Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: tireshredder on July 24, 2007, 03:01:49 PM

Title: Front spring removal
Post by: tireshredder on July 24, 2007, 03:01:49 PM
Is there a special compressor for the front springs?  I tried both types of compressors (coil and strut spring), but they can't fit in the the springs.  My Haynes manual talks about a speciality tool, but is it really required?
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Kitz Kat on July 24, 2007, 04:24:16 PM
I used a strut spring tool,I had to let it relax almost till it popped out to use it.It took two of us to make it work.
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Ether947 on July 24, 2007, 06:29:02 PM
Not needed. Lower control arm, use crowbar.
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: tireshredder on July 24, 2007, 08:15:54 PM
Quote from: Ether947;163140
Not needed. Lower control arm, use crowbar.


Explain.....Do you mean unbolt the LCA while the bar is through the spring?
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Prototype Services on July 24, 2007, 08:24:43 PM
I always popped the lower balljoint and drop the LCA.
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: dominator on July 24, 2007, 08:27:57 PM
If your tryin to kill yourself.
Be extremley careful the spring is under massive tension,i would say take it to a shop,don't risk your life.
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: gumby on July 24, 2007, 08:38:55 PM
Quote from: Ether947;163140
Not needed. Lower [the] control arm, use crowbar.


thats how i always do it. never have used a compressor on any ive swapped out.
car on stands w/a jack under the LCA. unbolt everything that would keep the LCA from moving down(strut, brake caliper, sway bar, tie rod, you can leave the spindle attached if you want). loosen the LCA bolts and SLOWLY lower the jack.
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Ether947 on July 24, 2007, 09:57:50 PM
Quote from: gumby;163173
thats how i always do it. never have used a compressor on any ive swapped out.
car on stands w/a jack under the LCA. unbolt everything that would keep the LCA from moving down(strut, brake caliper, sway bar, tie rod, you can leave the spindle attached if you want). loosen the LCA bolts and SLOWLY lower the jack.

Like that. :)

I found that it was rather "anti-climatic" the first time I pulled the springs. I got a little "thud" and then it fell over. Soooo disappointing. :D
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Thunder Chicken on July 24, 2007, 10:05:26 PM
I used the jack method as well. Getting the old ones out was a lot easier than putting the new ones in, though - trying to get that shager to stay in the spring seat while I jacked up the control arm... I'm getting mad again just thinking about it :hick:
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: 32VFoxBird on July 24, 2007, 10:47:59 PM
werd!

that thing starts to "slinky" on you!
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: gumby on July 24, 2007, 10:52:43 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;163196
trying to get that shager to stay in the spring seat while I jacked up the control arm...


a couple large hose clamps can go a long way to holdin that thing in while you get the arm back into a proper position. ;)
Title: Front spring removal
Post by: Ether947 on July 25, 2007, 12:38:45 PM
;)
Quote from: gumby;163220
a couple large hose clamps can go a long way to holdin that thing in while you get the arm back into a proper position.

Sweet tip. You get a Rep Point. :)

No go show all of your friends your shiny new point.