Best Spring Compressor for a C3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I believe Willcox has a description of how to build one on their website.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/c...r-on-a-budget/
Last edited by Street Rat; Aug 4, 2017 at 10:43 PM. Reason: add link
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,025
Likes: 9,380
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
All thread works well get 7/16 fine thread and some big heaver washers, some nuts and have some fun
Last edited by Nowhere Man; Aug 5, 2017 at 09:30 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I can't understand the chance people take installing the springs.
If something slips while the spring is near it's compressed height the spring will either hit you square in the face or hit the floor and then hit you in the face.
Not worth the chance…. EVER.
Chain the spring to the frame and use a simple spring compressor made from threaded rod.
Regards,
Alan
I can't understand the chance people take installing the springs.
If something slips while the spring is near it's compressed height the spring will either hit you square in the face or hit the floor and then hit you in the face.
Not worth the chance…. EVER.
Chain the spring to the frame and use a simple spring compressor made from threaded rod.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Most of the auto parts stores have a free tool loaner program .You just pay a deposit and when the tool is returned they will refund it . That is just to assure that you bring it back .
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
Oh man...
I just finished our 81's spring install.
Seems like when we were kids I just muscled them in there.
How time has changed..........
This time I rented 3 different compressors. The lower control arm hits the
headers to a point where it will not swing lower. After using the 3rd
I finally went back to the first screw compressor, and bent the spring
enough that it would fit in the perch.
Only to find that it isn't seated in it's locator.
Look closely at yours. You may be very disappointed.
After getting it seated correctly up there, I used a come along to drag it up the a-arm to it's seat.
No wonder everybody uses those booster things in the coils for height.
I need a drink.......
I just finished our 81's spring install.
Seems like when we were kids I just muscled them in there.
How time has changed..........
This time I rented 3 different compressors. The lower control arm hits the
headers to a point where it will not swing lower. After using the 3rd
I finally went back to the first screw compressor, and bent the spring
enough that it would fit in the perch.
Only to find that it isn't seated in it's locator.
Look closely at yours. You may be very disappointed.
After getting it seated correctly up there, I used a come along to drag it up the a-arm to it's seat.
No wonder everybody uses those booster things in the coils for height.
I need a drink.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I don't 100% trust those spring compressors, they make me nervous. I use a piece of 5/8 all thread through the shock hole with washers and a nut on top and a big washer and nut under the lower control arm shock hole. No way anything can slip. You can tighten it up and then knock the ball joint loose then loosen the nut on the all thread till all the spring tension is gone. Going back together is a piece of cake too. Get it all set and twist the spring to align the end in the pocket, you can start with the lower control arm shaft unbolted and then compress the spring and bolt it to the frame. You can also do it with either the ball joint connected or the shaft bolted to the frame and compress the spring from there.
I'll use store bought spring compressors when I have no other choice, but not on this job.
I'll use store bought spring compressors when I have no other choice, but not on this job.