Coil spring compressor

firepig · Apr 11, 2004

Maybe some of you Mustang II owners can help me with a basic question:

I have a Mustang II type front suspension under my 67 Fastback and I'm in the process of installing the coil springs. I'm having a little trouble though finding a coil spring compressor to fit properly. Seems that the springs are wound a little wider than most compressor will fit on, and I really feel uncomfortable just crankin' em up with the floor jack and watching them bounce off the garage wall (or worse, the 67 Conv!)

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time.

Firepig

77sleeper · Apr 11, 2004

I just cranked mine with a floor jack, if you want slide the shock into place as a "spring retainer"

firepig · Apr 12, 2004

Thanks

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure I can do that though with these new springs. The lower control arm is all the way down and I can barely get the spring in there. Putting the shock in is not possible with the arm all the way down.

I may have to try to find an internal compressor with a more exaggerated stagger.

Northern J II · Apr 12, 2004

Never used a spring compressor on a II. I chain the springs when I take them out. Putting them in. Jack the car 2 1/2' off the ground. I start with the shock off (it gets in the way). with the lower ball joint seperated rotate the control arm as far as it will go, use a pry bar to get it to go an extra 1/4" put the spring in the upper spring seat, place a floor jack under the lower control arm and slowly and carefully squeeze the spring into place. Thread the lower ball joint nut on and bob is your uncle. Put shock in at this point. The way I see it, you either do not have the shock removed (the shock limits the amount the the lower control arm will rotate) Or you do not have the car high enough off the ground the lower control arms should look like so with the lower ball joint seperated _
/ \

jshcobra · Apr 12, 2004

Take the 67 Fastback body assembly off the Mustang II crossmember and install the proper Mustang II body for starters...

But seriously, you should not need a spring compressor. Here's how I'be done it in the past: rather than messing with the ball joints, you can also just unbolt the lower control arm from the crossmember and let it hang down. Hold the spring in place as you raise the lower arm back into the crossmember with a floor jack and slip the bolt back in.

Hope this helps.

Northern J II · Apr 12, 2004

jshcobra said:
Take the 67 Fastback body assembly off the Mustang II crossmember and install the proper Mustang II body for starters...

But seriously, you should not need a spring compressor. Here's how I'be done it in the past: rather than messing with the ball joints, you can also just unbolt the lower control arm from the crossmember and let it hang down. Hold the spring in place as you raise the lower arm back into the crossmember with a floor jack and slip the bolt back in.

Hope this helps.

That's not nice, even a re-styled Falcon deserves proper underpinnings!

Sorry, us Mustang II guys get beat on alot, especially by the owners of 60's Stangs, we have to get our punches in when we can!

a351Must2 · Apr 12, 2004

Amazing how many different ways this gets done. I undo the upper control arms, put the springs in, then use a jack to compress the springs and re-attach the upper control arms. Of course my method is a PITA when it comes to reattaching the upper control arms.

Last I remember, spring compressors are for cars with struts.

78pinto · Apr 12, 2004

well, i used a strut spring compressor on mine, worked fine. I'll be using it again as i have to cut the springs down cause the front end now sits like a '60's gasser!

firepig · Apr 12, 2004

Thanks

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to try it w/o the compressor. Either that or take Northern J II's advice! You guys should be flattered that some of us 60's guys and street rodders have decided to go with a superior front suspension!

zwhitr · Apr 12, 2004

firepig said:
Thanks for all the input. I'm going to try it w/o the compressor. Either that or take Northern J II's advice! You guys should be flattered that some of us 60's guys and street rodders have decided to go with a superior front suspension!

Flattered uh no more like flattened!!!

Our suspension is not what we want to be remembered by. Its more like the greatest power to weight ratio's ever and sleek body styling. The fabric of what kept the mustang name alive that most aftermarket companies have all but forgot. Its realy quite dissappointing to pick up a parts listing only to find out the 74-78 section is missing like somebody tore it out trying to erase its existience NOT TODAY NOT EVER ...
peace out

1badII · Apr 13, 2004

I used muscle to get mine in. I lowered the lower control arm as low as it would go, and squeezed the spring and pushed in.

78pinto · Apr 13, 2004

i must be a girlie man...i couldn't even get mine close to going in by hand!

1badII · Apr 13, 2004

I think I used a pry bar to help me, too. It was a pain in the ass on one side, though.

Northern J II · Apr 13, 2004

What the heck are you guy's doing???? I put brand new V8 Air Conditioning springs in the front of my Mach, there was a little bit of violance required, but not that much

firepig · Apr 13, 2004

They're in!

Hey, thanks again for the advice. Just put them both in in 20 minutes. I just had to put the spring in the upper seat then used a little muscle to get the bottom of the spring over the lip of the perch. Then I just pulled up very hard on the lower arm until I could get the floor jack under the lower arm and started jacking it up. Piece of cake!! I think all the horror stories I've heard about springs buckling and bustin' the crap out of various body parts are from the old 60's suspensions.

Save your money and heck with the compressor!

You guys are great!! Where else would you take a bunch of strangers' advice and risk breakin' a bone?!

Northern J II · Apr 14, 2004

Many cars require a spring compressor for safety reasons, a II is an exception to the rule. I have removed 100's of springs without any problems. I think you would have to be really reckless to have an accident. As with any dangerous procedure on a car, if you take the proper procautions and treat it with respect, you will have no problems.

cobraii351 · Apr 14, 2004

It's usually an easy job as long as you have the engine in the car. I tried it without and had a hell of a time. I hade to put a 2x4 from the fender rail to the roof truss to hold the car down quite an interesting looking arrangement.

Tim

Northern J II · Apr 14, 2004

I did the springs when the engine and the front body clip were off! I used large boned friends for ballast

cobraii351 · Apr 14, 2004

Northern J II said:
I did the springs when the engine and the front body clip were off! I used large boned friends for ballast

That work pretty good too.

Tim

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