Coil Spring - Front

Replace the front coil springs on a 2009 Aston Martin DB9, requiring suspension disassembly and spring compressor use to safely remove and install springs.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front coil spring (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or Eibach/H&R equivalent
• Front coil spring (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or Eibach/H&R equivalent
• Strut mount bearing (if worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Bump stop (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground.
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points on the chassis rails.
4. Remove both front wheels completely.
5. Photograph suspension assembly from multiple angles for reassembly reference, noting any alignment marks or eccentric cam positions.
6. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15 minutes penetration time.

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar end link
   Locate the front sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm or strut assembly. Holding the ball stud shaft with the appropriate hex key, remove the upper nut securing the end link to the strut housing with a wrench of the size specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual. Pivot the end link away from the strut assembly to provide clearance.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Mark and disconnect strut lower mounting bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the base of the strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If these bolts pass through eccentric washers or cam adjusters, use a paint pen to mark their exact rotational position relative to the knuckle before removal. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack positioned under the ball joint area. Remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts completely. The knuckle and lower control arm will now be free to drop slightly on the jack.
   ⚠The spring is partially loaded in this position. Keep hands and body clear of the compressed spring path as the knuckle drops.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Access strut tower upper mounting
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower mounting accessible from the engine bay. Locate the upper damper/spring unit mounting point on the body structure — refer to Aston Martin service documentation for the exact location, as the DB9 uses a double-wishbone suspension with a coil-over damper rather than a MacPherson strut tower. Remove the protective cap or cover from the strut mount if present. Identify the nuts securing the upper damper/spring mount to the body (the center nut holds the damper shaft; the outer nuts secure the mount plate). Confirm the exact number and size of mount fasteners against the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9 double-wishbone front suspension before removal. Note: Identify the upper damper/spring unit mounting fasteners securing the assembly to the body — verify the exact fastener count and configuration against Aston Martin service documentation, as the DB9 uses a double-wishbone layout with a coil-over damper rather than a three-nut MacPherson strut mount. Note: Identify the nuts securing the upper damper/spring unit mount to the body (verify exact count and configuration against Aston Martin service documentation, as the DB9 uses a double-wishbone layout rather than a MacPherson strut). Note: Install the upper mount nuts finger-tight (verify exact fastener count and configuration against Aston Martin service documentation, as the DB9 uses a double-wishbone coil-over layout rather than a three-nut MacPherson strut mount).
   ℹ️Do NOT remove the center strut shaft nut at this stage. Removing it without spring compression will cause violent spring release.
4. 4

   Remove strut assembly from vehicle
   While supporting the damper/spring assembly, remove the upper mounting fasteners securing the unit to the body — verify the exact fastener count and socket size against Aston Martin service documentation, as the DB9 uses a coil-over damper on a double-wishbone suspension. Carefully lower the entire strut assembly (spring, strut, and upper mount as one unit) out through the wheel well. Place the assembly on a stable work surface. Note: While supporting the damper/spring assembly with one hand, remove the upper mount nuts from the body, using the socket size specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual. Confirm the exact number of nuts before removal. Note: While supporting the damper/spring unit with one hand, remove the upper mount nuts from the body (verify exact count and socket size against Aston Martin service documentation).
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Install spring compressors
   Install heavy-duty spring compressors on opposite sides of the coil spring (180 degrees apart), ensuring the compressor hooks engage at least 3 full coils on both top and bottom hooks. Position compressors away from the spring ends where failure risk is highest. Verify both compressors are seated securely in the spring coils with no slipping or misalignment.
   ⚠️Use only compressors rated for this spring's load (approximately 400+ lbs compression force). Install compressors 180 degrees apart for balanced compression. Never stand directly in line with compressed springs.
6. 6

   Compress spring
   Alternating between the two spring compressors, tighten each compressor in small increments (2-3 turns at a time) to compress the spring evenly. Continue until the spring is compressed enough that all tension is removed from the upper strut mount and the mount can be wiggled freely by hand. The spring should remain approximately 2-3 inches shorter than its free length.
   ⚠️Compress evenly and slowly. Watch for compressor slippage or spring binding. If the spring begins to cock sideways, stop immediately, release tension, and reposition compressors.
7. 7

   Remove upper strut mount and spring
   Using the correct socket on the strut shaft nut (center nut) and an appropriately sized Allen key inserted into the top of the strut shaft to prevent rotation (verify socket and hex sizes against Aston Martin service documentation), remove the strut shaft nut. Lift off the upper strut mount, bearing plate, and any rubber isolators, noting their exact order and orientation. Remove the compressed spring from the strut body, keeping the compressors installed and tight.
   ⚠Keep spring compressors installed and tensioned throughout this step. Do not release spring compression until the old spring is safely removed and set aside.
8. 8

   Inspect components
   Inspect the strut mount bearing for roughness, binding, or excessive play by rotating the bearing plates by hand. Check the rubber bump stop for tears, compression set, or missing material. Examine the spring seats (upper and lower) for cracks or corrosion. Inspect the dust boot on the strut shaft for tears. Replace any worn or damaged components before reassembly.
   ℹ️A worn strut mount bearing will cause steering noise and poor centering. This is a common wear item on high-mileage DB9s and should be replaced if any roughness is felt.
9. 9

   Transfer compressors to new spring
   Carefully release tension on one spring compressor at a time on the old spring, remove the compressors, and immediately install them on the new spring in the same positions (180 degrees apart, engaging at least 3 coils). Compress the new spring to the same approximate compressed length as the old spring was during disassembly.
   ⚠️Never release both compressors simultaneously on the old spring. Work with one compressor at a time to maintain control of the high-energy spring.
10. 10

    Install new spring and upper mount
    Slide the compressed new spring onto the strut body, ensuring the spring end is properly seated in the lower spring perch and the spring orientation matches the original (the coil end typically faces a specific direction). Install the bump stop (if replaced), upper spring seat, bearing plate, and upper strut mount in the exact order removed. Ensure any alignment tabs or notches engage properly. Install the strut shaft nut finger-tight.
    ℹ️Spring ends are often flat-wound or pigtailed and must seat in the spring perch notch. Incorrect seating will cause noise and premature wear.
11. 11

    Torque strut shaft nut and release spring
    Using the appropriate hex/Allen key to hold the damper shaft from rotating, torque the center damper shaft nut to the Aston Martin factory specification (verify value — this is unconfirmed). Slowly and evenly release tension on both spring compressors, alternating between them in small increments. Verify the spring seats properly in both upper and lower perches as tension is released. Once fully released, remove both spring compressors. Note: Using the appropriate Allen key to hold the damper shaft from rotating, torque the center shaft nut to the value specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9. Note: Using a 6mm Allen key to hold the damper shaft from rotating, torque the center damper shaft nut to the Aston Martin specified value (verify exact torque against service documentation).
    ⚠Release spring tension slowly and evenly. Watch for spring misalignment or popping sounds that indicate improper seating.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install strut assembly to vehicle
    Lift the strut assembly up through the wheel well and guide the upper mount studs through the holes in the strut tower. Install the upper mount nuts finger-tight (verify the exact fastener count against Aston Martin service documentation, as the DB9 uses a double-wishbone coil-over layout rather than a three-nut MacPherson strut mount). With the upper mount held in place, position the lower end of the strut housing to align with the steering knuckle mounting holes. Support the knuckle with the floor jack if needed to raise it into alignment.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install lower strut mounting bolts
    Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts through the knuckle and strut housing, ensuring any eccentric washers or cam adjusters are oriented exactly as marked during disassembly. Install the nuts and tighten evenly, then torque both bolts to the value specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9 lower damper-to-knuckle fasteners. Verify the alignment marks still match after torquing. Note: Install the nuts and tighten evenly, then torque both bolts to the Aston Martin factory specification (verify value — this is unconfirmed). Note: Install the nuts and tighten evenly, then torque both bolts to the Aston Martin specified value (verify exact torque against service documentation).
    ⚠If eccentric bolts were disturbed or marks do not align, professional wheel alignment is mandatory before driving at highway speeds.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Torque upper strut mount and reconnect sway bar link
    From the engine bay, torque the upper mount nuts to the value specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9, tightening in a star pattern. Reinstall any protective cap or cover over the strut mount. Reconnect the sway bar end link to the strut housing, holding the ball stud as needed and torquing the nut to the value specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9. Note: Reconnect the sway bar end link, using the appropriate hex key to hold the ball stud and torquing the nut to the Aston Martin factory specification (verify value and attachment point — this is unconfirmed). Note: From the engine bay, torque the upper damper/spring unit mounting fasteners to the Aston Martin factory specification (verify count and torque — this is unconfirmed). Note: Reconnect the sway bar end link to its mounting point, using a 6mm Allen key to hold the ball stud and torquing the nut to the Aston Martin specified value (verify exact torque and link attachment location against service documentation). Note: From the engine bay, torque the upper mount nuts to the Aston Martin specified value (verify exact count and torque against service documentation).
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels and perform final checks
    Install both front wheels, threading the wheel bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement (verify whether this vehicle uses wheel bolts or lug nuts). Lower the vehicle until the wheels just contact the ground (weight partially on suspension). Torque all wheel fasteners to the value specified in the Aston Martin workshop manual for the DB9 (verify exact torque against factory documentation), in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Bounce each front corner of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension, then recheck all fastener torques. Note: Torque all wheel bolts/nuts to the Aston Martin factory specification (verify value — this is unconfirmed, but is likely significantly higher than 89 Nm) in a star pattern. Note: Install both front wheels, threading the wheel bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement (verify whether this vehicle uses wheel bolts or nuts against service documentation). Note: Torque all wheel lug nuts to the Aston Martin specified value (typically significantly higher than 89 Nm for this vehicle; verify exact torque against service documentation) in a star pattern.
    ⚠Test drive at low speeds in a safe area before highway use. Listen for any abnormal noises, clunks, or rattles that would indicate improper assembly.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts89 Nm (66 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the removal steps above.
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification with the vehicle weight on the suspension where noted.
3. If any alignment marks were disturbed or eccentric bolts moved, professional wheel alignment is required.
4. Reinstall any protective caps or covers removed during the procedure.

Verification

• Bounce each front corner of the vehicle firmly and verify the suspension rebounds smoothly without clunking, squeaking, or binding.
• Verify ride height is even side-to-side and matches pre-repair height (if springs are OEM replacement spec).
• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and verify no new noises from the strut mount bearings.
• Perform a test drive at low speeds (under 30 mph) in a safe area, checking for pulling, wandering, or abnormal handling before highway use.
• If any suspension fasteners were loosened that affect alignment (strut-to-knuckle bolts with eccentric adjusters), have professional wheel alignment performed immediately.
• Recheck all torque values after the first 50 miles of driving.

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