Help getting rear springs out of an M coupe?

[lotusTT]

Anybody with some suspension knowledge sitting around bored? I'm trying to replace the suspension in my M coupe, but am having a real bear of a time removing the rear springs. I've got the shock out, but the spring just won't go anywhere. I've read that you just pry it out, but I'm not having any luck.

Any tips or ideas welcomed. I'm in Cambridge if anyone wants to stop by and take a look for some beers or whatever.

[Bigo1087]

We'll if the m-coupe is anything like an e36....i just used a huge pry bar....and had someone gentley push down or step on the trail arm and it shud have just enough room to wiggle or pop out...

[JBpka06]

yeah, just step on the rear rotor and pry the spring out

[Sam 330ci]

^your e30 is niceeeeee

[lotusTT]

Well I got both springs out, you guys were right, I just needed a bigger pry bar.

Now I can't get the new springs back in there!

Anyone with some suspension experience want to lend a hand sometime this week? Dinner/beers/etc on me.

[JBpka06]

drop the diff a little bit and that should make enough room to get the springs in.

[FredK]

Er, did you disengage the parking brake? If things are still tight, undo the sway bar links from the trailing arm.

[lotusTT]

Sway bar link is undone. I took the parking brake cable out of the clip that holds it to the trailing arm, but it is still engaged... There is still some slack in the cable, will releasing the brake just give some more slack?

[FredK]

Yes.

[BrenM3]

ive never had anymore trouble then releasing the ebrake and having someone step on the rotor while i slide it out.

this is on like 5 diff bmws

[Itsablurr]

I've done my rears a coupe times.... it can be a bit of a pain, but with a pair of (properly and strategically placed, lol) spring compressors and a little elbow grease, they should slide in.

Where you at?

[lotusTT]

Er, did you disengage the parking brake? If things are still tight, undo the sway bar links from the trailing arm.

So I've been lurking around these NEOT stomping grounds for a while, and see all the homo-erotic love for this FredK guy. The godfather of NE and all that.

Well today I see why. I get home from work, go out to the car, and drop the ebrake. Big clunk and the trailing arm drops 3-4 inches. New springs slide in with tons of room. Old ones would have popped out like nothing, instead of the 4 or so hours I spent tring to remove them without lowering the trailing arms because of the stupid ebrake!

FredK, I owe you some beers man, thanks! :worship:

[FredK]

Ah, good to hear you were able to get the new springs in!

I was beginning to think maybe you might need to do something really creative with some spring compressors, but maybe that's for the stock springs? I dunno. In any case, I've done the same thing before (leaving the parking brake on and cursing for hours on end), so join the club. :D