Front spring removal

Carnivore · Jul 13, 2005

K, I have my new suspension kit enroute. I need to get my install planned.

Is there a certain kind of spring compressor I should get or any of you would recommend? I swapped frontends on an 81 Crapi last summer.. I used an array of hose clamps to slowly compress the spring on that for removal and installation.. .. wait wait, no, it was only installation.. the springs just kinda popped out by themselves once I had the frontends out... thankfully they didnt hit anybody... Anyway the hose clamps worked, but it was very very slow.... and pretty ghetto too..

Anywho, are there any secret cool methods for getting the springs in and out or anything else related to a spension swap?

65ShelbyClone · Jul 14, 2005

Carnivore said:
Anywho, are there any secret cool methods for getting the springs in and out or anything else related to a spension swap?

Its no secret; use a real spring compressor.

pabear89 · Jul 14, 2005

Mmmmm........ Proper tool,
Prob 30 mins to remove and install with a air impact driver.

Backyard style....(Redneck way) somewhere half the afternoon for 1 side.
Poss loss of Body Parts High.

Feel "Lucky"

Let me ask 3 fingerd Joe.

PB

Carnivore · Jul 14, 2005

A buddy of mine got a spring compressor for his 65 Falcon but for some reason or another it didnt work. I forget why, but he ended up just making his own... Anyway, I'd like to buy one, but dont want it to end up not working for my Mustang. Have you guys heard of any issues with certain brands or varieties? Certain ones that are better than others?

grego37 · Jul 14, 2005

you should be able to go to your local parts store and rent the proper spring compressor. There's one that goes inside the coil spring with 4 hooks you do from the top. (most applications use this)
air impact gun will help allot.

and there's another that's 2 seperate pieces you can do from underneath

thehueypilot · Jul 14, 2005

I use a spring compressor for late model strut springs. It clamps onto the outside so you don't have to worry about getting it back out of the spring when you release the pressure.

cardude · Jul 14, 2005

when you have the potential for knocking your head off, err for safety. they are cheap to buy or rent and well worth it. I have always used a good spring comp and never had a problem. I have seen the damage a home grown spring compressor can have on fenders (not people luckly) and it was very costly not doing it right the first time.

krash kendall · Jul 14, 2005

You definitely need the internal type spring compressor as stated above. Wrap the hooks with hockey tape so they don't slip. For safety, I wouldn't recommend using an impact wrench with it, they come out fast enough with a ratchet. Wear gloves (I use welding gloves) and eye protection. Treat the compressed spring like a loaded gun - If its strong enough to lift the car, its strong enough to kill you.

Carnivore · Jul 14, 2005

Whats the difference between the inside-the-spring and outside-the-spring compressors? .. besides the obvious. Is one safer or easier to use?

I'm planning on just buying one rather than renting. It'll come in handy in the future a lot I'm sure.

krash kendall · Jul 14, 2005

External ones are generally used for Macpherson struts and aren't as strong. The internal type can get the spring out without removing the outer spring housing.

backsix · Jul 14, 2005

You can get a good Coil Spring Compressor from NPD for $29.95
Part number 988-1

It's on page 61 of there catalog which you can get online.

mudbilly · Jul 15, 2005

backsix said:
You can get a good Coil Spring Compressor from NPD for $29.95
Part number 988-1

It's on page 61 of there catalog which you can get online.

can you supply a link to their site

BQ97 · Jul 15, 2005

http://www.npdlink.com/

scrutmonkey · Jul 15, 2005

mustangdave · Jul 15, 2005

I plan to change mine this weekend along with some other mods. I'm going to use the NPD unit that I bought. It has a note that you may need to use washers at the top because the springs are short.
As far as I know, you remove the tower brace, shocks, shock plate, and you are ready to remove the spring. Anything else we should know?

krash kendall · Jul 15, 2005

Make sure you have new coil spring insulators or that yours are in good shape before reinstalling them, otherwise your springs will creak and squeak.

cardude · Jul 15, 2005

scrutmonkey said:

just a side note if you plan to use on your stang exclusively. I have one of these and I had to cut about 4 inches off the bottom of the scre to get it to compress without bottoming out on the spring perch. I also had to grind down a little on the upper arms so they would fit in the hole. nothing structurally problematic just a tight squeeze.

yeah yeah I just actually read the caption on the image... ignore comments LOL

Pbum5 · Jul 15, 2005

I bought one of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33582&item=7985859185

It worked well and was easy to use.

WarrenC · Jul 15, 2005

I just did this last weekend on my 67. I found out on this site that Autozone will "rent" you one for free. You put up the initial cost and get it back when you return it. Hard deal to beat, since you'll probably only use it once.
Anyway, I got the internal one first. I could not get it to work (not the same as the one pictured above) so I took it back and got the external kind for struts. I think it worked quite well for me. And as a bonus, you don't have to remove the shock completely to change springs. You do have to remove the apron that goes around the spring on the inner fender, but not a big deal.
Went much easier than I had thought it would, and once you've done one side, the next side is real easy!

Carnivore · Jul 15, 2005

Good deal..

ya, I may rent one if this was the only car I thought I'd use it on, but It'll probably get used alot between myself and friends. I have a 2nd 69 coupe for the future, my brother has a 66 coupe, buddy has a 65 falcon, and friends have other things.. .. It'll be used.

Plus, I just like buying tools.

Front spring removal

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