Tools needed:
- Some method to jack up and support the vehicle
- Large metal pipe (4' long is good). I use the handle from my steel floor jack.
- Set of spring compressors
- 16mm, 17mm, 18mm wrenches, ratchets/sockets
- Pry bar(s)
- Locking vice grips
- Hammer
- Floor jack (lifting wheel hub to align shock and sway bar)
Steps:
1) Remove the plastic lug nut covers using the tool under the trunk floor.
2) Loosen the rear lug nuts to ensure the wheels can be easily removed once the vehicle is in the air.
3) Jack up the rear of the vehicle. I used a Quickjack set up sideways. If I did this again, I might use 2 rubber blocks to add clearance under the vehicle for the quickjack extension frame that fit the exhaust and other things. There are a couple other ways to jack up the vehicle, too. (see pic #1)
4) Remove the wheels
5) Remove the plastic wind deflectors under the suspension control arm. These are pretty annoying to remove. They have a long plastic pin that holds them on. The pin has a flange that needs to be squeezed tight to allow it to pass back through 2 metal holes and a hole in a plastic tab for removal. I used locking vice grips to pinch the plastic pin to allow it to slide through each of the 3 holes it needed to slide out of. I used a hammer and a screwdriver to help tap the pin out (see pics #2-5)
6) Attach the spring compressors on each side of the spring and tighten them down. Ideally, you want to get at least 4 coils within the compressor to stand a chance at having enough room to replace the spring. (see pics #6-7)
7) Remove the shock and set it aside. There are three bolts (2 attach the shock to the body, and the 3rd to a lower control arm). This is a very easy step. You can also further tighten the spring compressors, if need be.
8) Remove the sway bar bolt & nut. This should also be easy. This should allow the lower control arm to drop lower in the next step.
9) The metal pipe is used to pull the control arms down to create extra clearance for the spring. You (or perhaps a friend) literally have to stand on the pipe to pull the arm low enough. The pipe works best when placed in the middle of the 2 aluminum control arms. The pipe will fit nicely into a hole in the steel subframe. (see pics #8-9)
10) When pushing down on the pipe, pull out the compressed spring, spring seat, and upper pad.
11) install is reverse. Swap the spring compressors over to the new spring. (see pics #10)
12) Install the top spring pad into its spot. It's keyed and snaps into place.
13) Install the lower spring seat into place
14) Step on the metal pipe again and carefully slide in the compressed spring. If you aren't able to get it in, perhaps another pry bar on the spring and some lube will help get the spring seated.
15) Remove the compressors, install the shock (use a floorjack with rubber pad to lift up the wheel hub (bottom of control arm) to align the shock with control arm. Install the long shock bolt and nut. Install the sway bar bolt and nut (use floor jack again to get alignment) (see pic #11)
16) Install wind deflectors and wheels
17) Lower vehicle to ground and torque lug nuts to 120 ft/lbs. Put plastic lug caps back on.
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Originally Posted by angrycatmeow
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