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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Please HELP with Spring Re-install..

  • Thread starter Thread starter Na5.0HO
  • Start date Start date Sep 18, 2004
N

Na5.0HO

New Member
May 29, 2003
342
0
0
Michigan
Sep 18, 2004
#1
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #1
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

New Member
Aug 9, 2004
79
0
0
Sep 18, 2004
#2
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #2
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

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2001
577
0
0
South Jersey
Sep 18, 2004
#3
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #3
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
 
C

Camman

Founding Member
Jan 5, 2000
1,055
0
37
Las Vegas, NV
Sep 18, 2004
#4
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #4
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
 
C

Camman

Founding Member
Jan 5, 2000
1,055
0
37
Las Vegas, NV
Sep 18, 2004
#5
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #5
5o5speed said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Na5.0HO

New Member
May 29, 2003
342
0
0
Michigan
Sep 18, 2004
#6
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #6
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

New Member
Apr 2, 2004
278
0
0
Canton, Il
Sep 18, 2004
#7
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #7
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

Founding Member
Feb 5, 2002
1,909
0
0
Denver
Sep 19, 2004
#8
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #8
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

Founding Member
Aug 29, 2002
2,264
0
46
Collingwood, ON
Sep 19, 2004
#9
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #9
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!

Asha'man said:
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
Click to expand...
 
N

Na5.0HO

New Member
May 29, 2003
342
0
0
Michigan
Sep 19, 2004
#10
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #10
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
 
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