and it wouldn't sit properly. Bummer. In the following pics you can see the 2" gap between the end of the spring and the end of the spring groove in the rubber grommet.

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I installed all back on the car and it drives great, no pops, creaks, or squeaks. It rides smoother than the stiff Nismo springs and turns really well, probably due to the increased camber. But I'm not really happy with the fit, so I purchased a set of BC ER type coilovers with the Swift spring option. Should be here in two to three weeks so I'll just wait on the alignment till then.

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I do have a really well made and safe spring compressor now though. I'd like to offer its use to any local forum member that needs to replace their springs - just PM me and I'll hook you up.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

MJB

Man, this spring install really kicked your butt, not to mention how much extra money you had to spend in tools, lol. I've done spring installs several times, and I also screwed up by having the hat in the wrong orientation. That is really frustrating to say the least. I always rent a spring compressor set from O'Reileys.

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09 Nismo #0483 sold. Viper or C7 next time around.

sandersd

Yeah, I did my Mini with the original compressor, the one I had to cut off, and it went without a hitch. I think the Z springs were much stiffer and the compressor didn't handle it as well. I did try several different kinds but the one I have now is a high quality product - fast, easy, and safe.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

Spooler

Hmm, that is not impressive. The springs should fit in the hats properly. Did you call Swift on it? Wonder if the hats were mixed up from left to right.

sandersd

Good point and a valid question. I'll try reversing them when I remove for the coilover install and see if it makes any difference.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

Zipper 104

Should the hats be different? I just looked at my Swifts and both front springs are identical. I figure if the hats are left or right handed how would one spring fit any different than the other. Could the 'rubber cups' be left and right handed?

Boy, with all the hassles the OP went through I'm not sure I want to mess with doing the job myself.

104

sandersd

The problem with that is you will not know if they were installed properly, if they had any problems but didn't tell you, or maybe they realize they don't fit but don't say anything, put it back together as best they can, and send you on your way.

The first time doing any job is a learning process. From my perspective the only real issues are having a quality spring compressor and the resolution of the questions regarding the fitment of the hats. If one is prepared with all the necessary tools the job should go smoothly.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

sandersd

The service manual says all final tightening should be done with the wheels on the ground in a fully laden condition. That's not possible, at least at my house, so I need to lift the car on a set of risers. I found these but they're silly expensive for what I need them for:

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I think I'll just buy two sets of ramps or perhaps cobble something together using 2X12s. The 2x12s would be cheaper but the tradeoff is they would be fairly heavy.

These would work at $40 a set:

Ramps.jpg

Since I've decided to upgrade to coilovers I purchased adjustable end links from SPL. I assume I'll need clearance to install and adjust those.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood

Meulen

wow...this sucks. Sorry this happened. I did a full coil over replacement and camber arms in my garage with 2 jacks a cordless impact. Seriously easy, and took about 2-3 hours.

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Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal