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Author
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Topic: FOX front coil springs
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-15-2006 12:01 AM
 
I want to install a new pair of front coil springs in my 85 Mustang, but having done it before, it is quitea pain. These are NOT lowering springs, so they are no shorter than the stock ones. Getting the old springs OUT is not a problem, but does anybody have any tricks for getting the new springs in. A conventional coil spring compressor won`t work (too large to fit thru the hole in the lower control arm), and it looks as though the 2 external hook compressors are too tall to fit between the lower control arm & the Kmember. Any tips?------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 05-15-2006 09:51 AM
I always undo the spindle at the strut and use a floor jack under the ball joint. Lower it down, take the old out, put the new in and the use jack to compress. Sometimes you have to undo the sway bar to get enough travel.
In extreme cases, I've lowered the hoist onto the spring to compress it, then tied it up compressed with wire or real HD tie wraps. Put the spring in place, cut the wires.
(for those reading this other than Rory, don't try this trick unless you're a professional. You're playing with your life)
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CalSpecMustang
Gearhead Posts: 211
From: kansas
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 05-15-2006 07:42 PM
I did the first one to install my lowering springs. I would be scared to try the later.
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-16-2006 12:25 PM
Yes, it`s not too hard installing lowering springs, as they are shorter, so they slip into the control arm fairly easily. However, these are stock replacment springs, so they are not shorter.I used to have a local spring shop compress the springs, and then hold them in the compressed position with steel band strapping, however due to potential liability issues, they no longer will do this.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Jim B
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: Chicago
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-17-2006 01:46 PM
I had the same problem when I installed a set of FMS "B" springs. My stock ones had cracked and the struts were due. What I did was find a length of pipe (1 ft.) that just fits through the hole in the lower control arm, in the center of the spring pocket. I used a couple of hose clamps to keep the pipe sitting about half way through the hole. With the A-arm hanging down I placed the new spring up in the pocket of the K-member and over the pipe in the LCA. I then jack up the LCA slowly. The pipe keeps the spring from slipping out of the LCA spring pocket when the LCA is pointed down. Once the LCA is close to level make sure the spring is seated in the pocket on the LCA. I use a hammer and drift to knock it into place if it's not. With this method I was able to change the springs in minutes now hours.
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