Remove coil springs 69
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
If you have a small block, you don't need a spring compressor. I have done it both ways, and IMHO using a spring compressor is a major headache.
Support the car on jack stands or a lift, use a trolley jack to support the lower A arm, and pop the ball joint(s). Use a chain or rachet strap to keep the spring from popping out and bouncing across your garage while you let the A arm down and release the spring.
Reinstalling is easy, just align the spring in the pockets and use a stout bar clamp to hold the spring to the lower A arm while you raise it back up with the jack:
To each his own, but I never have liked wrestling compressed springs into place up under a car. This way, when the spring is compressed (or released), I'm standing off to the side only close enough to reach the jack handle.
Support the car on jack stands or a lift, use a trolley jack to support the lower A arm, and pop the ball joint(s). Use a chain or rachet strap to keep the spring from popping out and bouncing across your garage while you let the A arm down and release the spring.
Reinstalling is easy, just align the spring in the pockets and use a stout bar clamp to hold the spring to the lower A arm while you raise it back up with the jack:
To each his own, but I never have liked wrestling compressed springs into place up under a car. This way, when the spring is compressed (or released), I'm standing off to the side only close enough to reach the jack handle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,739
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
I've never had a car that was as easy to replace the springs like my C3.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I've never had a car that was as easy to replace the springs like my C3.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
I use this spring compressor. But instead of using the top hooks I remove it and put it thru the shock hole in the frame. Then a couple of washers and a nut and pull up on the spring. Then I take the control arm down from the inside. I don't break the ball joint loose.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 6
Well I was hanging around some older mechanics yesterday and one guy told me his method. Basically take everything loose with the exception of the shock, then let the preasure off the shock alowly and it slid right out. They all just laughed about needing specials tools and I must say it worked like a charm.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
I've never had a car that was as easy to replace the springs like my C3.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
I have an outer and inner spring compressor. After reading the Willcox paper on it I realized I can use my inner compressor in the same way.
An inner spring compressor has two arms that grab the spring. Remove both arms and with two washers slide the threaded rod though the top shock hole.
Now take the threaded compressor arm and feed it though the bottom of the spring. Connect it to the spring and the threaded rod and compress away.
That's the tool I've used.
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