Front spring removal question...

BLACK85GT · 01-10-2003, 07:04 PM

Do i need a spring compressor to take out the front springs on an 85 gt. The engine is out, so there is no weight in the front right now. When i jack up the control arm it lifts the whole body off the jack stands without compressing the spring at all. I am wondering if there is tension on the spring, and if so is there too much to release the strut safely? I have heard that springs just fall out of these cars, which they did for rears, but I dont want to kill myself with the fronts.

bad85gt · 01-10-2003, 11:28 PM

I bought a spring compresser at sears for like 40 bucks, I know I wouldnt be brave enough to try it myself, but yeah, sounds like there is some kinda tension still on it, if there wasnt it would fall out in theroy

crazypete · 01-11-2003, 10:12 AM

The stock springs are very long and are an atrocious pain to remove. You can disconnect the swaybar and the brakes and let it "fall" but then the tierod will hold it up. Be careful with the spring compressors, I had one break on me while removing it from the spring and the spring grazed my elbow as the 30 lb piece of metal _shot_ across my yard. I'm lucky I didnt break anything. These things could easily kill/dismember you!

I recommend... Get the a arm as low as it will go, get a long plank of wood, stick it behind the spring and use the wood as a lever. This lets you stand far clear of action and the spring will eject downward. This is how I remove my c-springs. You may need to put a little compression on them to get them to come out even with this.

Um....have fun!

fiveohpatrol · 01-11-2003, 01:50 PM

You don't need a spring compressor.

Here's my way of doing it.

-Lift the whole front end and set jackstands under it.
-Put a jack under the outter lip of the lower A-arm
-I dont have one, but you'll need to remove the swaybar mounts
-Remove the 2 strut bolts
(No need to remove the tie rods)
-VERY slowly let the jack down

Sometimes it will fall right out, but others I will have to lower the A-arm completely down and pry the spring out. It has very little tension on it at this point, but still be careful (don't pry it towards your open crotch

)

87BOSS351C · 01-13-2003, 10:55 AM

Chain the spring to the car. Then if the spring does try to go flying it won't go far enough to do any damage to the car, yourself, or bystanders (can you say LAWSUIT?). For the 30 seconds it takes to chain it up it is plain reckless to skip it.

shadow · 01-16-2003, 12:56 PM

I agree with Boss here. Just chain it to the car. I've done this many times and that is the best way not to get hurt.

Conman · 01-17-2003, 10:43 AM

Those springs are the one thing I am affraid of on my car.
when I did mine I was suprised at how long they are. I don't think I would want to just let them fly. I borrowed a spring compressor from a parts store just to be safe and it did not cost me a thing.

good luck with it

01-10-2003, 07:04 PM	#1
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	Front spring removal question... Do i need a spring compressor to take out the front springs on an 85 gt. The engine is out, so there is no weight in the front right now. When i jack up the control arm it lifts the whole body off the jack stands without compressing the spring at all. I am wondering if there is tension on the spring, and if so is there too much to release the strut safely? I have heard that springs just fall out of these cars, which they did for rears, but I dont want to kill myself with the fronts. __________________ 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

01-10-2003, 11:28 PM	#2
bad85gt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In front of this thing Posts: 34	I bought a spring compresser at sears for like 40 bucks, I know I wouldnt be brave enough to try it myself, but yeah, sounds like there is some kinda tension still on it, if there wasnt it would fall out in theroy __________________ Purpose Broken Racing Team Breakin stuff since 2001!

01-11-2003, 10:12 AM	#3
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	The stock springs are very long and are an atrocious pain to remove. You can disconnect the swaybar and the brakes and let it "fall" but then the tierod will hold it up. Be careful with the spring compressors, I had one break on me while removing it from the spring and the spring grazed my elbow as the 30 lb piece of metal _shot_ across my yard. I'm lucky I didnt break anything. These things could easily kill/dismember you! I recommend... Get the a arm as low as it will go, get a long plank of wood, stick it behind the spring and use the wood as a lever. This lets you stand far clear of action and the spring will eject downward. This is how I remove my c-springs. You may need to put a little compression on them to get them to come out even with this. Um....have fun! __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

01-11-2003, 01:50 PM	#4
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	You don't need a spring compressor. Here's my way of doing it. -Lift the whole front end and set jackstands under it. -Put a jack under the outter lip of the lower A-arm -I dont have one, but you'll need to remove the swaybar mounts -Remove the 2 strut bolts (No need to remove the tie rods) -VERY slowly let the jack down Sometimes it will fall right out, but others I will have to lower the A-arm completely down and pry the spring out. It has very little tension on it at this point, but still be careful (don't pry it towards your open crotch) __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

01-13-2003, 10:55 AM	#5
87BOSS351C Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Midland, Michigan Posts: 92	Here's a Tip to be Safe Chain the spring to the car. Then if the spring does try to go flying it won't go far enough to do any damage to the car, yourself, or bystanders (can you say LAWSUIT?). For the 30 seconds it takes to chain it up it is plain reckless to skip it. __________________ Black '87 LX 5.0 5 spd T-top with 450hp '71 351 Cleveland 4V, C6 tranny, "and some other stuff" Rice Haters Club Member #124

01-16-2003, 12:56 PM	#6
shadow Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: DFW Posts: 42	I agree with Boss here. Just chain it to the car. I've done this many times and that is the best way not to get hurt.

01-17-2003, 10:43 AM	#7
Conman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 351	Those springs are the one thing I am affraid of on my car. when I did mine I was suprised at how long they are. I don't think I would want to just let them fly. I borrowed a spring compressor from a parts store just to be safe and it did not cost me a thing. good luck with it __________________ '88 lx, Black on Black, check it out here Spent all my money on school, what a dumb mistake I'm old enough to know better, but still too young to care.

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