[USMC_Spike]

I've got a set of the olde HO racing springs (front) in my BBC
1969 Chevelle SS396--installed in my 69 but not proprly.


I thought they were supposed to drop the car about one inch. Well I"m up a couple of inches. Now I've found that they were mounted wrong and not even seated nor indexed in the top frame.


So three problems.
Is there a spring compresser that will work to take these springs out without haveing to wrench them out and ruin the podercoate.

One side is flat and one not. The flat side on the concrete enables the springs to
stay up, right? And this is the side that goes into the frame up on top.


THEN


Now I have to figure out how to get the springs out, then flip them around and they should fit up htere, then when indexed into the spring thing, the lower control arm should justbolt back up?


What is the Spring compressor to use for these. It took like 3.5 hours a side trying to get the compresssor parts out when we were finished. What a mess
and a lot of ruined podercoat..


Any ideas,


Spike

 

[aukai]

Spike, I feel like I'm disarming a bomb when I'm doing the front springs. Santhuff has a compressor that goes through the upper shock mount like this below.
Here is some more discussion also. I have used the upper/lower hooks with success. but they have to be used cautiously. Good luck
http://www.santhuffshocks.com/images/compressor.png
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397065

 

[Tom Mobley]

this is what you want:

some auto parts now rent/loan a copy of this. This completely obsoletes other compressors. Note, you can put the fork part under the A-arm if it's convenient.

 

[Calculated Risk]

I don't use a compressor. I put the frame on jack stands. Put the jack under the lower control arm. Unbolt the lower ball joint, put the nut back on a few threads, let the jack down a 1/2 inch below the control arm, whack the spindle with a BFH. Jack the control arm back up. Remove nut, lower jack till spring falls out.

Locate new spring in the correct spot and then start jacking arm up.



Only time i ever used a spring compressor is if there is no engine in the chassis.

 

[rel3rd]

I don't use a compressor. I put the frame on jack stands. Put the jack under the lower control arm. Unbolt the lower ball joint, put the nut back on a few threads, let the jack down a 1/2 inch below the control arm, whack the spindle with a BFH. Jack the control arm back up. Remove nut, lower jack till spring falls out.

Locate new spring in the correct spot and then start jacking arm up.



Only time i ever used a spring compressor is if there is no engine in the chassis.

Same here. I've never used any type of compressor, nor ever felt I needed to.

 

[elsolo]

This is my favorite spring compressor.
Stuff the machined end through the lower A-arm shock hole, use a floor jack on the other end. The spring cannot jump out as the A-arm swings down.

Moroso drag springs are too long and need and actual compressor.