Spring install??
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Spring install??
I have my upper and lower A-Arms installed and the spindle attached to the lower. Im trying to find out how to get the spring in there. Not enough room. Maybe jack the car up higher so the lower arm drops some more??. I read a thread on re-installing and Ive done what it said so far. What am I missing?. When I do get it in there I have the compressor so thats not what Im talking about.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Been there Shane. Jack the car up and drop the lower control arm as far as it will go. The spring will catch the inner lip of the lower perch and then you can jack the lower control arm up until the upper ball joint fits into the spindle.
Best,
Greg
Best,
Greg
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Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
I see what you're saying Glenn and it really could be done that way but the spindle tips way out for easy spring access and, more importantly, it would be more difficult to align the lower ball joint into the spindle. The upper ball joint is very visible.
Best,
Greg
Best,
Greg
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Wow, just got it finished. My issue is that I have stock springs. They are very long. Longer than the after mkt short thick ones.
What we did was:
Took the spindle all the way off. Used the spring compressor down thru the top. With the bottom plate of it in the middle of the spring about 3 coils up from the bottom. Compressed it a ways up then jacked the lower a arm up til it just cleared. Then pushed the spring in with my foot and jacked the lower all the way up til the spring sat in the lower pocket. Of-course making sure the coil ended before the drain hole. Then took the compressor out and ran it all the way through to the bottom and started compressing. Removed the jack and compressed til the spindle fit..
I never would have imagined it could have been that difficult. Luckily I have a Vette Veteran come by and help me.. Thanks alot for the help guys..
What we did was:
Took the spindle all the way off. Used the spring compressor down thru the top. With the bottom plate of it in the middle of the spring about 3 coils up from the bottom. Compressed it a ways up then jacked the lower a arm up til it just cleared. Then pushed the spring in with my foot and jacked the lower all the way up til the spring sat in the lower pocket. Of-course making sure the coil ended before the drain hole. Then took the compressor out and ran it all the way through to the bottom and started compressing. Removed the jack and compressed til the spindle fit..
I never would have imagined it could have been that difficult. Luckily I have a Vette Veteran come by and help me.. Thanks alot for the help guys..
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
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From: Peoria Az
How I've always done it is:
Remove threaded and unthreaded hook-ends from the compressor tool.Insert threaded rod of spring compressor thru the shock hole, It helps if you install a Nylon washer and steel washer under the head of the spring tool. Fish threaded hook-end of tool thru the bottom of the spring,hook springs about 3 coils up from bottom,short hook to the inboard side of spring. Thread spring tool rod into the hooked end. Now just start compressing spring,making sure upper end of spring is seated properly into its pocket. continue compressing until you can easily set spring into the pocket of the lower a arm. Install ball joint nuts,fully engaging the threads of the nuts. Do not torque ball joint nuts until weight is on wheels.
To make this job easier leave the upper and lower A arm snubbers off.
To easily install upper A arm snubber Put weight on wheels(at least the front),this will move upper A Arm away from frame. Spray upper snubber "tit" with silicone lubricant. snake your hand betweenthe fram and A arm and start snubber "tit" into its hole. Now raise front wheel off the ground by jacking car under the frame,not the lower A arm.
The upper A arm will move towards the frams and press the rest of the rubber snubber tit into its hole.
Remove threaded and unthreaded hook-ends from the compressor tool.Insert threaded rod of spring compressor thru the shock hole, It helps if you install a Nylon washer and steel washer under the head of the spring tool. Fish threaded hook-end of tool thru the bottom of the spring,hook springs about 3 coils up from bottom,short hook to the inboard side of spring. Thread spring tool rod into the hooked end. Now just start compressing spring,making sure upper end of spring is seated properly into its pocket. continue compressing until you can easily set spring into the pocket of the lower a arm. Install ball joint nuts,fully engaging the threads of the nuts. Do not torque ball joint nuts until weight is on wheels.
To make this job easier leave the upper and lower A arm snubbers off.
To easily install upper A arm snubber Put weight on wheels(at least the front),this will move upper A Arm away from frame. Spray upper snubber "tit" with silicone lubricant. snake your hand betweenthe fram and A arm and start snubber "tit" into its hole. Now raise front wheel off the ground by jacking car under the frame,not the lower A arm.
The upper A arm will move towards the frams and press the rest of the rubber snubber tit into its hole.
