Ok I know there are alot of posts on the subject, but which is the best/fastest way to remove and install the front springs. I have an internal spring compressor, but my question is, should I disassemble taking the ball joint out, or taking the lower control arm bolts out? In there now are small block springs holding up a big block and th400 trans. I was planning on getting new ball joints anyway, and that way seems a bit easier, but wanted to get feeback first. What yall think?

Thanks,

Tim

Helped a buddy replace his used a lift and floor jack, did it by the ball joints then removed the lower control arms and replaced ball joints. we did not have a spring compressor got lucky I guess they did not chop off one of our arms.... the springs are pretty tall this was on a 70. also may want to replace the control arm bushings while your there. he used urathane car has a completly diffrent feel...good luck hope this helps James

Factory manual for my '68 shows an adapter for a floor jack so that you leave the ball joint connected and disconnect the control arm at the bushings instead.

Haven't done it that way, though.

I like the internal spring compressor. A work of caution...When you remove that compressed spring, you are holding a loaded cannon in your hand! When you remove the spring compressor with the spring out of the car, put the spring on the ground facing perpendicular to you or anyone else. That way if the spring compressor should let go, the spring will fly to your left or right and not at you. Oh, and make sure your car is not in the line of fire.

How do I know this? I had it happen. I rented a spring compressor and the shaft was bent a little. I unwisely used it anyway, but I had enough brains to remove the spring like I described as above. Sure enough, I had the spring on the ground (laying on it's side). While I was unscrewing it with the impact, I heard a big BANG, saw a spark, and the spring literally disappeared. I had to search the garage for it. It went across the garage, and had the door been open would have probably ended up down the driveway. So be careful!

Factory manual for my '68 shows an adapter for a floor jack so that you leave the ball joint connected and disconnect the control arm at the bushings instead.

Haven't done it that way, though.

This is how I just did mine and I didnt need any special adapter.

Used a spring compressor through the top shock hole (only used one side of the compressor arms, washers and side you crank on sat on top of upper shock mount hole and the lower arms of the spring compressor on the spring then when tightened it draws the spring upward off the lower and holds it there)

Then used the floor jack with a piece of wood under the lower arm on the back side and undid the to bushings, dropped it out from the back. Once down, just turn and release the spring compressor and it will slowly drop it out, release compression but the compressor will hold the sprig in the pocket because its mounted and stuck through the upper shock mount hole. No way for it to break loose on you but I did still use hefty transport straps around the arms and spring just in case.

Quick and easy once I figured out how to do it. Had to cause I had a hell of a time trying to break the BJ's loose.

Thanks guys for the feedback. How long did it take you guys? I have the weekend and only the weekend. Then I pack up and move back to my home state, (from military school). Just want to make sure I have enough time to do it. Sounds pretty straight forward, but we all know how that goes. Beaux, what did you man by "only use one side of compressor arms"? I am familiar with the internal compressor that has the long and short arm. Seems I would need to hook both up? Think I misunderstood.

Tim

Thanks guys for the feedback. How long did it take you guys? I have the weekend and only the weekend. Then I pack up and move back to my home state, (from military school). Just want to make sure I have enough time to do it. Sounds pretty straight forward, but we all know how that goes. Beaux, what did you man by "only use one side of compressor arms"? I am familiar with the internal compressor that has the long and short arm. Seems I would need to hook both up? Think I misunderstood.

Tim
two sets of arms on the compressor. I only used one side. The other set that winds off / unscrews I left on the floor of my garage. That side was used with the washers through the upper shock hole with no arms on it. So the compressor was slid into the spring, arms on the bottom only, long threaded rod coming up through the spring and out the top shock hole. Washers stacked on the shock mount and then I cranked away. WIth the arms on on the spring in the pocket the compressor is stabilized by the upper shock hole and its using the upper shock mount / washers as the set / doesnt move side. So it pulls the spring up into the pocket and off the lower arm so that the lower arm can be dropped out from the back and the sprint is still stuck up in the pocket. Loosen compressor and it falls right down and drops out.

Its hard to type this and I suck at drawing so I hope you get what im saying.

Took about 20 minutes or so total per side.

Ok I get it. I just dont think I have used the kind youre talking about. Sounds easier for sure! The one the rent at autozone has simply a rod with two arms. One is shorter than the other to fit around the spring. Where did you get yours?

Tim

Here ya go...

Coil Spring Removal, With Pictures (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261939)

Regards,
-Greg

Thanks all for the info. Got the springs in today! Did not need a compressor afterall. Just used a jack and lowered the control arm, popped the spring out. The new ones were hotchkins 1" lowered, pretty easy to put in.

Thanks again

TIM