About these Front Springs ??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
About these Front Springs ??
OK... I have the front control ("A") arms back in the car and am trying to install the front springs. I'm using these replacement springs that came in my "Zip Kit" last year.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Despite them being shorter... I'm having problem getting them in there.
It's an "angle issue" I'm having. If I seat them correctly in the lower arm - they don't want to fit into the upper tower hole correcty. They sit "cocked" and don't go up in there all the way.
So what did you all do? Any other comments on these particular springs?
-W
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&
Despite them being shorter... I'm having problem getting them in there.
It's an "angle issue" I'm having. If I seat them correctly in the lower arm - they don't want to fit into the upper tower hole correcty. They sit "cocked" and don't go up in there all the way.
So what did you all do? Any other comments on these particular springs?
-W
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I used the same springs. They're actually quite a bit easier to install than stockers.
Yeah, it can be a little tricky. I like to get the hub mounted to the top a-arm and just let it dangle. Then I get the spring seated in the bottom arm and jack it up little by little. Sometimes they'll pop into place on their own once the spring flattens a little. If not, then a good solid kick (literally a kick w/ your foot) inwards on the spring will get it seated in the upper pocket. I'll go one pump on the jack and then a kick and then repeat. Then once the lower arm is high enough to swing the hub ear beneath the ball joint bolt, you're there!
Yeah, it can be a little tricky. I like to get the hub mounted to the top a-arm and just let it dangle. Then I get the spring seated in the bottom arm and jack it up little by little. Sometimes they'll pop into place on their own once the spring flattens a little. If not, then a good solid kick (literally a kick w/ your foot) inwards on the spring will get it seated in the upper pocket. I'll go one pump on the jack and then a kick and then repeat. Then once the lower arm is high enough to swing the hub ear beneath the ball joint bolt, you're there!
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,665
Likes: 341
Are you using a spring compressor? You need to compress the spring so that it is collapsed and you can get both ends of the spring in the pockets. It is the same as installing the stock spring except this one is shorter so there is less chance of it popping loose and doing damage.
Thanks
Justin
Thanks
Justin
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The 550# springs need very little compression to get the threads on the upper ball joint started. I used a crowbar to nudge the spring over as the lower arm was raised. The spring should then go into the upper pocket without much trouble. I put a screwdriver into the upper inspection hole and butted the end of the spring against it to align it. You have to adjust the jack pressure to get the spring just loose enough to rotate.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
My spring and both upper and lower pockets are painted - therefore rotation might not come as easy.
-W
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak MI
I agree, I put them in and jacked up a little and just kicked it a few times to seat them. Then I just twisted by hand to seat them in the inspection hole.
I used the same springs. They're actually quite a bit easier to install than stockers.
Yeah, it can be a little tricky. I like to get the hub mounted to the top a-arm and just let it dangle. Then I get the spring seated in the bottom arm and jack it up little by little. Sometimes they'll pop into place on their own once the spring flattens a little. If not, then a good solid kick (literally a kick w/ your foot) inwards on the spring will get it seated in the upper pocket. I'll go one pump on the jack and then a kick and then repeat. Then once the lower arm is high enough to swing the hub ear beneath the ball joint bolt, you're there!
Yeah, it can be a little tricky. I like to get the hub mounted to the top a-arm and just let it dangle. Then I get the spring seated in the bottom arm and jack it up little by little. Sometimes they'll pop into place on their own once the spring flattens a little. If not, then a good solid kick (literally a kick w/ your foot) inwards on the spring will get it seated in the upper pocket. I'll go one pump on the jack and then a kick and then repeat. Then once the lower arm is high enough to swing the hub ear beneath the ball joint bolt, you're there!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
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They should both be fairly close. My spring ends were about half an inch from both the top and bottom holes.