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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

I can't compress my coil springs...help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter RGurleyJr
  • Start date Start date Mar 4, 2007
R

RGurleyJr

New Member
Dec 21, 2002
22
0
1
Gautier, MS
Mar 4, 2007
#1
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #1
After getting L/T's done, I realized I needed a coil spring compressor. I went to AZ and got the internal one, yeah right, that's a joke. Then I dropped the control arm and tried jacking up and it went straight up instead of towards the k-member. I spent 3 hours today and got nowhere. Any other ideas? Is it common to take these things to shops to get them compressed?
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Mar 4, 2007
#2
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #2
ive never needed a compressor to get the front or rear springs out. just have to be really good with a jack and put lots of effort with your foot into the control arm.
 

Red35th

Member
Apr 18, 2003
609
2
19
Houston, TX
Mar 4, 2007
#3
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #3
Yup. Just step on the A-arm while someone trys to get the spring in there.

It takes some time but you'll feel it "pop" in.
 
F

flyboy86

New Member
Dec 5, 2006
94
1
0
Vance AFB, Enid OK
Mar 4, 2007
#4
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #4
For me, all it took was the stepping on the control arm, for the rear. However, for the front, I needed the spring compressor, similar to the one you said you bought.
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Mar 4, 2007
#5
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #5
i have never used a spring compressor. just take everything loose. sway bar links and all and it should pop right in place.
 

Shiroelex

There's nothing worse than aut
Founding Member
Aug 23, 2001
728
1
27
Westland, MI
Mar 4, 2007
#6
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #6
I stood on the front control arm, and popped the spring out with a big prybar. It worked alright for me.
 

tomustang

Psychotic Member
Founding Member
Jun 8, 2000
3,434
2
78
McLean Hospital
Mar 4, 2007
#7
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #7
disconnect the brake line to get more control arm room
 
R

RGurleyJr

New Member
Dec 21, 2002
22
0
1
Gautier, MS
Mar 4, 2007
#8
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #8
Guys, I am putting the car back together. I already have the spring out, I need to get it back in. When the A-arm is all the way down, the spring is at a bad angle and I can't get the bottom over the round hump in the middle of where it sits. I have the a-arm sitting on the ground now, I don't know how to try it next. Maybe the vert's are harder than the coupes?
 

tomustang

Psychotic Member
Founding Member
Jun 8, 2000
3,434
2
78
McLean Hospital
Mar 4, 2007
#9
  • Mar 4, 2007
  • #9
RGurleyJr said:
Guys, I am putting the car back together. I already have the spring out, I need to get it back in. When the A-arm is all the way down, the spring is at a bad angle and I can't get the bottom over the round hump in the middle of where it sits. I have the a-arm sitting on the ground now, I don't know how to try it next. Maybe the vert's are harder than the coupes?
Click to expand...

do you have the caliper brake line disconnected?
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Mar 5, 2007
#10
  • Mar 5, 2007
  • #10
take a long pry bar and pry the spring into place.
 

stangman

15 Year Member
Jul 10, 2003
2,690
10
69
in a 3 bed, 2 bath
Mar 5, 2007
#11
  • Mar 5, 2007
  • #11
RGurleyJr said:
Guys, I am putting the car back together. I already have the spring out, I need to get it back in. When the A-arm is all the way down, the spring is at a bad angle and I can't get the bottom over the round hump in the middle of where it sits. I have the a-arm sitting on the ground now, I don't know how to try it next. Maybe the vert's are harder than the coupes?
Click to expand...


continue to press on the spring while you jack up the control arm. if that doesn't work do what saleen said below. it's not easy, jsut take your time & make sure that you get the pigtail lined up in the control arm, or else the front will sit too high

SaleenGT2001 said:
take a long pry bar and pry the spring into place.
Click to expand...
 

gtvertsoon

New Member
Apr 17, 2005
154
0
0
Port Tobacco, MD
Mar 5, 2007
#12
  • Mar 5, 2007
  • #12
Do you have lowering springs? If so, this should be easy because the springs are much shorter. If not and you want a nice raked look, cut a coil off the bottom of your springs and it'll be easier to get in, plus the stance of the car will look much better.
 
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