Will I need a spring compressor for Pro-kit springs?

[1slowfiveoh]

Hello fellow Stangbangers,

Doing the SN95 Cobra brake/5 lug conversion this weekend and I am changing out the A-arms for the FRPP units. I have Eibach Pro-kit springs in the car currently, will I need a spring compressor or are the Eibach springs short enough to slowly lower the A-arm with a floor jack to de-compress the spring? Hope that made sense. It's been a long time since I touched the front end, I forgot if there are any issues in regard to spring length.

I just don't want any issues or bad things happen (like going to the hospital for a broken face from a spring hitting it) to slow down the process.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

Justin

 

[Lash]

I've heard no compressor needed.

 

[Reed]

You probably won't need one as long as you're careful. Might suck getting them back in without a compressor though.

 

[tunedin302]

I put in the pro-kit, and without unbolting your a-arm from the k-member, you will need a spring compressor. At the time I got an internal spring compressor from eastwoods. Now you can find them all over the place. Perhas rent one from autozone.

 

[1slowfiveoh]

Thanks for everyone's quick response! I will either go buy one to add to my tool collection or I will just go rent one from the AutoZone down the street. Thanks again guys and I will post pics once the conversion is complete. Have a great night!

Justin

 

[Shakerhood]

If you get one make sure it is correct! It should have 2 flat plates that go in between the coils and a threaded rod that goes up through the center.

 

[90mustangGT]

Sometimes you can use a pair of prybars. Drop the a-arm all the way down, carefully pry out old spring, the new one is a little shorter, use the prybar and hold the inner part of the spring to the innr part of the a-arm where it will seat, from the bottom, then push the controll arm up and it's kind of tricky, but it will eventually seat. Those spring compressors can be a PITA.

 

[Shakerhood]

Sometimes you can use a pair of prybars. Drop the a-arm all the way down, carefully pry out old spring, the new one is a little shorter, use the prybar and hold the inner part of the spring to the innr part of the a-arm where it will seat, from the bottom, then push the controll arm up and it's kind of tricky, but it will eventually seat. Those spring compressors can be a PITA.

The Correct Compressor is a piece of cake!

 

[Reed]

The correct compressor is nice, but if you can't find one, you might have to improvise like I did.

I placed the rubber stopper inside first, then compressed the spring from the outside using two matching extrenal compressors. After the spring was compressed about 2 inches, we used 900lb/in rated ratchet straps (springs were 600lb/in) to hold the compression. We also tied knots in the extra line so it couldn't slip through the ratchet. Once the spring was seated with a little help from a pry bar, we raised the A arm with a jack.

If you do it this way, remember you can't put the straps through the top and bottom tails since those have to seat. (See photo and use at your own risk!)

 

[1slowfiveoh]

Thanks guys!

Does anyone know if any of the chain autoparts stores carry the "correct" spring compressor like the one that is detailed in the Chiltons manual and the one that Shakerhood described?

I just don't want to be running all over town wasting time looking if someone knows offhand where to find one.

Again, I appreciate everyone's help Immensely!!!!
I am getting nervous, the project starts tomorrow...yikes!

Reed, thanks a lot for the picture!!

This is why I LOVE Stangnet.

 

[Shakerhood]

Not sure about renting one, I ended up buying one last Summer.

 

[tunedin302]

Does anyone know if any of the chain autoparts stores carry the "correct" spring compressor like the one that is detailed in the Chiltons manual and the one that Shakerhood described?

You will want an internal spring compressor:

View attachment 452587

If you are unsure of how to use it, go to http://www.maximummotorsports.com and then to "installation instructions" then to "front suspension" and then to "K-members"

 

[1slowfiveoh]

To all that replied, THANK YOU!!!!

Tunedin302, I thought that was the one I should use, but I was not sure. Thanks for the picture and the MM reference.

Shakerhood, Thanks a bunch!

Reed, Thanks for the idea about using the tie down straps.

90mustangGT, the prybar suggestion is a good one. I will have those close as a plan-B type of thing in case the compressor gets dicey.
Again, Thank you to all that replied. I hope that with all the info that I have recieved, this brake conversion will be less of a PITA than I am thinking it will be.

:SNSign:

Sincerely,
Justin

 

[Reed]

Sorry, one more thing. I actually rented the compressor Tunedin302 mentioned and (I may be a retard here but...) I could not compress the spring straight. When I got it close enough I could not line up the bar inside enough to properly seat the spring, so I went the route mentioned above, you'll need a helper.

Not sure about that one for removal, but using it to get the spring compressed again did not work for me. I just pried the spring out with a bar and kept my head out of the wheel well. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Shakerhood]

Sorry, one more thing. I actually rented the compressor Tunedin302 mentioned and (I may be a retard here but...) I could not compress the spring straight. When I got it close enough I could not line up the bar inside enough to properly seat the spring, so I went the route mentioned above, you'll need a helper.

Not sure about that one for removal, but using it to get the spring compressed again did not work for me. I just pried the spring out with a bar and kept my head out of the wheel well. GOOD LUCK!

Thats because that is the wrong compressor for the job, its not even safe for the job because the Springs Diameter exceeds the limits of that type of Compressor.

 

[90mustangGT]

Yeah, really, be carefull. A spring is stored energy, enough energy to kill you.

 

[93FiveO]

Sometimes you can use a pair of prybars. Drop the a-arm all the way down, carefully pry out old spring, the new one is a little shorter, use the prybar and hold the inner part of the spring to the innr part of the a-arm where it will seat, from the bottom, then push the controll arm up and it's kind of tricky, but it will eventually seat. Those spring compressors can be a PITA.

That's how we had to do mine.I don't see away to do it with that autozone compressor it didn't move the spring by about a 1/4 of an inch I put all my weight on one of the springs and it didn't move..and thats 200lbs

 

[HISSIN50]

I was forced to use an internal compressor (on stock height vert springs) and it wasn't pleasant.

Someone in Tech recently (within 6 month) posted that the AZ in his neighborhood sold a clam shell compressor. I havent been able to find it though around here.

Hands down, Shaker is correct. Many of us have to improvise though.

 

[tunedin302]

Thats because that is the wrong compressor for the job, its not even safe for the job because the Springs Diameter exceeds the limits of that type of Compressor.

What is? an internal spring compressor is the wrong one for the job?

 

[Reed]

That specific one is. You may be able to assemble it with the spring in the car, but I don't think it's worth th time to use it for installation. I couldn't see a good way to get it out or line it up. For reference, this is the proper Ford spring compressor.

http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1357

View attachment 452533