Spring Swap

86GT · 07-26-2001, 10:31 AM

I've never changed the front springs before, and I've recently gotten a set of Eibach Drag springs. I can do the rears fairly easily (I'm changing the control arms with them too), but the fronts look like they're a little more involved.

Also, are there any small parts I should consider getting?

blue00gt · 07-26-2001, 11:10 AM

When I changed my front springs I just unbolted all the things that would prevent the control arm from being pushed down. I had a friend shove it down with his foot while I put the spring in.

Fox Body · 07-26-2001, 11:39 AM

There is a spring remover tool (dangit, I can't remember the name of it) that costs about $50 that helps. It goes up the middle of the spring and you screw it and it compresses the spring, then you just remove the spring. An improvement over all the pushing and pulling that would be involved without it, but then again, it is $50 so it does depend on how much you will plan on using it (or maybe you and a friend could put ~$25 each into it and both of you use it).

-----------------------------------------
351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback
Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

07-26-2001, 01:17 PM

Yeah, there's a tool,like Fox Body said, but I can't think of the name either. It made it relatively easy to do the spring removal and install.

------------------
'90 LX 5.0; 12K original miles (no sh*&); 3.55 gears; pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads; BBK shorties; MSD 6AL box w/ blaster 2 coil; Motorsport E303 cam; Pro-M 75mm MAF; BBK 70mm TB; Eibach drag-launch spring kit; Southside welded subs; K&N cone filter charger; Hurst shifter; Cervini's 3" turbo hood; A/C-less; cat-less; 2 chamber Flos; Corbeau racing seats; FMS 30# injectors; JMS chip; Holley 190lb fp; TFS track heat Intake (12.299 @ 113 - 1.78 60')

86GT · 07-26-2001, 03:00 PM

Thanks for all the quick replies!

My oldest brother has one, so I'm gonna borrow his compressor. Do I need any bushings or new insulators? Or do I just slap in the springs and air bags and go?

FordFasteR · 07-26-2001, 04:40 PM

Just install them and go !
make sure you line up the front springs into the spring perch correctly, or you'll have uneven height in the front...

make sure that the spring compressor tool you are gonna use is the kind that has 2 metal plates, one that slides in between the coils on TOP, and another plate that slides in the coils on the bottom of the spring, then, a long screw goes up from under the control arm into the spring and screws into the plates... then, as you turn the bolt (you may need an impact wrench to turn it) the springs compresses..... then you can remove the strut and pull the spring out from the top, remove the compressor tool, and insert it into the eibach spring and then re-install it in the reverse order as removal...

good luck !! dont be scared, its gonna sit high the first few weeks, until the springs settle a bit, it'll get lower but the launching will be much, much better than stock springs !

FORD !

------------------
5.0L 89 LX coupe
4.10 gears, CARB !!!
IM me at FORDFASTER

JR 302GT · 07-26-2001, 07:26 PM

Is it really that easy? I've got the Eibach drag springs coming, should be here tomorrow. I've seen the stock springs how the are kind of bent over in their perches and it looks much harder to get that tool up in there since they aren't straight. Am I thinking wrong?

John

Fox Body · 07-26-2001, 09:54 PM

I wouldn't say it's extremely easy. You may even have to either have someone lift up on the car (the side that you're trying to change) to stretch out the springs a bit or even put a jack under the car if just the person lifting can't give enough clearance to get the spring compressor inside.

Make sure you take your time though, those springs are really strong and have the potential to do much harm to the human body.

-----------------------------------------
351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback
Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

07-26-2001, 10:31 AM	#1
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Spring Swap I've never changed the front springs before, and I've recently gotten a set of Eibach Drag springs. I can do the rears fairly easily (I'm changing the control arms with them too), but the fronts look like they're a little more involved. Also, are there any small parts I should consider getting?

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07-26-2001, 11:10 AM	#2
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	When I changed my front springs I just unbolted all the things that would prevent the control arm from being pushed down. I had a friend shove it down with his foot while I put the spring in.

07-26-2001, 11:39 AM	#3
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	There is a spring remover tool (dangit, I can't remember the name of it) that costs about $50 that helps. It goes up the middle of the spring and you screw it and it compresses the spring, then you just remove the spring. An improvement over all the pushing and pulling that would be involved without it, but then again, it is $50 so it does depend on how much you will plan on using it (or maybe you and a friend could put ~$25 each into it and both of you use it). ----------------------------------------- 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

07-26-2001, 01:17 PM	#4
bada$$lx Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah, there's a tool,like Fox Body said, but I can't think of the name either. It made it relatively easy to do the spring removal and install. ------------------ '90 LX 5.0; 12K original miles (no sh*&); 3.55 gears; pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads; BBK shorties; MSD 6AL box w/ blaster 2 coil; Motorsport E303 cam; Pro-M 75mm MAF; BBK 70mm TB; Eibach drag-launch spring kit; Southside welded subs; K&N cone filter charger; Hurst shifter; Cervini's 3" turbo hood; A/C-less; cat-less; 2 chamber Flos; Corbeau racing seats; FMS 30# injectors; JMS chip; Holley 190lb fp; TFS track heat Intake (12.299 @ 113 - 1.78 60')

07-26-2001, 03:00 PM	#5
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Thanks for all the quick replies! My oldest brother has one, so I'm gonna borrow his compressor. Do I need any bushings or new insulators? Or do I just slap in the springs and air bags and go?

07-26-2001, 04:40 PM	#6
FordFasteR Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL, USA Posts: 92	Just install them and go ! make sure you line up the front springs into the spring perch correctly, or you'll have uneven height in the front... make sure that the spring compressor tool you are gonna use is the kind that has 2 metal plates, one that slides in between the coils on TOP, and another plate that slides in the coils on the bottom of the spring, then, a long screw goes up from under the control arm into the spring and screws into the plates... then, as you turn the bolt (you may need an impact wrench to turn it) the springs compresses..... then you can remove the strut and pull the spring out from the top, remove the compressor tool, and insert it into the eibach spring and then re-install it in the reverse order as removal... good luck !! dont be scared, its gonna sit high the first few weeks, until the springs settle a bit, it'll get lower but the launching will be much, much better than stock springs ! FORD ! ------------------ 5.0L 89 LX coupe 4.10 gears, CARB !!! IM me at FORDFASTER

07-26-2001, 07:26 PM	#7
JR 302GT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Altoona, PA Posts: 31	Is it really that easy? I've got the Eibach drag springs coming, should be here tomorrow. I've seen the stock springs how the are kind of bent over in their perches and it looks much harder to get that tool up in there since they aren't straight. Am I thinking wrong? John

07-26-2001, 09:54 PM	#8
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	I wouldn't say it's extremely easy. You may even have to either have someone lift up on the car (the side that you're trying to change) to stretch out the springs a bit or even put a jack under the car if just the person lifting can't give enough clearance to get the spring compressor inside. Make sure you take your time though, those springs are really strong and have the potential to do much harm to the human body. ----------------------------------------- 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body