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Hey guys, need some help understanding the proper method for removing coil springs to install new upper and lower control arms. I see thousands of videos online about the use of an internal spring compressor which I bought, all the videos show the spring compressor in place and spring compressed, my question is how do they get the block with the arms through the hole in the lower control arm? Have removed coil springs from other vehicles in past but was able to use external compressors. Any suggestions?? Thanks
I use a thru the shock spring compressor (theaded rod and bushings) Belisle I think....works well. Also I raised the car up very high to lower the lower control arm as low as it could go...loosened the bolts a bit to make sure I wasn't torquing the bushings.
Then I completed the assy...and raised the control arm to appx. ride height and re-torqued the control arms.
Years ago (vette #2) I had a spring compressor pop off the spring in the garage when it was free and sitting on my work bench....it flew POWERFULLY toward the other Corvette.(V-1)...aiming for the headlight panel....Gravity won and it hit the ground!
I use a thru the shock spring compressor (theaded rod and bushings) Belisle I think....works well. Also I raised the car up very high to lower the lower control arm as low as it could go...loosened the bolts a bit to make sure I wasn't torquing the bushings.
Then I completed the assy...and raised the control arm to appx. ride height and re-torqued the control arms.
Years ago (vette #2) I had a spring compressor pop off the spring in the garage when it was free and sitting on my work bench....it flew POWERFULLY toward the other Corvette.(V-1)...aiming for the headlight panel....Gravity won and it hit the ground!
tighten up the upper/lower control arms,then remove the lower ball-joint nut,then back off the nuts on the threaded rod,you only need 1-2'' and it will go slack
to put it back together,use a floor jack to hold everything up in place,then tighten the nuts on the threaded rod,and re-tighten the lower ball-joint nuts
tighten up the upper/lower control arms,then remove the lower ball-joint nut,then back off the nuts on the threaded rod,you only need 1-2'' and it will go slack
to put it back together,use a floor jack to hold everything up in place,then tighten the nuts on the threaded rod,and re-tighten the lower ball-joint nuts
its real safe and easy
With what Dmax says.....and when I removed the ball jount and the threaded rod, the lower control arm hung way down with the spring (0riginal not aftermarket) still in. I grabbed it to pull it out thinking it was relaxed....NOT!....the thing flew out and missed my head by inches....scary...be careful
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Originally Posted by Helibudi
Hey guys, need some help understanding the proper method for removing coil springs to install new upper and lower control arms. I see thousands of videos online about the use of an internal spring compressor which I bought, all the videos show the spring compressor in place and spring compressed, my question is how do they get the block with the arms through the hole in the lower control arm? Have removed coil springs from other vehicles in past but was able to use external compressors. Any suggestions?? Thanks
i bought onr as well. I'm trying to remember cause it was perplexing. I think i lifted the car so when the tire hung down without ant shock or steeerig components on it, i had the room to slip iy between the coils.
I just looked at my picks, mine is a plate compressor and i slid the plates through the sides then put the rod in.
Hope this helps
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Apr 19, 2019 at 05:32 AM.
I use this method, only with 5/8 all thread. No pieces inside the spring, I use a large washer under the lower control arm on the rod and then a nut. I also split the ball joint apart and, if I'm taking the lower arm off anyway, I remove the control arm shaft bolts at this point and then loosen the rod nut, the whole arm and spring get lowered together. This method makes it easy for installation, super easy to align the spring, tighten the rod nut to compress and then bolt up the control arm shaft and ball joints.
Guys, Thanks for all the good advise ( especially the safety tips ) was able to remove the springs using an OEM 27035 internal compressor, got the control arms swapped out and was able to compress springs enough to re install. Hoooraaa!!!!
C3 corvette coil spring removal
...aiming for the headlight panel....Gravity won and it hit the ground!
With what Dmax says.....and when I removed the ball jount and the threaded rod, the lower control arm hung way down with the spring (0riginal not aftermarket) still in. I grabbed it to pull it out thinking it was relaxed....NOT!....the thing flew out and missed my head by inches....scary...be careful 
