Front Springs are Done!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 535
Likes: 8
From: London Ontario
Front Springs are Done!
Well, after reading every thread and watching every video I finally tackled the front springs. I'd love to say it was easy, but, if a person is careful it can be done with simple tools.
I opted to only pop the lower ball joint and leave the brake calipers installed and connected. You will certainly need a floor jack, an internal spring compressor and a come along strap of some sort. As many people have warned in the past; the energy in the springs needs to be respected at all times! The stock springs came out with little fanfare, but, installing them was a bit harder. I used the 430lb grand touring springs which are quite a bit shorter (unloaded) than the stock, but, are very stiff.
Now if a certain forum sponsor vendor hadn't shipped my PS valve and cylinder by snail main instead of UPS, as I had selected, I could get the car back on the road for the weekend!
I opted to only pop the lower ball joint and leave the brake calipers installed and connected. You will certainly need a floor jack, an internal spring compressor and a come along strap of some sort. As many people have warned in the past; the energy in the springs needs to be respected at all times! The stock springs came out with little fanfare, but, installing them was a bit harder. I used the 430lb grand touring springs which are quite a bit shorter (unloaded) than the stock, but, are very stiff.
Now if a certain forum sponsor vendor hadn't shipped my PS valve and cylinder by snail main instead of UPS, as I had selected, I could get the car back on the road for the weekend!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: St. John's Newfoundland
Sounds like a job well done. Why did u have to change the front springs, did your car sit too high or too low. I replaced my front springs and replaced the rear with a composite single leaf when I did the rebuild and both the front and the rear has about 3-1/2 to 4 inches between the tires and wheel well opening. I don't know whether to order lighter springs or cut the front ones.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 535
Likes: 8
From: London Ontario
When I bought the car the front end looked to be a little low and it had a slight lean to the driver side. The lean was caused by a worn out rear leaf and was replaced a few months ago. I figured I may as well replace the fronts as the springs were pretty cheap. At this point just about everything has been replaced and should be good for another 41 years!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Sounds like a job well done. Why did u have to change the front springs, did your car sit too high or too low. I replaced my front springs and replaced the rear with a composite single leaf when I did the rebuild and both the front and the rear has about 3-1/2 to 4 inches between the tires and wheel well opening. I don't know whether to order lighter springs or cut the front ones.
Pete
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: St. John's Newfoundland
If it's too high (3-1/2 to 4 inches certainly is) first make sure the springs are fully seated in the pockets in the frame. If they are fully seated, the only alternative is to cut the springs. Maybe a half a coil at a time to avoid cutting too much and needing spacers to bring it up.
Pete
Pete
