Front Spring Install
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Instructor
Joined: May 2018
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Front Spring Install
I have rebuilt the A Arms and replaced the tie rods and all ball joints. Now it is time to install the 550 front springs. How does one get these springs centered properly so when you bring the lower A Arm up into position.
The upper amd lower arms are installed. I really have no idea.
Thanks!!
The upper amd lower arms are installed. I really have no idea.
Thanks!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,661
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From: Indiana
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 248
Likes: 11
Front Spring Install
All this information sounds like it is so simple, to me it is not. . How in the world can you keep the spring aligned just up to the top hole and get the lower A Arm positioned to jack it in place. Tried it it doesn't work. Do I need to remove the upper A Arm to get a better position.
My engine and Trans is out of the car so will I have to wait untill they are back in place for more weight? My spindle and brake assembly is also laying on my garage floor. I am totally at a loss as what to do and what steps to take to get this done.
Thanks
My engine and Trans is out of the car so will I have to wait untill they are back in place for more weight? My spindle and brake assembly is also laying on my garage floor. I am totally at a loss as what to do and what steps to take to get this done.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 1,824
From: Apple Valley, MN
First off, installing the front springs is one of the most dangerous jobs, particularly if you don’t understand all the steps needed. For your sake and your family, be 100% certain you have a game plan that you can execute without risk of seriously injury or worse.
Search the forum for other posts on how to do this. Very briefly, you will want to use a spring compressor that uses the shock mount platform hole for the threaded rod and a single pair jaws. This arrangement will hold the spring securely in the top pocket, allowing you to draw up the lower control arm and connect the spindle. No reason why
you can’t attach the upper a-arm/spindle before the spring. I just did this with my 69 with basically a bare frame.
Search the forum for other posts on how to do this. Very briefly, you will want to use a spring compressor that uses the shock mount platform hole for the threaded rod and a single pair jaws. This arrangement will hold the spring securely in the top pocket, allowing you to draw up the lower control arm and connect the spindle. No reason why
you can’t attach the upper a-arm/spindle before the spring. I just did this with my 69 with basically a bare frame.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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After you've done it a few times, positioning them both correctly and incorrectly, you get a feel for it and it becomes simple. That's not helping you now though.
With the car jacked up and lower control arm down, you can lay under it (your head on the front side of the LCA) and look up to see the pocket where the spring will seat. Position the top of the spring into the pocket and the back of the bottom of the spring into the back of the pocket on the LCA. Have a helper raise the jack while you keep it in position. What also helped on mine was I cut 3/4 of a coil off the 550 springs (the cut side goes into the LCA, the uncut side into the upper spring pocket.
That said, you've got two things working against you, 1) you have both springs out, so you don't have a known good one to compare the other against and 2) with the engine out, the front end is going to sit high, so you won't be sure if that's due to the spring seated incorrectly or the missing weight. I'd recommend waiting till you have the engine back in, then move forward on installing the spring. That will make it more obvious whether you have it seated correctly when dropping the jack.
With the car jacked up and lower control arm down, you can lay under it (your head on the front side of the LCA) and look up to see the pocket where the spring will seat. Position the top of the spring into the pocket and the back of the bottom of the spring into the back of the pocket on the LCA. Have a helper raise the jack while you keep it in position. What also helped on mine was I cut 3/4 of a coil off the 550 springs (the cut side goes into the LCA, the uncut side into the upper spring pocket.
That said, you've got two things working against you, 1) you have both springs out, so you don't have a known good one to compare the other against and 2) with the engine out, the front end is going to sit high, so you won't be sure if that's due to the spring seated incorrectly or the missing weight. I'd recommend waiting till you have the engine back in, then move forward on installing the spring. That will make it more obvious whether you have it seated correctly when dropping the jack.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
As mentioned above, position and mount the spring in the upper frame pocket about 3/8" from the inspection hole. I use 5/8" all thread with washers and double nuts on the top and bottom. The all thread goes through the frame, through the coil spring and into the lower control arm where the shock mounts. Put a little grease on the all thread, and tighten down the nuts. When the spring compresses enough, attach the bottom ball joint. Remove the all thread, insert the shock and you are done. No need to have the engine or transmission in the car. I did mine with the chassis upside down. Be careful and good luck. Jerry
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I understand the concept of using the spring compressor as described. The threaded rod is attached at the top of the shock mount but if the jaws are at the bottom of the collapsing the spring, wouldn't that capture the compressor in side the spring once the Lower A Arm is reconnected.I must be missing something.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
Using the "all thread" does not use jaws etc. You put the all thread in where the shock mounts. Once compressed attach the lower ball joint nut and cinch it down. Remove the all thread. That's it. Jerry
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,787
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From: Central UT
Hi C3Fixer; this thread may help. I had a few issues but fixed them and shared this thread so others could learn from my mistakes. Hope it helps. Best, Paul https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-springs.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
I understand the concept of using the spring compressor as described. The threaded rod is attached at the top of the shock mount but if the jaws are at the bottom of the collapsing the spring, wouldn't that capture the compressor in side the spring once the Lower A Arm is reconnected.I must be missing something.
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Instructor
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I took your advice and rented the spring compressor. The spring is up into the shock tower and the best I can tell is that the coil end is close to the inspection hole. I have a nylon belt with a rachet hooked to one of the coils and the other end to the frame I need at least 10 inches between the upper and lower ball jiont studs but right now not even close.with my jack positioned under the LCA I still see 3 spring coils below the Bottom of the shock tower. Do I keep trying to compress the spring or force the bottom of the spring into the lower pocket. Is it possible that I don't have the upper coil seated properly...reall hard to tell even looking up with a good flash light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
Put a piece of blue painters tape on the spring end to make it easier to see. As mentioned above, drop a screw driver in the hole and set the coil so it just touches the screw driver. Jerry
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Well it only took me an hour to fiqure out how to post the photo but not sure how I finally did it.. I have a a strap with a rachet hooks up to try and pull the spring in but not sure if that will work.No Safety chain which I plan to set up brfore I do any thing stupid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Wauconda IL
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
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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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
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.
Go to this link and start with post #8