85 front spring
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Englewood Fla
85 front spring
trying to install poly control arm bushing set and ball joints upper and lower. not sure how to deal with front spring. don't have spring compression tool. any help greatly appreciated. new to forum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
I just finished replacing the front spring on an '84. Had access to a lift, which was a big help. Used a floor jack and a five-foot 2x4 to neutralize spring tension and ease bolt removal. Used a tow strap connected between left and right lower control arms to pull them down so I could make room to work with ball joints, upper and lower spring shields, shock fasteners. Only took a few hours. Will go faster the next time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Car must be high in the air to allow for arc of spring as it comes out!
See
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 441
From: Albuquerque NM
in the process of control arm bushing replacement and ball joint/ wheel bearing replacement
i used a jack
put the jack under the lower control arm with the jack parallel to the spring (perpendicular to the length of the car)
jack the LCA up to get rid of tension. seperate the LCA from the spindle by prying the lower ball joint with a pickle fork (rented from autozone) then undo the shock mounts, either top or bottom. Bottom is easier because you can avoid undoing the fender pieces.
once the shock is disconnected from the LCA and the spindle is disconnected from the LCA the only thing holding the spring and LCA up is the jack. SLOWLY lower the jack and the spring will push the LCA down till there is no tension. VIOla, you're golden repeat on the other side.
I am trying to replace my front spring but can't get a solid answer on the spring rate for the 85 Z51 front spring. I am getting 360 lb/ft as well as 600 lb/ft
any ideas?
i used a jack
put the jack under the lower control arm with the jack parallel to the spring (perpendicular to the length of the car)
jack the LCA up to get rid of tension. seperate the LCA from the spindle by prying the lower ball joint with a pickle fork (rented from autozone) then undo the shock mounts, either top or bottom. Bottom is easier because you can avoid undoing the fender pieces.
once the shock is disconnected from the LCA and the spindle is disconnected from the LCA the only thing holding the spring and LCA up is the jack. SLOWLY lower the jack and the spring will push the LCA down till there is no tension. VIOla, you're golden repeat on the other side.
I am trying to replace my front spring but can't get a solid answer on the spring rate for the 85 Z51 front spring. I am getting 360 lb/ft as well as 600 lb/ft
any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
My chart sez HMZ is the code for an '85 Z51 spring. Rate is 65.5 N/mm. Don't know how that translates to foot-pounds. I just swapped an HMZ for the ultra-stiff (BMB) spring which made the '84 Z51 unbearable. Also replaced the rear (BMH) with an NYU. Oh, my goodness, it's a wonderfully different car.
