DIY: Lowering Springs

[AlexS2200]

DIY info: (Note: Installation should be done by an experienced person.)
Fronts

Step 1: Jack up your car on all 4 jack points.


Step 2: Take off all 4 wheels via 19mm socket wrench.



Step 3: Remove Brake line from shock body via 12mm socket wrench.



Step 4: Unclip ABS sensor and rubber grommets.


Step 5: Remove Sway bar End-link from shock body via 14mm socket wrench. Note: without air tools may have to use allen key wrench and 14mm open wrench.


Step 6: Remove two 19mm Shock bolts from Knuckle via 19mm socket wrench. Note: without air tools you may have to use a breaker bar and 19mm open wrench to hold the nut.



Step 7: Remove rubber cap from shock tower.


Step 8: Remove shock tower nut via allen key wrench and 17mm open wrench. Once unbolted the shock should drop right out from the bottom.




Step 9: Place shock onto a spring compressor and compress spring to release pressure from the top hat.


Step 10: Remove top hat nut via 19mm socket wrench. Note: without air you will have to use a 19mm open wrench and allen key wrench.


Step 11: Remove stock spring from the shock body.


Step 12: Remove bump stop from top hat.



Step 13: Cut the bump stop 1inch or 25mm (If you skip this process the bump stops will surely sit on the shock body changing the comfort, handling and shock modulation in a NEGATIVE way. THIS MUST BE DONE IN THE FRONT & REAR)


Step 14: Reassemble Top had and bump stop. (super pain)


Step 15: Reassemble new swift spring, top hat etc back onto the shock body and bolt down the 19mm nut.


Step 16: Now reinstall the Macpherson strut assembly back into the car in reverse order.

[AlexS2200]

REAR Springs install

Step 1: Via flat head screw driver gently pry open the rear trunk panels on the left and right to reveal the shock tower nuts.
(sorry no pick)

Step 2: Via 14mm open wrench and allen key wrench unbolt the shock tower nut.
(sorry no pick)

Step 3: Unbolt the Left & Right lower shocks from the subframe via 14mm.


Step 4: Remove rear shocks.
(sorry no pic)

Step 5: Cut bump stops on the rear shocks 1inch or 25mm.
(sorry no pic)

Please Note: The top of the shock has a long washer that holds the rubber grommets in. The washer cannot be removed from the top of the shock without damaging the threads of the shock rod, because it has a locking notch in it. The dust cover must be cut with a razor carefully in order to reveal the bump stop. (Freaking WEAKSOS!) I cut mine off and then carefully cut off 25mm from the bottom of the bump stop while on the shock body. Then I glued the dust cover back together and used Black Duck tape to hold it back together. (SUPER GHETTO!! I'm Sorry, no other way, unless I wanted to risk screwing up the shock threads.)

Step 6: Remove Stock springs from the subframe.


Step 7: Install stock rubber grommets onto new swift springs.


Step 8: Install new rear swift springs and shocks.


Step 9: Install the top shock nut and washer inside the trunk.
(sorry no pic)

Step 10: Reinstall the left and right trunk panels.


Here are photos of the CRZ before and after the swift spring install.

Before:

After:


Original Ride Height: (measured from ground to fender/quarter panel)


Front Left Front Right
655mm (25.78in) 660mm (25.98in)

Rear Left Rear Right
665mm (26.18in) 670mm (26.37in)

Swift Spring Ride Height:

Front Left Front Right
625mm (24.6in) 630mm (24.8in)

Rear Left Rear Right
636mm (25.03in) 640mm (25.19in)

[Scotty001]

Dude, I'm no mechanic, but appears you have provided an excellent product to the group here. Good job and thanks.

[lexsynergy]

the drop looks great...i would like these to be available for us by spring

[ds2000]

Nice write up and very nice workshop!

[cr-z hybrid]

[CRX-SiRT]

Originally Posted by cr-z hybrid

Second that...

[TinTin]

how is the ride height after the springs settle a bit? im sure it would drop another half inch once settled...

[bizzybear]

i don't think it will drop another half inch... but maybe a .25" or so... and i think he just put these on... so we'll have to wait a bit for him to do some driving around first...

[AlexS2200]

I'll take new measurements in a week or so. I don't think its going to drop more than a couple or few millimeters.