I'm trying to finish a front end rebuild and have hit a snag. I can't get the springs to stay in the top and bottom spring pockets at the same time. I'm wondering if I'm putting them in upside down. I'm not enjoying playing with these potentially lethal parts. Do the tighter (closer) coils go to the top or the bottom?

Any tips on getting the darn things in?

Thanks

 

Yes, yes...tell me more. I'm thinking of cutting 1/2 a coil out of the front springs, but have never taken coils out of a vehicle before. I'm wondering how involved this is, or if I can do this in a weekend?

 

It took me only 3-4 hrs (including coffee breaks) to cut both front springs and re-install them... no big deal... BUT you have to be very careful with the original springs, these are very long and your lower control arm will almost be hitting the floor before the spring is loose...

Don't cut original springs, the 550lbs springs are on sale very often, they are between 59 and 79 $$...... it's not worth re-installing a 25+ year old spring...

You will need good spring compressors - do a search on these, you'll find several different designs and ideas how to safely remove the springs...

 

Ooops, I forgot about the question in this post : align the spring in the upper pocket, this one is more important than the bottom pocket - I do not remember one end of the spring having closer/tighter coils - which springs are you installing ?

 

Here is a photo of a set of 460 and 550 coils. The 550 is the shorter one. I can install either one of these without a compresser. I would not use a set of old coils either. These are cheap. I currently have the 550 in the car and it rides stiff but I like it like that. There is little difference from one end to the other on these coils.

 

Tighter coils go in the top.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=979924

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=979807

 

Jughead,

Thanks! I would have sworn that the tighter coils on the stock springs came out on the bottom. I installed both of them within an hour after reading your post. Spring orientation does matter.

Thanks again.

 

Is there a difference in ride height between the 2 of these?

 

Thats a good picture Gordon.

The 550's on the right, as reported here on C3CF, should drop your front end approx 1". I have a pair in the garage I didn't install yet.

I read about the coil spring spacing in one of the manuals I have when I was redoing my front end a couple years ago. It was only mentioned in one of the 3-4 different manuals I have.

 

It did drop the front end but only abour 1/2 inch over the 460 coils. I have only driven it about 20 miles since the new wheels and tires and 550 coils. The weather here took over. I'm going to give it a few more miles and see if I like it. It still is about 1/2 inch to high for me.

 

I just rebuilt my FT. suspension, with 550Lb. coils I didnt need a spring compressor. I left the shock in place when I droped the lower control arm,and be carful when you remove the shock because theres still some tension. (Iused a floor jack and when the shock was freed at the bottom I lowered the control arm the rest of the way). the springs have to be centered around the upper seat(which is flat). and you also have to position the lower spring end in the lower control arm,theres a place that the end of the last coil sits. when I slowly jacked up the lower control arm be carful that the top stays in place and that the lower part of the spring doesent move. connect the spindel and yr there. when you do the other side be as close as possible as you did on the 1st side. ya dont want different ride heights?,
the new springs compared to the original standard springs gave me about 1/2 to 1inch lower stance. the ride is firm,but I also like it way much better.
save the wave .

 

Thats funny the way post happen here. I am going to be putting my 550's# in this weekend. When I did my front end rebuild a few years ago I reused the original springs. In order to get them in I had my brother push the bottom of the spring with his foot as I raised the lower control arm with my floor jack. I did have and "inside the coil" spring compressor on them. The best way I found to use the spring compressor is to take off the "fork" assemblies from the compressor. Get a big washer and put the treaded rod of the compressor through the upper shock mount hole with the washer under the bolt head. Position your spring in the upper pocked then assemble one of the "fork" thingies on the spring and tread the rod onto it. Compress the spring by turning the compressor bolt head at the shock mount hole. Once the spring is compressed some (you don't need to go hog wild, just enough to let the spring clear the lower control arm)push the spring into the lower pocket. It is really easy. Also remember to leave your control arm cross-shaft bolts a little loose, drive around the block a few times to let the suspension settle then torque them with the car on the ground.