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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Installed a set of H&R springs in the fox yesterday

  • Thread starter Thread starter 89FOXVERT
  • Start date Start date Feb 2, 2009
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89FOXVERT

New Member
Dec 18, 2007
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Feb 2, 2009
#1
  • Feb 2, 2009
  • #1
So I bought all new Tokico shocks, struts and H&R springs for my vert about 6 months ago. I was not sure If wanted to tackle the job my self or have a shop install them. I finally decided to go for it yesterday. I only have the front's done for now.I am really happy with the way it turned out but man was it a pain to get those things in! I used the MFE method but it still took some doing with out the use of a spring compressor. I plan on doing the backs next weekend, I heard they are a lot easier. I don't have any pics yet but I will snap a few when I get them all in. For anyone considering doing this your self, it takes a lot of Patience.
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
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69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Feb 2, 2009
#2
  • Feb 2, 2009
  • #2
I took a coil off my rear springs last week and was driving it in a little over an hour.. rides much better imo its alot easier than the front, last year I was lowering my 90 vert and about to pull the spring out and all the sudden I was in the living room with blood on my shirt from where a spring attacked me, its much safer with a compressor..
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
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104
Dallas, TX
Feb 3, 2009
#3
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #3
Backs are realllll easy, itll take you about 15-30 mins if you did the fronts, I did the backs myself, and I left the fronts up to a shop.
 

Duncan McDougal

Active Member
Aug 17, 2005
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Gainesville, FL
Feb 3, 2009
#4
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #4
The fronts of a fox 3 are the biggest pain in the ass I have ever seen. I had to use a spring compression tool to remove the old springs and to install the new springs. That two inches or so that ford added between the spring perches in the sn95 remodel makes spring install so much easier on those models. My new edge was a breeze.
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
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194
Cincinnati area
Feb 3, 2009
#5
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #5
Cool....should get a nice ride out of that combo.

I don't get what the big deal is about the front springs? Are they a PITA without a compressor....or with a compressor? I guess I'm so used to grabbing a spring compressor anytime I've swapped springs.

When I swapped springs out in my old Wrangler...now that was a PITA even with a compressor!
 

MY 85 GT

10 Year Member
Mar 7, 2008
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New Jersey
Feb 3, 2009
#6
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #6
What H&R springs did you get how low does the front sit now?.....
 
H

habiv

Member
Oct 28, 2004
125
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Feb 3, 2009
#7
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #7
I will NEVER change the springs in the front of my car again! However, the backs went in with ease. Front springs are to a root canal as rear springs are to a routine cleaning

As "My 85 GT" asked, which H&R's are they? For some reason you don't see too many Fox's with H&R's. I have the H&R sport springs with bilsteins on my car and it lowered it nicely. However, the rear went down more than i liked, so I bought some adjustable rear control arms to rais it up a bit. Good luck with the springs, you will love the ride!
 

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Feb 3, 2009
#8
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #8
fronts aren't THAT bad. i've never had to use a spring compressor on any mustang i've lowered. i've even done the fronts by myself without a spring compressor. how are you guys going about doing it? i always just disconnect the caliper and endlinks, then disconnect the strut from the strut tower and lower it down slowly with a jack under the a arm until i can pop the spring out. by the time i have the jack lowered all the way, there isn't enough tension to do any harm, just keep your hands on it when you pull it out of the perch.

but yeah, the rears are extremely easy. just gotta disconnect the uppers, shocks and brake line and lower the rear down with the lowers still attached to the body, then reverse to put it all back.
 
H

habiv

Member
Oct 28, 2004
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Feb 3, 2009
#9
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #9
Taking the fronts out wasn't the hard part. Putting them back in...now that's another story.
 
Reactions: Jersey Joe

matador91

Active Member
Feb 1, 2007
107
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38
Bothell
Feb 3, 2009
#10
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #10
I never had a issue installing any of my springs until I bought maximum motorsport springs. Those mo fo's were a pain to install.
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
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Dallas, TX
Feb 3, 2009
#11
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #11
I didnt even attempt the front so I cant say how bad it is, for the rears you just put the rear on jackstands, raise one side of the axle as much as you can, than kick the opposit side out, put the new one in, do the same for the other side, put the sway bar back on, and you're done.
 

1993SSP

Founding Member
Sep 5, 2001
1,194
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37
Ky
Feb 4, 2009
#12
  • Feb 4, 2009
  • #12
The fronts are EASY!! I can take a spring compressor, impact wrench and 8 good stainless hose clamps (4 per side) and once the old spring is out I can put the new one back on the car in just a few minutes.

I am not recommending anyone to take this route, alot of people will bash me for the idea, but it works for me
 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman
Dec 26, 2006
0
10
49
Thomasville, ga
Feb 4, 2009
#13
  • Feb 4, 2009
  • #13
i have them on my 98 and they ride very well.
 
8

89FOXVERT

New Member
Dec 18, 2007
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Feb 5, 2009
#14
  • Feb 5, 2009
  • #14
habiv said:
I will NEVER change the springs in the front of my car again! However, the backs went in with ease. Front springs are to a root canal as rear springs are to a routine cleaning

As "My 85 GT" asked, which H&R's are they? For some reason you don't see too many Fox's with H&R's. I have the H&R sport springs with bilsteins on my car and it lowered it nicely. However, the rear went down more than i liked, so I bought some adjustable rear control arms to rais it up a bit. Good luck with the springs, you will love the ride!
Click to expand...

They are the H&R sports, I had the eibach pros on my previous car and they did ok but a lot of people I talked to that ran the H&Rs really liked them. I have always had good luck with Tokico blues so I decided to go back with those as well. I almost did the bilsteins but the few cars I have seen with them did sit pretty low.

I can't really tell how much it is going to lower the car yet because the backs are not done yet but I am hoping to have time to get those done this weekend. Then I will snap some photos. The good news is I'm not driving the car right now and its chillin in the garage so it should work out.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Feb 5, 2009
#15
  • Feb 5, 2009
  • #15
1993SSP said:
The fronts are EASY!! I can take a spring compressor, impact wrench and 8 good stainless hose clamps (4 per side) and once the old spring is out I can put the new one back on the car in just a few minutes.

I am not recommending anyone to take this route, alot of people will bash me for the idea, but it works for me
Click to expand...

Didn't this suggestion cause a huge, 7+ page commotion in tech a few months back?

I've never seen this done in person, but the pictures I did see scared me half to death. To each his own, I guess.
 
H

habiv

Member
Oct 28, 2004
125
1
16
Feb 5, 2009
#16
  • Feb 5, 2009
  • #16
Before the adjustable rear control arms



With the adjustable rear control arms



The car looked good the way it sat originally, I just wanted a little more rake to it. In the end, I am very happy with the springs and the quality of the ride. Hopefully the weather will get nice soon so that you can finish the job and start enjoying it!
 
M

mikemac58

New Member
May 22, 2009
19
0
1
Leesburg, VA
Oct 14, 2009
#17
  • Oct 14, 2009
  • #17
Well after paying a shop to do my Capri, I decided to do my Mustang on my own... a real PITA! I got one side apart easy enough by dropping the strut. The problem is I am just centimeters from getting the new Motorsport "B" springs back in to the top with my wife bouncing on the spindle... don't laugh she is 5'8" and 125 lbs. Maybe I need a bigger wife!

Anyway, seems like the tie rod is bottoming out on the rack and limiting the A arm travel. Do you think disconnecting the tie rod will let the A arm drop a little bit more? I do have the lower part of the inner spring secured ot the A arm saddle so it won't slip out as I push the upper part of the spring in.

Any other suggestions? I do have a hook and screw type inside spring compressor, but I am worried about it lining with the hole in the A arm once I have it all togther. Any other pointers from those that have done this?
 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman
Dec 26, 2006
0
10
49
Thomasville, ga
Oct 14, 2009
#18
  • Oct 14, 2009
  • #18
mikemac58 said:
Well after paying a shop to do my Capri, I decided to do my Mustang on my own... a real PITA! I got one side apart easy enough by dropping the strut. The problem is I am just centimeters from getting the new Motorsport "B" springs back in to the top with my wife bouncing on the spindle... don't laugh she is 5'8" and 125 lbs. Maybe I need a bigger wife!

Anyway, seems like the tie rod is bottoming out on the rack and limiting the A arm travel. Do you think disconnecting the tie rod will let the A arm drop a little bit more? I do have the lower part of the inner spring secured ot the A arm saddle so it won't slip out as I push the upper part of the spring in.

Any other suggestions? I do have a hook and screw type inside spring compressor, but I am worried about it lining with the hole in the A arm once I have it all togther. Any other pointers from those that have done this?
Click to expand...

you did undo your sway bar didnt you?
 
M

mikemac58

New Member
May 22, 2009
19
0
1
Leesburg, VA
Oct 14, 2009
#19
  • Oct 14, 2009
  • #19
Yes I did.
 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman
Dec 26, 2006
0
10
49
Thomasville, ga
Oct 14, 2009
#20
  • Oct 14, 2009
  • #20
habiv said:
Before the adjustable rear control arms



With the adjustable rear control arms



!
Click to expand...

wanna sell it?
 
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