coil spring removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
coil spring removal
Like many others I need to lower my front. To remove the springs is it necesary to loosen both contrl arms or just the bottom. If its both how do I remove the fan shroud to get access to the upper bolts. It looks like the radiator has to come out. I hope thats not the case. The car sits at 28 3/4 now. I don`t know whether to cut the springs I have or get VBP 550`s, I`d like it at 27", any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
IMO it's not worth the effort cutting the coils and not knowing what the result will be - you cannot just cut an entire coil off, start with 1/2 coil and see what it does. I varies from car to car....
It's easier to just buy new 550lbs coils from VBP - these are only $80 and get you where you want to be, mine was at 27 and 1/4" last time I measured, may have settled to 27" by now...
You likely have to get better shocks for these heavy springs, this can very easily be done later, it's only three bolts and you don't have to mess with the spring or control arms to change the shocks... depending on what shocks you have now you may not need new shocks....
It's easier to just buy new 550lbs coils from VBP - these are only $80 and get you where you want to be, mine was at 27 and 1/4" last time I measured, may have settled to 27" by now...
You likely have to get better shocks for these heavy springs, this can very easily be done later, it's only three bolts and you don't have to mess with the spring or control arms to change the shocks... depending on what shocks you have now you may not need new shocks....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by painterman52
I agree with you redbad. I still need to know if I need to loosen top & bottom or just bottom control arms for removal & replacement.
Careful: the original spring is very long - place a scissor jack under the control arm to lower it slowly and safely. I made my own spring compressor to make the job easier and safer. The threaded rod mounts through the hole that the shock uses. While lowering the lower control arm you loosen the nut on the threaded rod
Home Depot parts ($15)
This is the bottom end that holds the coils, the duct tape is on there to protect the powdercoated coils
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
listen to red bad because this is the safesty way for a novice. also a neat little home depot gadget is ( about 5$ ) to get a 3/4 rod coupling and 2- 3/4 x 3 bolts. use a 1/2 in. drill bit to drill a small depression into the top of each bolt head. use this to push apart the ball joints ( place between top and bottom ball joint shafts ) they will come out of the spindle instantly and will not harm ball joint boots like a pickle fork will.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
You can also "rent" all the tools necessary at Autozone and several other parts places. You give them a deposit and when you bring the tool back, they refund your money.
To remove the springs, I removed the shocks and then used the Autozone spring compressor. As pictured above, I ran it through the shock mount and only used the lower hooks. Use a ratchet and slowly decompress the spring. I removed the upper BJ.
Go slowly and wear safety glasses.
Ken
To remove the springs, I removed the shocks and then used the Autozone spring compressor. As pictured above, I ran it through the shock mount and only used the lower hooks. Use a ratchet and slowly decompress the spring. I removed the upper BJ.
Go slowly and wear safety glasses.
Ken
