Front Coil Spring Removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
Front Coil Spring Removal
I am planning to start a complete front end rebuild/restoration. Does anyone have any tips on removing the stock coil springs and any other tips?? Thanks in advance!
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (l2vette)
I asked this some time ago, and got some great tips. Check it out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=453838
:cheers:
-Pedro
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=453838
:cheers:
-Pedro
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (Pedro'74)
Really easy, use a chain to secure the spring to the upper arm, then put a jack under the lower one and jack up the car a bit so the tension is off the spindle. Then unbolt the upper nut (not the lower, much harder to remove since it's under the arm) and lower the jack, CAREFULLY as the spring will try to jump out all of a sudden. This is why you have to make sure it's secrued properly with a chain.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (Twin_Turbo)
Really easy, use a chain to secure the spring to the upper arm, then put a jack under the lower one and jack up the car a bit so the tension is off the spindle. Then unbolt the upper nut (not the lower, much harder to remove since it's under the arm) and lower the jack, CAREFULLY as the spring will try to jump out all of a sudden. This is why you have to make sure it's secrued properly with a chain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (GDaina)
I found that the internal coil spring compressor was not locally available.
I didn't want to wait - so I used the floorjack and a big mother rope instead
of a chain. Piece of cake - but I was going to use a compressor if I had one.
Oh - I also left the shock in place when I popped the ball joints - just in case.
:seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 10:01 PM 10/2/2003]
I didn't want to wait - so I used the floorjack and a big mother rope instead
of a chain. Piece of cake - but I was going to use a compressor if I had one.
Oh - I also left the shock in place when I popped the ball joints - just in case.
:seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 10:01 PM 10/2/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (l2vette)
I did it the easy way. Can do both front springs in about an hour or so. But, be safe and do it right. I can be reckless when there is no one around.
http://home.hvc.rr.com/joesvette/coilsprings.htm
http://home.hvc.rr.com/joesvette/coilsprings.htm
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (78Vette-SA)
Be carefull with those internal coil spring compressors, because of the angle of the spring the arms can start spinning and let go, happened twice on me on two different occasions, luckily both times the spring was still inside the a arms.
Kinda scared to do it again now :eek:
Kinda scared to do it again now :eek:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (MotorHead)
Be carefull with those internal coil spring compressors, because of the angle of the spring the arms can start spinning and let go, happened twice on me on two different occasions, luckily both times the spring was still inside the a arms.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (GDaina)
Because coil spring compressors are made by shade tree manufacturers in china and are pretty dangerous tools if you ask me, I've used the jack and chain method for years without any accidents or any chance at one.
If you have done it once it's so rediculously simple it's even faster than the coil spring compressor
If you have done it once it's so rediculously simple it's even faster than the coil spring compressor
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (Twin_Turbo)
Because coil spring compressors are made by shade tree manufacturers in china and are pretty dangerous tools if you ask me
We all have our own way of doing certain things....and certainly I'm not going to criticize your method, anymore than you should criticize the use of a proper tool to do the job.
If you have done it once it's so rediculously simple it's even faster than the coil spring compressor
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Front Coil Spring Removal (GDaina)
I'm not trying to criticize anyone but I know from experience that these tools are low quality and dangerous, I had one come apart and the spring almost took out my ribs
