DIY: 370Z Lowering Spring Install

tjlazer

Nice job!

Might want to mention to use a 6 point socket set and NOT a 12 point! I stripped bolts and could not remove the lower shock bracket without one. Made my install a real PITA. But subsequent installs went very smoothy.

Also I had to remove the strut bar to get access to the top shock bolts--not sure how you did it without doing this!!!

__________________
2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

TypeOne

I didn't have any issues with it removing the upper strut nuts with my snap on ratchet. It make have been a little easier to do by removing the brace, but it would have cost me more time to take it off, than it would have to just leave it on and unscrew the nuts.

Generally, as a rule of thumb you don't ever want to use a 12 point socket on anything that isn't a 12 point head. You will round bolts off with the quickness.

Thanks!!

tjlazer

Well it would of been nice to know for myself as I wasted several hours of time, sweat and aches! I had to go out and buy a 6 point socket set when It was mentioned to me. So if this helps one person then I will feel better...

__________________
2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

azn370z

Nice to see a spring install diy.

I think a difficulty of 2 out of 10 is misleading for anyone without a lift, power tools, and all the other tools a garage has. For the rest of us with the few tools and doing it solo, I think a 6 out of 10. Also I recommend people save themselves the time and grief and take it to sears or a garage and pay $50 to get the springs switched out. There's a guy on this forum who stripped the seal in his strut doing it himself.

__________________
2010 k23
H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

TypeOne

Ok... maybe my idea of it being an easy install gives a little bias.

Taking into account having to use jacks and hand tools, I can't see it being more than a 4... mainly for time sake.

I build cars from the ground up that take hundreds of hours to complete, so changing springs isn't anything to do.

I'll make a note about the level of difficulty.

Thanks for your input.

mtree

Hey TypeOne.... Was your front alignment ok...I see you didn't change your front upper camber control arms...I was told one would have to install adjustable one for proper alignment

TypeOne

The alignment seems fine.. rides like it did before. Doesn't pull or shake.

I can say that it does have a noticeable amount of negative camber with the stock UCAs.

If you wanted to have the camber set to factory specs to reduce irregular tire wear, I'd get a set of adjustable camber arms.

I plan on getting new wheels and tires so I'll change out the arms when the time comes.

NOFATCHX

$50!! Where do you live? ANY shop Ive gone to locally wants to charge me and arm and a leg ($250+) to swap out springs. They claim "the book" says 4.6 hours of labor.