coil springs
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
coil springs
I'm reassembling the front end after installing new control arm bushings and ball joints. The motor is out of the car. I can't get the spring to compress enough to set the nuts on the ball joints. I am using a compressor to assist. Any ideas on getting this back together?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I'm reassembling the front end after installing new control arm bushings and ball joints. The motor is out of the car. I can't get the spring to compress enough to set the nuts on the ball joints. I am using a compressor to assist. Any ideas on getting this back together?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
You need to either post a photo of the spring compressor you are using or attach a link to it so we can see it.
This is the one I use.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/T4MAAOSwzrxUzM6j/$_3.JPG
Another view of it. I DO NOT use the fork attachment at all.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI1OFg5MDA=/z/Xw8AAOSwezVWu2CT/$_1.JPG
The engine DOES NOT need to be in the car to do this.
DUB
This is the one I use.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/T4MAAOSwzrxUzM6j/$_3.JPG
Another view of it. I DO NOT use the fork attachment at all.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI1OFg5MDA=/z/Xw8AAOSwezVWu2CT/$_1.JPG
The engine DOES NOT need to be in the car to do this.
DUB
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Dub, thats the one I'm using. It collapses one side of the spring only for some reason. I've adjusted the foot and everything but can't get it to compress evenly. The coils are about half an inch from touching each other and the ball joint is about 3" away still.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
When you have the tool hooked on the spring....you want the hooks to go SIDE TO SIDE and NOT front to back. And I can not remember if the longer hook is closer to you or not.
QUESTION 1: Are you putting in factory correct springs or the Vette Brakes and Products 400+# coils springs????
QUESTION 2: When you write. the ball joint is about 3" away still. Which ball joint are you referring to...upper or lower?????
QUESTION 3: When you have the spring compressed.... as you stated.... where the coils are about 1/2" form touching each other....IS the spring in the lower control arm in the pocket as it needs to be?????
YES...I use my air impact on this when compressing the spring.
AND...even though I know some guys who do it....they only use ONE hook and hook it to the inside of the spring area opposite of you being right there in front of it... so it pulls the spring back towards the other side of the car. I ...personally do not like that due to the stored energy that this spring will have and I have been at a shop a LONG time ago when the guy was installing a spring and it let loose...and not needing to get into specifics....lets say...it WAS NOT GOOD.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Jun 9, 2016 at 07:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
OK, The springs were the stock ones that were/are on the car. don't see need to replace them. anyway, I did away with the compressor and did a trick my buddy told me about. Take a strap and wrap it under the jack, upper and lower control arms and frame, tighten strap an jack up lower control arm with spindle attached to lower ball joint. The strap will keep the car from rising and actually bring down the upper control arm a bit. It worked like a champ. Thanks for the help. Still gotta do the PS but gotta work this wknd.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
HOWEVER, the upper ball joint is not cinching down all the way. There is a small gap between the 2 mating surfaces, the spindle and ball joint. I have tightened the castle nut as far as I can by hand and have probably 2 threads max before the cotter pin is rendered useless.
Ideas?
Ideas?
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
I'm reassembling the front end after installing new control arm bushings and ball joints. The motor is out of the car. I can't get the spring to compress enough to set the nuts on the ball joints. I am using a compressor to assist. Any ideas on getting this back together?
Wes
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
YES...it WILL do that. It WILL NOT pull it up even. The trick is to make sure that you install the coil spring compressor to LESSEN the ANGLE.
When you have the tool hooked on the spring....you want the hooks to go SIDE TO SIDE and NOT front to back. And I can not remember if the longer hook is closer to you or not.
QUESTION 1: Are you putting in factory correct springs or the Vette Brakes and Products 400+# coils springs????
QUESTION 2: When you write. the ball joint is about 3" away still. Which ball joint are you referring to...upper or lower?????
QUESTION 3: When you have the spring compressed.... as you stated.... where the coils are about 1/2" form touching each other....IS the spring in the lower control arm in the pocket as it needs to be?????
YES...I use my air impact on this when compressing the spring.
AND...even though I know some guys who do it....they only use ONE hook and hook it to the inside of the spring area opposite of you being right there in front of it... so it pulls the spring back towards the other side of the car. I ...personally do not like that due to the stored energy that this spring will have and I have been at a shop a LONG time ago when the guy was installing a spring and it let loose...and not needing to get into specifics....lets say...it WAS NOT GOOD.
DUB
When you have the tool hooked on the spring....you want the hooks to go SIDE TO SIDE and NOT front to back. And I can not remember if the longer hook is closer to you or not.
QUESTION 1: Are you putting in factory correct springs or the Vette Brakes and Products 400+# coils springs????
QUESTION 2: When you write. the ball joint is about 3" away still. Which ball joint are you referring to...upper or lower?????
QUESTION 3: When you have the spring compressed.... as you stated.... where the coils are about 1/2" form touching each other....IS the spring in the lower control arm in the pocket as it needs to be?????
YES...I use my air impact on this when compressing the spring.
AND...even though I know some guys who do it....they only use ONE hook and hook it to the inside of the spring area opposite of you being right there in front of it... so it pulls the spring back towards the other side of the car. I ...personally do not like that due to the stored energy that this spring will have and I have been at a shop a LONG time ago when the guy was installing a spring and it let loose...and not needing to get into specifics....lets say...it WAS NOT GOOD.
DUB
I saw one let loose from an improperly fastened coil spring compressor and fly thirty feet across the garage and break the passenger window of another car. Some people put a safety chain around the spring as a fail safe measure.
