My buddy and I are going to be replacing the front end parts (bushings, tie-rods, ball joints, etc) this weekend. I am looking for a little advise on removing the the coils. The frame is up on jacks, less motor. Is it as simple as using a spring compressor and lowering the lower control arm? Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks

Mike

That's pretty much it. Just be careful. It's a little easier when the car is more 'together' and the weight of the car compresses the coil, and you let it down slowly with a floor jack. But, if you've got spring compressors and can control the spring tension that way, that's all good too. There's a lot of energy in there, just respect it and don't hurt anything or anyone.

i was able to swap out my front springs in 45 min total. Its not hard, but like Scott said... BE CAREFUL.

Go to AutoZone if you need a spring compressor. I put one on my credit card, used it, and brought it back for a full refund. Like the other responses, it's pretty straight forward.

Check out this video made by one of the members here.

YouTube - Front Coil Spring Removal using Floorjack

Without the weight of the motor, I followed this method...
http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=386527&highlight=coil+spring+install

worked great.
david

Nice.

here is what i do to remove a coil spring without engine weight to help me out:

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/43521/2601051810033772906S425x425Q85.jpg

when i took this pic, i was just swapping out balljoints on a 70 Nova, but if you unhook the sway bar and take out the shock the spring comes right out.

just wrap a chain around the frame rail and down around the front axle of the floor jack.
it's so easy a caveman could do it.

Derrick - Any trick to installing coil springs without the motor in? A lot of TC members are recommending compressing the spring by inserting the compression tool through the top side of the shock hole. I removed the springs without the tool and was wondering if I can put things back in without it.

My plan was going to be to attach everything except the lower control arm inner bolts, insert spring, then jack up lowers into place, then bolt 'em. The jacking up of the lowers may lift the car....haven't tried yet but looking for some opinions.

Dave

I use a cutting torch to remove springs that I intend to throw away.

I use a cutting torch to remove springs that I intend to throw away.

Or a cut off wheel. If the spring is not going to be reused there is no reason to take it out whole.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/rusty%2072/cutspring.jpg

Derrick - Any trick to installing coil springs without the motor in? A lot of TC members are recommending compressing the spring by inserting the compression tool through the top side of the shock hole. I removed the springs without the tool and was wondering if I can put things back in without it.

My plan was going to be to attach everything except the lower control arm inner bolts, insert spring, then jack up lowers into place, then bolt 'em. The jacking up of the lowers may lift the car....haven't tried yet but looking for some opinions.

Dave

Dave tie it together like Derek did, the frame will just raise without weight on it and you will not be able to get the control arm in place.

here is what i do to remove a coil spring without engine weight to help me out:

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/43521/2601051810033772906S425x425Q85.jpg

when i took this pic, i was just swapping out balljoints on a 70 Nova, but if you unhook the sway bar and take out the shock the spring comes right out.

just wrap a chain around the frame rail and down around the front axle of the floor jack.
it's so easy a caveman could do it.

This is also how I did it on a '69 Chevelle.

I ended up using the compression tool through the hole for the shock, car still lifted but used two jacks and jackstands....It all worked out but this is a dangerous job. Thanks for the advice.