Looking for name/part No. for the best coil spring compressor to use for front rear of a 70 chevelle?

Look E-bay or your local automotive shops for an internal spring compressor. Worked fine for me (70 elky). For the rear no compressor is needed. Floor jack is enough.

I have yet to use a spring compressor and I,ve done a number of chevelle/elcamino suspensions.

I have yet to use a spring compressor and I,ve done a number of chevelle/elcamino suspensions.
Same here. :thumbsup:
Be careful and a floor jack will work just fine.

I've been doing this professionally for 16 years and except for struts and early Mustangs have never used a coil spring compressor (I don't even use them struts on the lighter cars...not that I recommend it). Jacks and stands work fine, just be careful and don't let the kids help.

here's a good thread on using the spring compressor.
http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=386527&highlight=coil+spring+install

i had all my parts powder coated, frame, control arms, and springs.
i didn't want to scratch anything so i used the compressor.
i, also, put some heavy cardboard under the washers against the frame.
no scratches whatsoever.
david

I put both front springs in my frame with out the body in 35 mins with a spring compressor thru the shock hole. Why jack around when it's that easy (and safe) with the right tool. But then, I'm just an amature. ;-)

I have yet to use a spring compressor and I,ve done a number of chevelle/elcamino suspensions.


I could say that until a couple of weeks ago. The springs in the Chevelle were what appeared to be drag racing springs with some type of small diameter wire with lots of coils and three or four inches longer than stock. Borrowed a spring compressor from O'Reileys.

One word of caution: I always run a chain through one of the coils and then through the 'A' arm. If spring does jump out your not eating it.

You only need a spring compressor to install the front springs, and yes you can do it without but why risk your life? I use an internal spring compressor that I got either from Snap-on or Mac tools almost 20 years ago. When removing the stock front springs be very careful cause they can still have a bit of energy left in them even when the control arm is fully dropped down, this is if the spring gets caught in the control arm spring pocket. I know very well about this energy in the coil springs, why you ask, I was doing a magazine article for one the major rags, the spring caught in the spring pocket and showing off I pushed the control arm down with my foot and BAM out comes the spring at about 25 MPH and slams into my ankle. That was one bruise I never forgot.

The rears require no special tools, just the tools to remove the lower shock mounts and a floor jack to support the rear axle when you drop it to remove the springs. By the way it can help to have a friend there to remove and install the rear springs, cause it is sometimes required to push down on the one wheel while removing the spring from that side, you just tilt the rear axle to get the spring out and back in.

Most internal spring compressor will work. It is a threaded rod with 2 hooks on either end that clip over the coils and squeeze the center section together. They are cheap and work best with an air powered impact gun.

i borrowed a friend's spring compressor. i think it was a K-D,
it says right on the tool "do not use impact wrench"!

david

Do not use an impact wrench on a spring compressor - ever!

Also avoid the chinese spring compressors - I had one blow apart on me while the coil was compressed (I would normally avoid most chinese tools, but this was the only one I could find on that day). I was lucky and neither the coil spring or any of the spring compressor tool parts hit me. Depending on your coil springs and how far they are compressed, they can easily have in excess of 1,000 lbs of tension - and will mangle any part of your body that gets in the way when things go bad.

Be safe, being manly and macho can put you in the hospital.

The techs who "never use" a spring compressor have never installed front drag springs.

Thomas

The techs who "never use" a spring compressor have never installed front drag springs.

ThomasActually Thomas you are correct. I have never and will never install "drag springs", even for money. I would lose a customer before I installed those things.

LOL Dennis, I wondered what kind of reply you would have!

I have removed and installed springs without using a spring compressor - but the extra couple of inches of free height of the drag springs make a coil spring compressor a very necessary tool.

Thomas