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Front coil springs.

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Scott View Drop Down
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    Posted: 12-June-2015 at 6:34AM
I am getting ready to change another set of front springs on a 1976 Gran Torino. Anyone have any advise on the easiest way to change the front springs? I don't have a spring compressor tool. Advise?????
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-June-2015 at 12:41PM

I think almost everyone here will tell you that the safe way is to use a spring compressor.  There's a lot of potential energy in a spring, be careful working with them.   You should be able to rent a compressor from a parts place.  Failing that they aren't very expensive to buy, just make sure you get the proper type (goes inside the coil).  I did get away with installing my new springs without a compressor because they were so much shorter than the stock springs (Moog CVPIs). 

Vince

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-June-2015 at 12:51PM
Jack up car so wheel can droop all the way down.
Put jackstand under frame.
Take off wheel.
Disconnect sway bar and shock.
Put rachet strap or chain thru spring and around frame.
Loosen lower ball joint nut - a quarter inch or so - do not remove yet.
Smack side of spindle where ball joing stud goes thru with large ball pein hammer. Ball joint stud should pop and stop at nut.
Put jack under LCA and lift it some, but not enough to raise car.
remove nut from ball joint.
lower jack SLOWLY until jack is free, you should be able to take out spring.
Insert new spring, and jack LCA back up and reinstall ball joint stud and reattach nut and tighten.
 
 You can take the energy out of the old springs by heating them with an oxy acetylene torch, but they will be ruined when you are done.


Edited by Big Bird - 12-June-2015 at 12:52PM
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-June-2015 at 3:05PM
^^^ X 2
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Regul8r Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-June-2015 at 4:15PM
Originally posted by Big Bird Big Bird wrote:

Jack up car so wheel can droop all the way down.
Put jackstand under frame.
Take off wheel.
Disconnect sway bar and shock.
Put rachet strap or chain thru spring and around frame.
Loosen lower ball joint nut - a quarter inch or so - do not remove yet.
Smack side of spindle where ball joing stud goes thru with large ball pein hammer. Ball joint stud should pop and stop at nut.
Put jack under LCA and lift it some, but not enough to raise car.
remove nut from ball joint.
lower jack SLOWLY until jack is free, you should be able to take out spring.
Insert new spring, and jack LCA back up and reinstall ball joint stud and reattach nut and tighten.
 
 You can take the energy out of the old springs by heating them with an oxy acetylene torch, but they will be ruined when you are done.
 
Never used a chain or strap but do this EXACTLY as described.
Just did it to the Ranger yesterday for both fronts.
Also the SAME way when I did the springs on Lola.
The MAIN issue is when you have to put the new spring in, get it up in the seat of the frame and then you have to get it "CLOCKED" in the LCA and then getting the LCA jacked up to meet the ball joint,
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-June-2015 at 3:39AM
I use the strap after having a LCA slip off the jack while lowering. AFTER the fact, it was funny, kinda.
At the time, large spring exiting violently/energetically a foot away from me...not so much. There was a hill to fall down when I jumped back in surprise.
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
1979 T-Bird
2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD
How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Regul8r Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-June-2015 at 3:57AM
Originally posted by Big Bird Big Bird wrote:

I use the strap after having a LCA slip off the jack while lowering. AFTER the fact, it was funny, kinda.
At the time, large spring exiting violently/energetically a foot away from me...not so much. There was a hill to fall down when I jumped back in surprise.
 
Ah, yeah I can see that.
I just make sure the car is high enough that the LCA can swing/hang down all the way without hitting the ground and stand clear! lol
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-June-2015 at 4:19AM
Originally posted by Big Bird Big Bird wrote:

I use the strap after having a LCA slip off the jack while lowering. AFTER the fact, it was funny, kinda.
At the time, large spring exiting violently/energetically a foot away from me...not so much. There was a hill to fall down when I jumped back in surprise.
hmm, have you been hanging around joe a lot??LOL
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Bird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-June-2015 at 4:48AM
Forgot to mention, with the hill, there was mud involved, lots of mud....and flowers my mother was trying to grow...
So, yeah, it was one of those kind of adventures.
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
1979 T-Bird
2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD
How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?
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