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  Mustangsandmore Forum Archive
  '64 1/2 to '68 1/2 -- The Classic Mustang
  Coil Spring Removal

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Author Topic:   Coil Spring Removal
mvendl
Gearhead

Posts: 188
From: Lowell, IN, USA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 05-12-2003 02:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mvendl        Reply w/Quote
I'm getting ready to remove the front suspension from my '66 resto. Is there anything special (ie, gotcha's) that I need to know about removing the coil springs? I figure that I need to remove all tension by jacking the car up and letting the spring expand fully... is that it? I have all of the proper tools and am itching to get everything taken apart..

thanks,

--mark

Fastymz
Moderator

Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 05-12-2003 02:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fastymz        Reply w/Quote
Mark dont do this job without a GOOD coil spring compressor.

------------------
SCOOP
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs

2.26 60'S
14.9 @ 90.86MPH

65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8"3.40 TracLoc,Cragar SS,Black Suede.

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streetstang67
Gearhead

Posts: 397
From: SC, USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 05-12-2003 04:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for streetstang67        Reply w/Quote
A way to get a "head start" on the springs is to put the compressor on while the spring is already a little compressed by the weight of the car. then jack up the front end, and you already got the spring compressed a little.

RonnieT
Gearhead

Posts: 912
From: Port Allen, La. 70767
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-12-2003 08:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RonnieT        Reply w/Quote
Mark,

The srring is NOT unloaded when the front end is up, do not take anything loose until you have, has Scoop said, a GOOD coil spring compressor. The spring is still compressed enough to remove body parts has it flies out.
You need a compressor like this one that Eastwood sales.
http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/

http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/images/P520.jpg

[This message has been edited by RonnieT (edited 05-12-2003).]

rockafellz
Gearhead

Posts: 1459
From: San Lorenzo, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 05-12-2003 09:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rockafellz        Reply w/Quote
Autozone and Pep Boys rent these for FREE with a refundable deposit!! THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED!!

He hasn't replied yet, hopefully he isn't outside trying to remove that sucker!!

Erik

------------------
1966 Ford Mustang 2+2
Mine - Restomod in Progress

1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
Dad's - Original Unrestored

mvendl
Gearhead

Posts: 188
From: Lowell, IN, USA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 05-13-2003 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mvendl        Reply w/Quote
Whoa, thanks for the heads up. I havent done it yet.. thankfully. I took another look at the car when it was jacked up and noticed that there really is no way for the spring to fully open up, even with the car lifted. In any case, I wanted to get an opinion on the compressor. I've seen compressors that compress the spring from the center, and those that grip it from the outside. The one I have clamps down on the coil from the outside, and there are 2 of them to connect to the spring. Does anyone have an opinion on which is SAFER, or just easier to use?

thanks,

--mark

------------------
'66 Mustang Coupe
'90 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible
'85 F150 XLT 302
'94 GMC Sonoma SLE
'03 GMC Envoy (the wife's)

johnmustang
Gearhead

Posts: 6748
From: British Columbia , Canada
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 05-13-2003 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for johnmustang        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mvendl:
Whoa, thanks for the heads up. I havent done it yet.. thankfully. I took another look at the car when it was jacked up and noticed that there really is no way for the spring to fully open up, even with the car lifted. In any case, I wanted to get an opinion on the compressor. I've seen compressors that compress the spring from the center, and those that grip it from the outside. The one I have clamps down on the coil from the outside, and there are 2 of them to connect to the spring. Does anyone have an opinion on which is SAFER, or just easier to use?

thanks,

--mark


When I did mine I used the spring compressors that clip to the outside of the coil. What I also did was, once I had the coil compressed I put a chain through it with a lock, just in-case it let go. Probably over kill on my part but I have seen a coil release, and go through a wooden garage door. Better safe than sorry, be very careful when you do this job.


JOHN

------------------
65 2+2 FASTBACK
87 TAURUS WAGON
98 F150 XLT TRITON V8 4.6, 4 WHEEL DRIVE
Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
M&M #1710
MyPhotoPage
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cynot65
Gearhead

Posts: 1258
From: New York
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-13-2003 01:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cynot65        Reply w/Quote
Patience is very important. Don't try to rush this job.
Tony C*

------------------
65 Convertible, Vintage Burgandy/Standard Black Interior, 289, 4spd
M&M Member#450
It ain't done yet, but it'll be done right!!

John Z
Gearhead

Posts: 506
From: Morgantown, WV
Registered: Jul 99

posted 05-14-2003 02:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for John Z        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mvendl:
I've seen compressors that compress the spring from the center, and those that grip it from the outside. The one I have clamps down on the coil from the outside, and there are 2 of them to connect to the spring. Does anyone have an opinion on which is SAFER, or just easier to use?

The center compressor is recommended for Mustangs. I was able to remove springs with the external compressor but could not replace the spring. Get one from one of the "loaner" stores as it's a once in a life time tool for hobbiest.

68DARKHORSE
Gearhead

Posts: 446
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 05-14-2003 04:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 68DARKHORSE        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mvendl:
I took another look at the car when it was jacked up and noticed that there really is no way for the spring to fully open up, even with the car lifted.

The shock keeps the spring from fully extending. If you can do the work without removing the shock, you should be ok without a compresor.

------------------
68 GT FASTBACK

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01 GT BULLITT

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96 OJ BRONCO

SteveLaRiviere
Administrator

Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99

posted 05-14-2003 07:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SteveLaRiviere        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by 68DARKHORSE:
The shock keeps the spring from fully extending. If you can do the work without removing the shock, you should be ok without a compresor.

He wants to remove the spring.

------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150

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joe
Gearhead

Posts: 522
From: Los Angeles
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 05-14-2003 10:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for joe        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mvendl:
The one I have clamps down on the coil from the outside, and there are 2 of them to connect to the spring. Does anyone have an opinion on which is SAFER, or just easier to use?

thanks,

--mark



The one you have works, but they're more of a pain to use. I've used them before

http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/images/P520.jpg
I think this kind is the best and safest. Good luck.

Jeff
Gearhead

Posts: 306
From: Moore, OK USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 05-15-2003 11:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jeff        Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by joe:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by mvendl:
[b]The one I have clamps down on the coil from the outside, and there are 2 of them to connect to the spring. Does anyone have an opinion on which is SAFER, or just easier to use?

thanks,

--mark



The one you have works, but they're more of a pain to use. I've used them before

http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/images/P520.jpg
I think this kind is the best and safest. Good luck.[/B][/QUOTE]


If you use that kind, you need to have or make a large heavy washer to use at the top of the shock tower to avoid sheet metal damage. This kind is a lot better:

http://www.drgas.com/promotor/products.html

Item #10

mvendl
Gearhead

Posts: 188
From: Lowell, IN, USA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 05-20-2003 10:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mvendl        Reply w/Quote
For the record, it was a pain in the a$$. I removed one of the springs (LH) on Friday... I started about 10:30pm and finished up around 1:30am. There really isnt enough room on the mustang to remove the spring using the outside spring clamps. I will say that the suggestion to use chains on the spring was a good one and made me feel a bit more comfortable. I probably used too many as they got in the way, but it was safer. I think for the RH spring, I'll probably rent/borrow the tool that removes it from the inside.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

--mark

rockafellz
Gearhead

Posts: 1459
From: San Lorenzo, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 05-20-2003 10:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for rockafellz        Reply w/Quote
Forgot to mention, when using the tool from inside the spring, you'll have to use a couple spacers between the top of the screw to the top part of the spring compressor otherwise when you turn the bolt to compress the spring, the bolt will hit the spring perch. If you're confused, you'll understand what i'm saying when you lay it in there. We used 5 big nuts as spacers.

Erik

------------------
1966 Ford Mustang 2+2
Mine - Restomod in Progress

1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
Dad's - Original Unrestored

KULTULZ
Gearhead

Posts: 959
From: Rockville, MD
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 05-20-2003 01:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KULTULZ        Reply w/Quote
-This type- is the safest to use with the spring mounted over the top control arm. It actually has plates that capture the spring and there is no way that it can slip, as it can with either the regular internal and external arm types.

It is hard to see in this photo but is similiar to the one available from FORD Special Service Tools years ago.

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