SPRING CHANGE

5.slowmaroon · Nov 16, 2009

how do i change the springs in my 90 fox? i have the idea but like what tools or what to do?

tannerc91gt · Nov 16, 2009

Rent a spring compressor from autozone, get some hose clamps to hold it together and go at it

lancec2c30 · Nov 16, 2009

Rent the spring compressor at autozone.

But don't be a complete moron and hold the spring together with hose clamps.

5.slowmaroon · Nov 16, 2009

i cant get the compressor in there. what do you mean hose clamps? how do i do that?

stangbang302 · Nov 16, 2009

which springs do you want to change, the front or the rear? big difference

306notchback · Nov 16, 2009

Ive changed mine a few times, the easiest way ive found is place the jack under the a-arm and let it down slowly, theres no need for a compressor, then you will have to pry the spring out, do the back the same way with the jack under the control arm!

back2fox · Nov 16, 2009

306notchback said:
Ive changed mine a few times, the easiest way ive found is place the jack under the a-arm and let it down slowly, theres no need for a compressor, then you will have to pry the spring out, do the back the same way with the jack under the control arm!

Make sure to use jack stands. I use two small jacks, put one under each arm of the a-arm bolts to get pressure off the bolt then remove bolts and lower slowly.

The back ones are real easy. Jack up the rearend. Unbolt the shocks. Use another jack to raise up one end of the rearend and the spring on the other side will pop out. Repeat for other side. Be careful not to move the rearend too much because it could cause damage to brake line.

beyondspexj · Nov 16, 2009

and then reverse for the install of the front springs ( compress with jack, install bolts and let down slowly ) correct?

306notchback · Nov 16, 2009

beyondspexj said:
and then reverse for the install of the front springs ( compress with jack, install bolts and let down slowly ) correct?

Just gotta do the exact opposite of taking them out!

beyondspexj · Nov 16, 2009

sweet, rather ask then lose a body part lol. thank you.

HISSIN50 · Nov 16, 2009

For some ideas and background info, go to the Corral and search for the MFE method.

If you haven't done springs before, don't do them without understanding what you're doing and the PE involved.

beyondspexj · Nov 16, 2009

ive done springs before, but im so used to coil over strut setups. (atleast in the front end)

HISSIN50 · Nov 16, 2009

beyondspexj said:
ive done springs before, but im so used to coil over strut setups. (atleast in the front end)

I guess I should have said that if you haven't done removal of this type of spring before.................

There's probably still some uncertainty or you'd not be worried about losing a body part (this comment was a red flag to me. I'm very glad that you're so aware of the danger - that was why I suggested reading up some more).

Dealing with an uncaptured spring is much more risky IMHO - you have more variables to deal with.

People every year get hurt so I'd rather come off like a jerk than later hear that you were injured because a spring escaped, especially because some people in here post some really unsafe and stupid spring-removal methods.

There's no reason to increase the chance on injury with an unsafe method.

tannerc91gt · Nov 16, 2009

lancec2c30 said:
Rent the spring compressor at autozone.

But don't be a complete moron and hold the spring together with hose clamps.

its more of a helpful thing, but ya obviously you wouldnt want to leave it on there and risk having half your face removed when it fails

beyondspexj · Nov 16, 2009

its all good! i was only worried about how to get the spring out without it flying out from underneath the car haha. Ill probably give my dad a call since he did the front of his Lightning and mentioned before that the spring setup is similar ( non coil over shock ) so atleast i have a 2nd pair of hands just in case.

over all i know its easy as hell, just rather ask.

lancec2c30 · Nov 16, 2009

tannerc91gt said:
its more of a helpful thing, but ya obviously you wouldnt want to leave it on there and risk having half your face removed when it fails

I didn't mean to come off so harsh before. But I just hate to see when people recommend this hose clamp method. When is it a helpful thing and still not extremely dangerous? Anytime you leave all the spring's energy on just those hose clamps, your playing with fire.

tannerc91gt · Nov 16, 2009

lancec2c30 said:
I didn't mean to come off so harsh before. But I just hate to see when people recommend this hose clamp method. When is it a helpful thing and still not extremely dangerous? Anytime you leave all the spring's energy on just those hose clamps, your playing with fire.

its all good. i definitly agree its unsafe but ive heard a lot of guys say thats how theyve done it. was just passing on an idea, not saying its a smart one haha

HISSIN50 · Nov 16, 2009

I don't know what compressor people used from the parts-store but I did that method once and I had to shim the compressor's rod (otherwise it hit the frame before the spring compressed completely).

The proper clamshell compressor is expensive (it's an OTC product).

liljoe07 · Nov 16, 2009

You can strip hose clamps with a screwdriver. No way I'd trust them on a compressed spring. As Hissin stated, the clam shell type one of the best to use. But its not considered ecomonical if your only going to be using it once or twice.

FWIW, I use a chain to hold the compressed spring, along with a rinky dink spring compressor from AutoZone.

306notchback · Nov 16, 2009

The first time i did mine i used no references or any advice, just common sense! Its not really hard and alot of people make it out to be way more than it is! Its always good to be cautious especially on something like this, but as long as you have the car on jackstands, and let the arms down slowly with a jack youll be fine, the springs are in there tightly and arent goin to just fall out, as I stated before you will still have to pry on them to get them out.

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