Front spring help, ASAP!

Chris_H · 05-09-2003, 11:07 PM

Ok guys, here is the story. I have some 4cyl springs that I am trying to install in the front. We were not too sure how to do it, but figured it couldn't be too hard. We got the spring off without a srping compressor, and got lucky with that, definately won't do it again. The problem is, we couldn't figure out how to get the spring back in because the compressors seem to have too long of bolts. Are the compressors supposed to be on the outside of the spring, or up through the control arm on the inside of the spring? We have the car on a lift, but since we were prying on the spring the car almost came off the lift on one side so we quit. we have the strut bolted up on that side, but the spring still needs to move towards the engine side about 2" to be seated. Any ideas on how to do that?? Also, what would make the passenger side go A LOT smoother and easier?? I really need to do this in the morning because its at a friends house and I don't want to leave it on his lift all weekend. Thanks for any help in advance!

Chris

Kevin Price · 05-10-2003, 07:50 AM

You will need one that goes up through the middle of the spring. I had a hell of a time trying to find the right tool, couldn't rent one anywhere.

I finally took mine to a dealer and had them do it. They had a tough time too.

R WEIR · 05-10-2003, 08:21 AM

I have never used a spring compressor to change front springs. I jaut get front end up in air as far as I can get it, then use a floor jack to raise and lower the Arm. Thats what I did when I had regular suspension anyway. I have coil overs now.

Mach 1 · 05-10-2003, 08:31 AM

If you have access to a press, compress the spring somewhat, and get some heavy duty rope from a hardware store and tie it down in the compressed position. It helps to figure out what angle it will go in easier, and tie the rope on the side that will give you that correct angle. Install, then cut the rope off later.

Was the ONLY way I could get mine to go in.

Chris_H · 05-10-2003, 11:05 PM

Thanks for the replies. We finally got the car fixed today. We ended up having bolt everything back up to the car, then unbolt the control arm from the frame. Once we did that we used the lift and the jack to move the arm down to get the springs out by raising the car, and then when we put the springs back in, we lowered the car on the lift and left the jack where it was. Took an hour to get it right on the one side, and literally 15 minutes to do the other side. Thanks again for the replies.

Chris

BLACK85GT · 05-12-2003, 07:12 PM

I rented a spring compressor from Auto Zone. Goes thru the middle and worked fine.

05-09-2003, 11:07 PM	#1
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Front spring help, ASAP! Ok guys, here is the story. I have some 4cyl springs that I am trying to install in the front. We were not too sure how to do it, but figured it couldn't be too hard. We got the spring off without a srping compressor, and got lucky with that, definately won't do it again. The problem is, we couldn't figure out how to get the spring back in because the compressors seem to have too long of bolts. Are the compressors supposed to be on the outside of the spring, or up through the control arm on the inside of the spring? We have the car on a lift, but since we were prying on the spring the car almost came off the lift on one side so we quit. we have the strut bolted up on that side, but the spring still needs to move towards the engine side about 2" to be seated. Any ideas on how to do that?? Also, what would make the passenger side go A LOT smoother and easier?? I really need to do this in the morning because its at a friends house and I don't want to leave it on his lift all weekend. Thanks for any help in advance! Chris __________________ 1987 LX, Best times: 13.47 @ 102.49, 1.80 60ft 6900' DA

05-10-2003, 07:50 AM	#2
Kevin Price Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Oxford, KS Posts: 935	You will need one that goes up through the middle of the spring. I had a hell of a time trying to find the right tool, couldn't rent one anywhere. I finally took mine to a dealer and had them do it. They had a tough time too. __________________ 2001 Mustang "Mach 1" SVO siamesed 351 stroked to 417ci,Yates heads, solid roller,Trans King glide. Best 1/4 ET 9.17 (ALL MOTOR) Best 1/4 MPH 147 My Car

05-10-2003, 08:21 AM	#3
R WEIR Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: caledonia, OH usa Posts: 288	I have never used a spring compressor to change front springs. I jaut get front end up in air as far as I can get it, then use a floor jack to raise and lower the Arm. Thats what I did when I had regular suspension anyway. I have coil overs now. __________________ 79 CAPRI 69 351w bored .030 69 heads 202/160 valves stage 3 port job milled to a 54 cc chamber Stealth intake modified 750 holley 1.6 roller rockers C6 3500 rpm stall 3.73 gears converted to 5 lug moser 31 spline axles 8 pt cage and a shot n2o to top it off

05-10-2003, 08:31 AM	#4
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	If you have access to a press, compress the spring somewhat, and get some heavy duty rope from a hardware store and tie it down in the compressed position. It helps to figure out what angle it will go in easier, and tie the rope on the side that will give you that correct angle. Install, then cut the rope off later. Was the ONLY way I could get mine to go in. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

05-10-2003, 11:05 PM	#5
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Thanks for the replies. We finally got the car fixed today. We ended up having bolt everything back up to the car, then unbolt the control arm from the frame. Once we did that we used the lift and the jack to move the arm down to get the springs out by raising the car, and then when we put the springs back in, we lowered the car on the lift and left the jack where it was. Took an hour to get it right on the one side, and literally 15 minutes to do the other side. Thanks again for the replies. Chris __________________ 1987 LX, Best times: 13.47 @ 102.49, 1.80 60ft 6900' DA

05-12-2003, 07:12 PM	#6
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	I rented a spring compressor from Auto Zone. Goes thru the middle and worked fine. __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

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