Please HELP with Spring Re-install..

[Na5.0HO]

OK... I had to drop the K member to replace my oil pump and pickup... well.. the K is back up and the motor is done, running great.

But... I can't get the freakin springs back in!!

All I have left to do is put the springs back in so I can reconnect the struts and put my wheels back on, BUT I can't get them in.

I rented a spring compressor from Murray's, but it hits the K before I can get the spring in.

Any suggestions... I've been waiting to cruise for weeks and it is B..E..A..utiful outside!!

Thanx for any help...
Jason

 

[5o5speed]

I had a lot of trouble when I put my springs in too. First of all, you really need two people to do the job. You likely are having problems because when you go to jack up the A arm the springs keep coming out of the perches right? The trick is to get a long pry bar and run it through the hole that is at the bottom of the A arm. While one person is jacking up the arm the other person needs to keep the spring in the perch with the pry bar by running the bar through the A arm hole and over the bottom coil of the spring to keep it in place. I tried to use a spring compressor too, those things are a pain to use and don't work that well on Mustangs.

 

[NOSNotch]

if 505's idea dont work;
i would run the compressor in the spring (assuming its the one that goes up thru the middle) and compress the spring down, then get a good thick linked chain and run it up thru the middle and then come out of the links closest to each end as you can go and put a good lengthed grade 8 bolt thru two of the links with washers and a nut, let the compressor off and if you compressed the spring enough you should be able to slide the spring up onto the k and then pull the a arm up under it and start jacking. This is the same way i do drag springs and i havent had a problem doing it this way. Should work for ya

Kevin

 

[Camman]

The easiest way is to actually bolt everything back up w/o the spring in there. Then take the two bolts out that connect the lca to the k member and put the spring in. Now jack the arm back up into place and bolt em in... your done. Sounds like alot of work but is actually really easy. This is not my method, some dude on the corral figured this one out... think it is CFE or somehitng, i cant really remember. It does work tho, and is way easier then spring compressors and things. I have been were you are only 1 time out of the 50 or so 5.0 spring jobs I have done. Then I read about this method. I am not in the typing mood right now, if you have any questions ask!! Later bro.. and good luck

 

[Camman]

I had a lot of trouble when I put my springs in too. First of all, you really need two people to do the job. You likely are having problems because when you go to jack up the A arm the springs keep coming out of the perches right? The trick is to get a long pry bar and run it through the hole that is at the bottom of the A arm. While one person is jacking up the arm the other person needs to keep the spring in the perch with the pry bar by running the bar through the A arm hole and over the bottom coil of the spring to keep it in place. I tried to use a spring compressor too, those things are a pain to use and don't work that well on Mustangs.

I am not so sure I would do that again... sounds to me like a BIG injury waiting to happen.

 

[Na5.0HO]

Thanx alot guys.. I'm off to try out your suggestions and hoping for the best... Stangnet really comes in handy!

Thanx again,
Jason

 

[NosPony]

i had same problem put a piece of pipe onto compressor to take the length out of the rod. It will save headaches

 

[Asha'man]

Undo the tierod, strut and caliper, and you'll be able to push the A-arm way down. Have someone hold it down with their leg with a floorjack underneath at the ready while you wrestle the spring into place....when you've got it in the perch, have your helper jack the A-arm up. It might take a couple of tries, but the spring will sit into the perch and you'll be able to hook everything back up once you've got the A-arm jacked up.

Ash

 

[Mavrick]

I used this method with my FMS C springs. It took some wrestling.. What i did, was use a chain and bolt to hold the spring in place, this would prevent the spring from popping out of the lower perch, and sat on the floor with my foot holding the spring while my friend slowly jacked the a-arm up until it was safe to get out of the way. The chain part is very important, if that spring ever pops out of the perch while your jacking the a-arm up, it will go flying and could take a good chunk out of your upper body!

Undo the tierod, strut and caliper, and you'll be able to push the A-arm way down. Have someone hold it down with their leg with a floorjack underneath at the ready while you wrestle the spring into place....when you've got it in the perch, have your helper jack the A-arm up. It might take a couple of tries, but the spring will sit into the perch and you'll be able to hook everything back up once you've got the A-arm jacked up.

Ash

 

[Na5.0HO]

Thanx for all the help guys, I got the springs in just in time for a late night cruise... took some maneuvering with the compressors, a steel rod and a friend with a big foot!

Gratefully,
Jason