FAQ |
Members List |
Social Groups |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
How to reinstall front coil spring?
I tried all afternoon to reinstall a front coil spring in my lemans. I've got one of those compressors that fits inside the spring and compresses it down against the LCA. I compressed the crap out of the santuff spring and that SOB will NOT compress enough to go inside the spring pocket in the frame. The spring/LCA combo is too tall to make the "turn" and go into into the spring pocket. WTF am I doing wrong? Do I run the compressor through the shock hole and compress the spring into the spring pocket?
__________________
I could explain all this to the girl at the parts store, but she'd probably call the asylum. White '67 LeMans 407/TH350/Ford 3.89... RIP Red '67 LeMans. 407/TH400/Ford 3.25 |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
This is the kind of tool I use:
http://www.autotoolworld.com/product...FRJo7AodkHYA1g# You put it inside the spring - compress - install - dissemble and remove tool through the bottom shock hole.
__________________
1994 Formula 535ci NA CV-1 - single 1050 with c14 - 940hp@7000/825tq@5200 Pontiac Powered 4th Gen Project Progress |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
This is one of those jobs that I hate to do. I disconnect the lower ball joint to allow the a-arm to lower enough to get the spring in. It is a real pain to get the ball joint to separate.
__________________
Tim Corcoran |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
You will have a very hard time if the engine is not in the car. Ask me how I know.
Typically I use the spring compressor to get the spring started in the spring pocket, then use the control arm, floor jack, and a pry bar to keep it in the pocket. Then I bolt up the ball-joint and remove the spring compressor. If you do not have an engine I have used a 4x4 wedged to a ceiling joist to keep the frame from moving. Tom Vaught
__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Take the lower control arm bolts out.
Position the LCA/compressed spring assy. with the top of the spring in the frame pocket w/a floor jack under it. Put a little pressure on the assembly with the floor jack. Then all you gotta do is coerce the lower control arm bolts back in. IME,it's rare to be able to get the spring compressed enough with that style compressor so that you can "swing" the bolted-in LCA/spring assy. into place after compressing the spring. I believe this topic has come up here in the past as well. HTH Bret P. |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Check this YouTube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAEikyM9Wg YouTube search words 79 Trans am front spring install
__________________
Its ok to giggle and snicker, Dont laugh and point |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I forgot to add this tidbit of wisdom,some guys do this by compressing the spring from the frame side running the threaded shaft thru the shock bolt hole,and pull the spring up into the frame pocket instead of the LCA pocket,and then install the LCA the way I described.
Six of one,half dozen of the other,whatever way is easier for a given install. Bret P. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
I have the long version of the compressor that WARPed listed. I'm hoping I can install the spring compressor in the shock hole and compress it enough to swing the arm home that way.
I tried to compress the spring against the arm, insert the spring in the frame pocket and then jack the arm in place. Without the engine, the car tried to lift off the jackstands. Very scary!
__________________
I could explain all this to the girl at the parts store, but she'd probably call the asylum. White '67 LeMans 407/TH350/Ford 3.89... RIP Red '67 LeMans. 407/TH400/Ford 3.25 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Here's a short picture tutorial that makes it look even simpler than the guy with the straps:
http://transamcountry.com/community/...p?topic=4042.0
__________________
Steve F. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
I forgot you had the engine outta the car.
Yeah,,,that makes it a bit harder to do... Bret P. |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
BTW: The spring compressor I prefer to use looks like this vvvv.
Pic is from Autozone's site. Basically one half of the style you have,with a plate for the other side to pull against. Bret P. |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Tom Vaught
__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
When compressing the spring, you have to position the compressor so you leave a coil or 2 free on the top and bottom, so when you release the spring in the frame and on the control arm, you have room to remove the upper hooks and bottom plate. Also, the long bolt goes up from the bottom in this scenario, so when you go to remove the compressor, screw the long bolt out the bottom and fish the hooks out the bottom, and the plate just pulls out from the side of the spring. But, like I said, it's potentially dangerous. Don't ever point the compressed spring ends toward you, in case the tool slips off the spring. I wear heavy leather welding gloves while compressing and handling the compressed spring too.
__________________
Steve F. |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
Sammy 1967 Lemans: 455 swap in progress (stock crank, stock rods, TRW slugs, mildly ported 6x heads, Stump Puller hyd roller, 1.5 PRW aluminum rollers, Comp hyd roller lifters, Performer RPM, q-jet, RA exhaust manifolds, 2 1/2" exhaust, ebay HEI), 200 4R, and some suspension stuff |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Most of the time these days I'm going for a higher than stock spring rate, and shorter springs. In this case, most of the time, you can do it without a compressor. The clone I did without an engine and without a compressor and it is only a 1" drop spring. I removed the OE springs with no engine using the method above. .
__________________
. 1970 GTO Judge Tribute Pro-Tour Project 535 IA2 http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=760624 1971 Trans Am 463, 315cfm E-head Sniper XFlow EFI, TKO600 extreme, 9", GW suspension, Baer brakes, pro tour car https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...ght=procharger Theme Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zKAS...ature=youtu.be |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Another method I've seen done that scares the crap out of me, but might be worth a shot is compressing the spring outside the car as much as possible then bailing wire the bejesus out of it (or high quality banding) on two sides, remove the compressor (and pray), then drop the spring into place, install ball joint all the way, install the shock, and from arms length cut the wires! The shock should keep anything from leaping out, but all that time from the point of spring compressor removed to when the ball joint is set makes me nervous as all heck.
I personally have never had an issue using spring compressors on GM and Ford cars. Rather the 4 hook design or the one pictured.
__________________
__________________________________________ "How I learned to stop worrying and love the OHC Pontiac L6" The Silver Buick- '77 Skylark coupe w/455, SPX, MegaSquirt 3 & TKO-600 (Drag Week 2011, 2012 & 2015!) 1969 Firebird with a turbo'd Pontiac L6 controlled by a MegaSquirt 3 and backed with a microsquirt controlled 4L60e and 4.56 gears! (Drag Week 2018!) |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
I had a four hook style compressor let go on me about twenty years ago when removing a spring. I almost peed myself. Would never consider using one again. The hydraulic lift method seems to work with me, although it's definitely easier with the engine in the car!
__________________
Sammy 1967 Lemans: 455 swap in progress (stock crank, stock rods, TRW slugs, mildly ported 6x heads, Stump Puller hyd roller, 1.5 PRW aluminum rollers, Comp hyd roller lifters, Performer RPM, q-jet, RA exhaust manifolds, 2 1/2" exhaust, ebay HEI), 200 4R, and some suspension stuff |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I put a length of wire cable (with a padlock securing the loops) thru the spring and around a suspension member to keep the thing from flying very far. Tom Vaught
__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Compressing it into the frame pocket did the trick. I was able to compress it enough to swing the arm closed. The ratchet strap to the other side of the frame to pull the spring into the LCA is the other secret ingredient. It was pretty damn easy.
I'll post pics of the pass side to show what it looks like. Thanks guys!
__________________
I could explain all this to the girl at the parts store, but she'd probably call the asylum. White '67 LeMans 407/TH350/Ford 3.89... RIP Red '67 LeMans. 407/TH400/Ford 3.25 |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
Will Rivera '69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears ‘66 Lemans, 455, KRE D-Ports, TH350, 12 bolt 3.90 gears '69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: work in progress |
Reply |
|
|