Coil Spring Tricks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Hiram GA
Coil Spring Tricks
I,m tring to install new coil springs on a bare frame. Any tricks on how to compress the spring enough to install spindle assy with no weight on the frame? I'm using a 4 hook internal spring compressor, but still unable to compress the spring enough to install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Coil Spring Tricks (Simul8)
Get yourself a chain to attach to the front of your jack, wrap the chain around your Corvette's frame and atach the other end of the chain to your jack. Now you can jack up the lower a-arm to compress the spring enough to attach the ball joints. The chain will prevent the frame from lifting while compressing the spring ;) .
[Modified by SmokedTires, 12:42 PM 9/18/2003]
[Modified by SmokedTires, 12:42 PM 9/18/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: Coil Spring Tricks (Simul8)
Corvette springs (originals) are soooo long!. I used a spring compressor that had a long bolt. Feed the bolt through TOP of the frame down into the spring ie where top of shock absorber ends up. Use a couple of washers on the bolt so you do not damage your new paint job.
Compress spring slightly with floor jack ie not enought to lift frame but enough to get an extra turn on spring compressor.
Connect the bolt to the compressor bar, hook or whatever connects to the spring. This will pull the spring up. I used a rattle gun to turn the bolt (slowly) and tighten the spring. Once tight enough you can put your spindle and a_arms on then loosen the bolt.
PS Be sure to check the final position of the coils on the spring. Apparently it is important. It is in the CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL. From memory you need the end facing the inside. This allows for one of the drainage holes in the a-arm to be uncovered and lets the coil sit in the a-arm properly.
BE SAFE!
Pete
[Modified by stingry, 8:18 PM 9/18/2003]
Compress spring slightly with floor jack ie not enought to lift frame but enough to get an extra turn on spring compressor.
Connect the bolt to the compressor bar, hook or whatever connects to the spring. This will pull the spring up. I used a rattle gun to turn the bolt (slowly) and tighten the spring. Once tight enough you can put your spindle and a_arms on then loosen the bolt.
PS Be sure to check the final position of the coils on the spring. Apparently it is important. It is in the CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL. From memory you need the end facing the inside. This allows for one of the drainage holes in the a-arm to be uncovered and lets the coil sit in the a-arm properly.
BE SAFE!
Pete
[Modified by stingry, 8:18 PM 9/18/2003]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Hiram GA
Re: Coil Spring Tricks (Simul8)
They're in :hurray: Used the house hold down the frame. I put a 4x4 across the front horns and used a T-Bar that I used to haul a canoe againts the garage door header. Then it only took 5min to get them in. Wasted all day on this. :rolleyes:
Thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Coil Spring Tricks (keith72)
Rick,
Just answered your e-mail with almost the exact same suggestion on the 4x4 as a brace. Oh, the Bubba mind at work.... :smash:
Just answered your e-mail with almost the exact same suggestion on the 4x4 as a brace. Oh, the Bubba mind at work.... :smash:
I did the same thing in my garage when taking them out of the frame - 2x4 to the joist overhead.
:seeya
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