|
Author
|
Topic: Removing front springs...
|
Sandy
Journeyman Posts: 65
From: Costa Mesa, Ca. USA
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 04-08-2001 12:50 AM
   
How tough a job is it to remove the front springs on a 66 Mustang and what kind or brand of spring compressor is the safest and most economical to use? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.------------------
Sandy
SFM6S2326
IP: Logged |
460-67Stang
Gearhead Posts: 289
From: Southern Ohio, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 04-08-2001 01:00 PM
Sandy,
I use a home built compressor made of 3/4" all thread and a plate that goes on top of the shock tower. Place a nut or better yet an all thread connector which is like a long nut on top. I built a custom lower bracket that slips into the spring and is made to conform to the springs "twist" shape. There's an edge that surrounds the spring with a section that comes off for installation. I then place a nut under this lower plate.Lift the car under the lower A-Arm to compress the spring, tighten the bolt on top of the shock tower, place a jack under the front frame rail and s l o w l y let the jack down. The wheel and upper A-Arm will lower with the spring compressor holding the spring safely compressed. Remove the Upper A-Arm or loosen the compressor while keeping the spring from re-seating on the spring pearch. Keep loosening the upper bolt and the spring will eventually drop out of the shock tower. The May issue of Mustangs and Fords shows this type of compressor in use. I would NOT recommend using the type of compressor that uses two seperate tools, each with two "claws" that are supposed to grab the spring. Dangerous! The type of compressor I use cannot let go and is very safe. FWIW,
Brian ------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Webmaster, Tri-State Mustang Club of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio
http://www.tristatemustang.com Got a 429/460 motor in a classic Mustang? Join the "429/460 motors in classic mustangs" discussion group at Yahoo groups! To join, send e-mail to: [email protected] '67 Mustang coupe in "restomodification", 472 Motor at about 500 hp, C-6 Tranny w/high stall convertor, 9" rear w/3:50 gears and Detroit Locker, Power Disc brakes all around. ETA = Summer '01 (Yea, was Spring '01....work happens!) ----------->>>>> Got Displacement? <<<<<------------
IP: Logged |
joe
Gearhead Posts: 522
From: Los Angeles
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 04-09-2001 09:56 PM
You gotta go with some kind of an internal piece. Anything else is scary to work with.
I spent $40 on new one from a local shop.
IP: Logged |
65coupei6
Gearhead Posts: 452
From: S.F., CA
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 04-09-2001 11:37 PM
Springs can get scary. I would get a well made compressor. Because you don't want to know what will happen if it lets go. I had a friend help me change my front springs. Even with his air compressor we still had a tuff time compressing them.
IP: Logged |
TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6007
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
|
posted 04-10-2001 05:15 AM
the hot tip for re-installing them is get them "squashed" and banded with steel strapping, spring shops will do this. Simply sit the spring in place,jack the control arm up and cut the bands.
IP: Logged |
69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1486
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
|
posted 04-10-2001 07:01 AM
If your not going to save or reuse the old springs Jack the car up by the frame so the spring is open as far as it can be, then using a torch not the cutting tip heat up the springs till they loose there hardness
let the jack down it will compress them,then jack it back up and take the spring out with no trouble at all!! putting them back in? well any of the above posts will work!!
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26813
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 04-10-2001 11:40 PM
I have always used two double claw spring compressors on FoMoCo products that have the coil spring about the upper control arm. It is the way it was done by FoMoCo mechanics at the dealerships when the cars were new. Ther is nothing unsafe about it when used correctly. It is the easiest tool that I have found to use. The internal tool is very difficult to manuver and compress. I have them both and the internal one rarely gets used.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
Fleet of FoMoCo products
Moneymaker Bio
US Class Nationals link
IP: Logged |
Mustangsandmore Forums
