[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

Im having a hard time getting my new Ridetech springs in. They are just barely too tall to install without a compressor. Ive get them in a few times but the to of the spring wont seat properly.

So to add to the good information others have posted.

The spring compressor available at harbor freight sucks. Ive used it, but its so much harder to use than the better design that has offset length hooks and the sorta shoehorn looking device for the bottom. I ordered one but its not here yet.

I have the second style spring compressor you describe and it has worked great for me. Used it on my GTO and on a friend's '68 Camaro, and it made for easy work with both cars.

[gtospieg]

Zee...That's exactly what mine looked like when I modified it. Works way better and easier and safer than the original configuration.

[ZeGermanHam]

Yeah, it's good to have the option to do it from the top side as well. Honestly, I think the ease of the job depends on the individual car in question. I've seen people run into difficulty with these spring compressors because they either couldn't fit the hooks through the lower control arm opening, or the hooks were hard to get off the spring once the weight of the car is on them again, etc. I think it varies by what parts you have on your car. For my GTO with UMI 1" lowering springs and UMI control arms with 1/2" taller upper ball joints, it was a cakewalk.

[RocktimusPryme]

Well she’s all done. I did have to fight the springs a lot. Even compressed they just did not want to line up with the upper pocket. These being a dual rate spring may have affected that.

Lowered it a tick more than I wanted but it looks rad. Didn’t rub any on my test drive. Initially it lowered the front by 1.25, then after the ride and some settle it’s more like 1.75. Comfortable, not rough at all.

I’ll try it from the top next time. Initially I couldn’t picture that in my head but I think I figured it out.

I’ll post a picture later. It’s not working for me with bad cell service.

[RocktimusPryme]

Photo added.

[JLMounce]

Looks good!

[ZeGermanHam]

That looks spot-on perfect to me. I wouldn't want it sitting any higher, as there would be too much gap at the top between the tire and the fender.

[fiedlerh]

Notably, you have to devise some sort of way to keep the stamped arms from collapsing during both removal and install of the bushings.

When I did mine I got some iron pipe, cut it to length, and cut it in half lengthwise with a jigsaw. Fit them to support the control arm ears. They sort of mimic the tool s in the shop manual. Pressed the new bushings in with a big C-clamp since I didn't own a press back then.

[67Fbird]

I prefer to freeze the bushings and then 1 little tap...they are in.
FREEZE = 1 lb DRY ice + 2 bottles of rubbing alcohol in an old tin can (start with the bushings in the freezer...so you don't boil off all your dry ice..) this will get them down to about -150* F which is worth about -.003-.005" on diameter.