spring installation

Z28EATR · 02-12-2001, 08:50 AM

when putting in the new set of springs in the front how the heck do i get the spring compressor out afterwords????

Jeff Chambers · 02-12-2001, 09:29 AM

If you used the center type compressor, it should drop out through the hole in the lower A-arm. You can't use the external type spring compressors with the Mustang...you won't be able to get them out, if you can even get the springs in.

I usually don't use a spring compressor at all, but rather take out the A-arm pivot bolts and lower the inside of the A-arm with a floor jack, install the spring then jack the A-arm back up into position.

------------------
Jeff Chambers
Trophy Stock #3
11.97 Seconds / 114.5 MPH
Chambers Racing Team

withamc · 02-12-2001, 11:07 AM

JEFF CHAMBERS - I was thinking I could do the same thing. Do you have any lateral movement of the A-arm when you do it this way? Are there any problems lining up the pivot bolts when you put it back together?

2FastLX · 02-12-2001, 02:23 PM

I just removed everything except the pivot bolts and used a big pry bar to install mine. My springs are probably shorter in length than most but they are a specific rate spring and very hard to compress, but they went in real easily that way. You just have to jack the A-arm up a little at a time and keep tapping the spring into position.

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Z28EATR · 02-12-2001, 04:02 PM

i have already done one of the springs and i used an internal spring compressor, the new springs are rate specific as well so they are hard to compress, but since they are shorter you dont have to compress them as much. Anyways long story short i got them in. To each his own. Hey how do you tighten those strut bolts on top, i can only tighten them so much and then the whole strut assembly turns, very annoying, help!!!!!

2FastLX · 02-13-2001, 11:28 AM

You have to use an impact wrench on that to get it tight. Otherwise You might be able to clamp a pair of vise grips as high up on the strut shaft as you can and use that to keep it from spinning. Make sure you use some shims or something between the vise grips and the shaft so you don't scratch it up. I'd recommend the impact before trying that though.

Jeff Chambers · 02-14-2001, 08:34 AM

The A-arm stays pretty steady, as long as you're not jerking the jack all around. I never have a problem getting things to line back up as long as I take it nice and slow on the way back up. I always secure the spring with a few nylon straps, just in case things try to kick out. There's a lot of energy in those springs so you've got to be careful.

------------------
Jeff Chambers
Trophy Stock #3
11.97 Seconds / 114.5 MPH
Chambers Racing Team

Green92LX · 02-14-2001, 10:00 AM

What kind of springs are you putting in? I've done Eibach (sp?), BBK, motorsport, and even piece of $hit jam-x and always been able to sneak them in there without a compressor, I just swung the arm WAY down and they barely catch the edge, then just slowly jack up the a-arm...

------------------
1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors, Ponies w/ 225/50 Nittos, 93 Cobra Spoiler

Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 205K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.

02-12-2001, 08:50 AM	#1
Z28EATR Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Florence, KY,USA Posts: 210	spring installation when putting in the new set of springs in the front how the heck do i get the spring compressor out afterwords????

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02-12-2001, 09:29 AM	#2
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	If you used the center type compressor, it should drop out through the hole in the lower A-arm. You can't use the external type spring compressors with the Mustang...you won't be able to get them out, if you can even get the springs in. I usually don't use a spring compressor at all, but rather take out the A-arm pivot bolts and lower the inside of the A-arm with a floor jack, install the spring then jack the A-arm back up into position. ------------------ Jeff Chambers Trophy Stock #3 11.97 Seconds / 114.5 MPH Chambers Racing Team

02-12-2001, 11:07 AM	#3
withamc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 396	JEFF CHAMBERS - I was thinking I could do the same thing. Do you have any lateral movement of the A-arm when you do it this way? Are there any problems lining up the pivot bolts when you put it back together?

02-12-2001, 02:23 PM	#4
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I just removed everything except the pivot bolts and used a big pry bar to install mine. My springs are probably shorter in length than most but they are a specific rate spring and very hard to compress, but they went in real easily that way. You just have to jack the A-arm up a little at a time and keep tapping the spring into position. ------------------

02-12-2001, 04:02 PM	#5
Z28EATR Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Florence, KY,USA Posts: 210	i have already done one of the springs and i used an internal spring compressor, the new springs are rate specific as well so they are hard to compress, but since they are shorter you dont have to compress them as much. Anyways long story short i got them in. To each his own. Hey how do you tighten those strut bolts on top, i can only tighten them so much and then the whole strut assembly turns, very annoying, help!!!!!

02-13-2001, 11:28 AM	#6
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	You have to use an impact wrench on that to get it tight. Otherwise You might be able to clamp a pair of vise grips as high up on the strut shaft as you can and use that to keep it from spinning. Make sure you use some shims or something between the vise grips and the shaft so you don't scratch it up. I'd recommend the impact before trying that though.

02-14-2001, 08:34 AM	#7
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	The A-arm stays pretty steady, as long as you're not jerking the jack all around. I never have a problem getting things to line back up as long as I take it nice and slow on the way back up. I always secure the spring with a few nylon straps, just in case things try to kick out. There's a lot of energy in those springs so you've got to be careful. ------------------ Jeff Chambers Trophy Stock #3 11.97 Seconds / 114.5 MPH Chambers Racing Team

02-14-2001, 10:00 AM	#8
Green92LX Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: North Haven,CT Posts: 336	What kind of springs are you putting in? I've done Eibach (sp?), BBK, motorsport, and even piece of $hit jam-x and always been able to sneak them in there without a compressor, I just swung the arm WAY down and they barely catch the edge, then just slowly jack up the a-arm... ------------------ 1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors, Ponies w/ 225/50 Nittos, 93 Cobra Spoiler Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 205K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.