Rear spring removal

In order to clean out and rust proof the very vulnerable rear spring pods, it is advisable to take out the coil springs

The SZ serie has the spring removal tool for the rear coil springs almost build in.



The upper spring cup is threaded and accepts a 1/2" coarse thread.

Parts  needed for spring removal  are a 1/2" threaded rod, a washer and corresponding nuts.
It is crucial to employ only material that has at least a rating of 8.8 (or Grade 5).
I bought some 10.9 stock just to be on the safe side.

The car is lifted up and the rod insert from below the lower spring cup and threaded into the upper spring cup. This can be quite difficult due rust build-up in the thread. The car is then lowered to the ground and the bleeding screws for the suspension are opened . The car will sink to its lowest possible height.
From below the spring cup, I put on a heavy washer and 2 or 3 (to be safe) 1/2" nuts.

When the car is now lifted again, the spring stays compressed and can easily be taken out.

One word of caution, please have a look at the spring cup pictured which is weakened by heavy rust.


There is simply no practical way of accessing the condition of this cup when installed and it might just be too weak to support the tension of a compressed spring.