Front Spring Install
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,003
Likes: 1,110
From: North tonawanda NY
I'm still sweating my *** off trying to get the 550 Moog spring in to the LCA Pocket. I took off the Upper control Arm so I could insert the screwdriver which helped locate the top inspection hole. I got everthing lined up with the Spring Compressor in place and double checked the top end of the spring. I brought my jack up and put in place to apply just enough pressure to keep things aligned. I tightened the compressor rod several times keeping some pressure on the LCA with the jack. As I tightened the compressor rod I would keep Jacking up the LCA untill I could see 3/4 of the spring going into the lower pocket. My problem from there was tightening the rod to the point that I thought I was going to strip the threads. I did rig up a strap and ratchet but that did nothing...not enough levearge. I took a large dead blow hammer thinking I could pound the last bit of spring into the lower pocket but all I managed to do was knock the hooks loose. and then start all over again. 3 Strikes and your out.. All I accomplished was getting hot and sweaty and super PISSED.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 492
Are the 550 pound springs that much different than the 480 pound springs ? I did the 480's on mine and they were so much shorter than the originals we popped them in with a prybar with a floor jack under the control arm on my 1980 after marking the spring and frame to go right into the pocket correctly by glancing at the marks during assembly
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 798
From: PA
Are the 550 pound springs that much different than the 480 pound springs ? I did the 480's on mine and they were so much shorter than the originals we popped them in with a prybar with a floor jack under the control arm on my 1980 after marking the spring and frame to go right into the pocket correctly by glancing at the marks during assembly
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 11
Front Spring install
Here's one with the LCA still bolted to the frame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnvHREKVGrw
Good luck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnvHREKVGrw
Good luck.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7,871
Likes: 4,265
From: Marlton NJ
With the engine out there is not enough weight in the front to use a floor jack.
The all-thread method in post #18 video works very well on a bare frame or with an empty engine compartment.
The all-thread method in post #18 video works very well on a bare frame or with an empty engine compartment.
