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Front Spring Compression

Old Nov 11, 2014 | 05:32 PM
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Default Front Spring Compression

I am doing an engine rebuild, and now's the time to replace all those worn out A Arm bushings, ball joints etc. I have seen several posts on how to compress the front springs, and they all look tenacious. Can I simply draw the spring up into the frame by running a compression tools threaded rod through the top shock mount hole? I have some pictures that show my set up, but I am concerned as to whether I am going to do damage to the frame where the top of the shock mounts.




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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 05:45 PM
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Lots of people do it that way. I use a bearing on the top to make sure I don't mark up the shock area but it's most definitely overkill.

You may wan't to be careful when unloading, some of the small block springs are incredibly long and you can run out of thread before the spring is unloaded.

M

Have a look here, it's install but same rules apply
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tallation.html

Last edited by Mooser; Nov 11, 2014 at 05:48 PM.
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 08:17 PM
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Willcox has a really neat way of dealing with it. Haven't tried it yet but it's worth a look.
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Old Nov 11, 2014 | 10:31 PM
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I made an inexpensive tool that worked like a champ. I read about it on the Willcox site.



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Old Nov 12, 2014 | 12:15 AM
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The threaded rod worked for me but instead of turning the nut with all of the spring load on it I put a jack underneath to take the force and the rod really just acted as insurance to make sure the spring didn't fly out.
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Old Nov 12, 2014 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 1977C34ME
I am doing an engine rebuild, and now's the time to replace all those worn out A Arm bushings, ball joints etc. I have seen several posts on how to compress the front springs, and they all look tenacious. Can I simply draw the spring up into the frame by running a compression tools threaded rod through the top shock mount hole? I have some pictures that show my set up, but I am concerned as to whether I am going to do damage to the frame where the top of the shock mounts.




I used the same setup and I see you are using a heavy washer under the top nut. I did the same. I did not ruin the top shock mount and I did it about 3 times to get the spring to set right. Make sure you have the top of the spring set properly it makes a differencs. There is a peep hole for you to check
Good Luck
Roger
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