Replacing a rear spring on a ford focus mk2

[@peugeotgti]

Yes done this too, 9 out of 10 times the inner adjustment bolt is seized into the bush, cost effective but it does feel like a ticking bomb 😯

[@PJBonoVox]

Had the same issue, used the same solution. Nylon straps with a reef knot held the spring nicely and made the job easy. Cheers for the tip!

[@optic212]

Phil Underhill Glad to hear you're still alive. ;)

[@PJBonoVox]

optic212 Never in danger :) I did all four broken springs this method and they held up fine.

[@optic212]

Phil Underhill I did the back two, I couldn't untie them nylon straps on the second one, so had to chop them off, nm, job done. You saved yourself a bit by doing all four, well done, that woulda cost you hundreds in kwik fit which is what inspired me to do my own.

[@locojambo]

Cheers for the video. I used the clamps internally to remove the broken Spring then compressed the new spring and tied it up with an old seat belt from scrap yard so didn't care about cutting it off either, used the car jack on the arm like you for a bit of extra space. Took me about hour an a half.

[@gasgiant7122]

Me too, I was thinking "surely you don't need to totally dismantle the back end"? This strap method works cool, great thinking mans 🤔how to video thank you👍👍👍

[@willliammillar8684]

Great video. If you intend keeping your focus (or indeed on most cars) and doing this again, invest in internal spring compressors. Ford are kind enough to put a big hole through the control arm where the spring seats. The compressor fits right inside the spring, so the release nut is accessible from underneath. A fully compressed spring will fit in without much prying. The strong, woven banding method does work perfectly well but it can be dangerous and usually means sacrificial cutting away because the knots tighten too much to untie and re-use. A lot of time and hassle can be avoided.

[@stef2198]

a telescopic spring compressor

[@1busterchops]

I'm just about to replace mine so I'm glad you did this video cheers man

[@itsabouttimejohn6507]

Fair play to you mate for trying would’ve been a lot easier though, if You undone the shock absorber, no need for clamps or straps straight in straight out

[@CarlosPereira-cq5xj]

Well done! Props teaching people how to do! Not that posh videos on garage they got all tools haha ! Well done, thank u!

[@stuartgriffin95]

Haha hilarious video 😀 a ratchet strap may have been a better idea than tying the strap. I've got this job to do tomorrow so wish me luck 👍

[@optic212]

Hope it went well for you brother.

[@oldpainless316]

@@optic212 how did you get the broken spring out safely first?

[@ajrallewis904]

1 bolt and the rear control arm comes down far enough make sure you put a jack under it let it down put the new spring in and jack back into place reinstall the bolt job done

[@jamiemccort8388]

Not your Account Correct mate 👍

[@welshlad2]

im thinking instead of using straps to hold the compressed spring would a piece of old bicycle chain be better with a split pin holding the links together that way it would be a lot easier to release it when you want to decompress the spring

[@bobnotcher7198]

If fitting lowering springs that are a little shorter than standard follow instructions below; To remove spring. 1. Detach shock absorber from hub carrier. 2. Use 1 metre long crowbar to lever the arm down. Get a friend to do this. 3. With the arm levered down use a 2nd crowbar to prise out the spring. To fit new spring. 1. Use 1 metre long crowbar to lever the arm down. Get a friend to do this. 2. With the arm levered down wriggle the new spring into position.

[@IanLanc]

Bob: I remember doing something similar with my brother, he relaxed and let the crowbar flirt up, which resulted in dinting the bloody wheel arch edge.....

[@donegal2010able]

Holy fuck. Balls of steel

[@davidgillie1199]

This is a very dangerous way to replace a coil spring,be warned..

[@ManYHerramientas]

Good job man.

[@trickym5748]

You can use spring compressers inside the spring there’s a hole in the lower arm specifically for this propose

[@blainy-o93]

Top tip: it works exactly the same on the mk1 as the suspension setup is the same.

[@tonyn9858]

like people have said if every things seized and you have no acetylene heat you will be very lucky to get any bolts out with out rounding the heads off. i actually didn't manage to get springs out. on the old astra it was a piece of piss

[@georgegeorgel7254]

U dont have to use a press for the rear spring,u could just place a jack under the arm and lift it up tilll the bushing hole align

[@williwonka5106]

Bob Notcher (below) posted a better method and has it right. This video is the hard and UNSAFE way.

[@jeffmee763]

Next time put a jack under the lower arm take the bolt out off the arm lower put in your spring jack up the lower arm put in the bolts for lower arm and sock done.

[@keithgilliland9732]

could you not just disconnect the lower control arm from the hub and feed the spring in from the bottom.. then jack the control arm back into position.?

[@locojambo]

Never worked on a focus have you lol the bolts cease into the bushes and the only way to get them out is with heat. So no you can't

[@colinclews6336]

locojambo im due to tackle this myself soon, never done springs before so trying to get as much info as possible- my Haynes manual is a bit shit tbc. im a bit freaked out with compressed springs and am convinced one way or another ill end up get a rogue spring hitting me square in the face!! If the bolts on the LCA are not seized then is it better to drop the LCA?

[@locojambo]

+Colin Clews if u can get them out then yes it will be easier but they cease into the bushes so you end up tearing the bushes to pieces and the arm is then useless. They also cease on the inner bush so if it does damage the outer bush it's a hell of a job to remove the arm to replace. You basically have to use heat to melt all the rubber away then heat the sleeve to remove the bolt hence y the best way is to do as the video. An easier option would be to ask a local garage with a professional Spring compressor to compress the new spring and tie it up (ideally with a seat belt) for u, maybe for a bit of beer money. Using the emergency jack to further part the arm I believe the spring will have to be about a 1/3 compressed. Or you could buy the internal compression kit but it's over £100.

[@colinclews6336]

locojambo Many thanks for the advice, i reckon your right after having a nosey under the car it certainly doesnt look like easy pickings and i reckon it'll be seized to buggery!

[@ajrallewis904]

no joke doing how to vids 😂

[@Dre88116]

strange how your mk2 is rusty a lot more than my mk1, probably due to the different locations

[@donegal2010able]

Me dad's car failed test spring had snapped, jesus christ the amount of rust nearly everythings gotta be replaced

[@ajrallewis904]

oh i forgot you have to unbolt the sway bar 😂

[@mintopw]

good effort thanks

[@brodybrady9517]

There’s no reason to use a spring compressor.. they are very dangerous. Use a jack to slowly push up the spring

[@leebirch6039]

Please tell me why you licked your wheel nut right at the end

[@optic212]

Lubrication for easy insertion. For extra lub', always lick the nuts.

[@tonymarshall878]

sorry but seen video and that's not the way to change rear springs you have to remove rear bolt to lower bottom plate and using a trolley jack to raise the bottom plate so you can refit the bolt

[@frodestillingen]

This is really dangerous, use an internal spring compressor instead. Your life is worth more than 100$

[@dawes1982]

dodgyest way to fit a compressed spring, dont follow this example its dangerous

[@thomasmcnamara2518]

missed quite a lot of bits i.e. replacing shocker etc, bit long and if you are able to guess the missing bits ....fine.

[@trickym5748]

Don’t give up your day job

[@jessicahaas3938]

I'm

[@martindesmarais100]

This is dangerous to do it like this in my opinion.There are correct methods of fitting these and this isn't one of them..Just a way to cut corners ..

[@optic212]

I agree, which is why I clearly state, emphatically, that I DON'T recommend this method, it does however provide insight as to how the procedure is carried out, bolt locations etc.

[@traceyclarke5589]

I was put off straight away when they could not get the wheel trim off correctly. !!! Then the pathetic way he tried to get the wheel but off. Rubbish video.