Front Coil Springs Install Help

1967project · Sep 26, 2011

Ok, I need some help on getting my front coil springs in my 67 installed.
I went with a grab-a-track front end and finally am putting the parts all on. (I wasnt the one who removed the old parts).
Went and rented the external spring compressors and didnt seem to matter where I placed the retainers on the springs, when I tightened it down I either could not get it compressed enough to install or the compressor shafts extended too much and made it impossible to install.
Since its a rental I cant modify the compressor tool, any ideas?
I belive the springs are 620 lb.

Thanks.

robbz28 · Sep 26, 2011

If they are 620 rated springs you shouldnt need to compress them. Have you removed the spring covers off of the inside fender well? You ought to be able to slip the spring up in there and get it seated on the perch without any special tools. The originals had to be compressed to be removed, but that was it for me.

zookeeper · Sep 26, 2011

You need an internal compressor to do early Mustangs. I think I bought mine from NPD for under $40

skywalker · Sep 26, 2011

zookeeper said:
You need an internal compressor to do early Mustangs. I think I bought mine from NPD for under $40

You can rent one from Autozone for...zero.

Just saying'

I've rented externals and internals from them before. OP should check back with them or another store locally.

1967project · Sep 27, 2011

zookeeper said:
You need an internal compressor to do early Mustangs. I think I bought mine from NPD for under $40

Internal may compress it enough, but how do I get the shock in there to secure it once I let off the compressor?
There is no engine in, and the spindles and wheels are not on.
Should I put those on to "add weight" to seat the springs, then put the shock in last?

Thanks.

robbz28 · Sep 27, 2011

The shock is easy, you just drop it in from the top (you have to remove the export braces first) You shouldnt need the engine or anything, its probably easier without it, more room to move about. I would also leave the upper control arm loose when putting my springs in, gives you a little extra slack, just run the nut up with your hand to where you know its not going to come loose, then once you get the spring settled in place you can then tighten it up. After that you might as well go ahead and install the lower control arms and spindles and strut rods, that will ensure that everything stays put.

If for some reason your shock won't reach once extended all the way, you may then have to have the weight of the engine (or a fat buddy) to get the shock secured...but i had 620, 1" lowering springs so I didnt have any problems there.

jackson0215 · Sep 27, 2011

I added washers to bring up the nut that is used to compress the spring. This will put it above the opening in the shock tower. If you do not add them the "screw" hits the spring perch and does not allow the spring to set down.

jackson0215 · Sep 27, 2011

I added washers to bring up the nut that is used to compress the spring. This will put it above the opening in the shock tower. If you do not add them the "screw" hits the spring perch and does not allow the spring to set down.

2+2GT · Sep 27, 2011

Use an internal compressor. To prevent extending the upper arm too far, place a piece of 2x4 between the arm and rail. I'm not kidding, that's what Ford did. The shock should be installed with the weight on the wheels. Much easier to do than when the suspension is hanging.

This is the factory spring tool:

This is the closest you can find to it:

Note the piece of wood:

palerider94 · Sep 28, 2011

2+2GT said:
Use an internal compressor. To prevent extending the upper arm too far, place a piece of 2x4 between the arm and rail. I'm not kidding, that's what Ford did. The shock should be installed with the weight on the wheels. Much easier to do than when the suspension is hanging.

This is the factory spring tool:

This is the closest you can find to it:

Note the piece of wood:

Ive rented and bought an internal spring compressor and have had trouble with arms popping off when I compress it (pretty scarey). I like the picture of the one you shown. Looks safe but how do you insert thru coils rings when coming thru top? Als where do you get these - never seen them before.

Never mind found them $270 yikes.

What I found is the ones with straight arms and then hook for coil like below - work good.

http://www.nationalwholesaletools.com/browseproducts/Internal-Coil-Spring-Compressor.HTML

An the ones that have slight curve in arm prior to hook are dangerous as hell. Like below:
http://www.toolworks.com.au/6915-internal-coil-spring-compressor.html

Subtle difference and might be hard to tell difference in pics. Only problem is the straight ones are tougher to find. i ordered the same model number of K-T compressor I borrowed from a friend and got the curved ones delivered. Did not realize difference unitl it kept popping off.

Couped Up · Sep 28, 2011

......... Things Not to do!

Mustang coil spring removal - YouTube

robbz28 · Sep 29, 2011

Couped Up said:
......... Things Not to do!

Mustang coil spring removal - YouTube

haha...thats exactly how i removed mine, but i heated the springs up first, so there wasnt nearly as much pop as that....still tho, kids, dont try this at home.

1967project · Sep 29, 2011

Finally got them on, took a spring compressor rental - upside down so the stud went through the shock tower slot. then I had to loosen it one quarter turn at a time with a open end wrench since I could not get a socket in there. Took a bit of time.

Slobin3d · Sep 29, 2011

robbz28 said:
haha...that's exactly how i removed mine, but i heated the springs up first, so there wasn't nearly as much pop as that....still tho, kids, don't try this at home.

I've seen that done several times, with the car under weight, use the smoke wrench to heat the springs, without cutting them and they will sag and release their tension and once they cool you can usually just pull them out

67rcks · Sep 30, 2011

heat springs?

you can make such internal compressor easily at home. all you need is some 2ft m16 (or silmilarly thick) threaded rod, with somehow fixed plate at the lower end that you attach to the lower spring perch.

robbz28 · Sep 30, 2011

67rcks said:
heat springs?

you can make such internal compressor easily at home. all you need is some 2ft m16 (or silmilarly thick) threaded rod, with somehow fixed plate at the lower end that you attach to the lower spring perch.

I was replacing them, no plans to reuse them ever again....i had no threaded rod, however i had a cutting torch. Once the heat hit them they drew up like my manhood in a cold swimming pool...

2+2GT · Sep 30, 2011

palerider94 said:
Ive rented and bought an internal spring compressor and have had trouble with arms popping off when I compress it (pretty scarey). I like the picture of the one you shown. Looks safe but how do you insert thru coils rings when coming thru top? Als where do you get these - never seen them before.

Never mind found them $270 yikes.

What I found is the ones with straight arms and then hook for coil like below - work good.

Internal Coil Spring Compressor

An the ones that have slight curve in arm prior to hook are dangerous as hell. Like below:
6915 T&E Tools Internal Coil Spring Compressor

Subtle difference and might be hard to tell difference in pics. Only problem is the straight ones are tougher to find. i ordered the same model number of K-T compressor I borrowed from a friend and got the curved ones delivered. Did not realize difference unitl it kept popping off.

Don't buy it, rent it, just make sure it's like the one I linked. The screw inserts through the top, of course, and the round plate slides through the coil, and through the screw. Extremely safe. Extremely easy. The type with the hooks scare me, I've had bad experience with them.

palerider94 · Oct 6, 2011

2+2GT said:
Don't buy it, rent it, just make sure it's like the one I linked. The screw inserts through the top, of course, and the round plate slides through the coil, and through the screw. Extremely safe. Extremely easy. The type with the hooks scare me, I've had bad experience with them.

Next time I need one I'll check autoparts see if they got them. I don't like the hooked either.

Front Coil Springs Install Help

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