Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
#1
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Car: 1986 Trans Am, 1991 Firebird
Engine: 355 TPI, 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4 in both
Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
Today I called the auto parts store to get a price on front struts for my 1991 Firebird and when she looked them up in the Monroe book at the bottom a footnote states "A spring compressor is not needed for this car". I asked her if she's sure it was referring to a 1991 Firebird and she said yes. Also, this is not a quick strut application which I know doesn't need a spring compressor, this was just for the struts alone.
I'm very confused by this. Did they do something different to the 1991 Firebirds that I'm not aware of that makes it so you don't need a spring compressor? My friend had an '89 Formula and he had to use a spring compressor on his. Is the Monroe book wrong?
I'm very confused by this. Did they do something different to the 1991 Firebirds that I'm not aware of that makes it so you don't need a spring compressor? My friend had an '89 Formula and he had to use a spring compressor on his. Is the Monroe book wrong?
#2
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Car: 1986 Trans Am, 1991 Firebird
Engine: 355 TPI, 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4 in both
Re: Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
UPDATE: I called a buddy of mine at a shop and he said that the computer lists separate labor time for the struts and springs which makes him believe the struts and springs are in different places on my '91. I'm really confused now and I'm going to have to pull the tire off and check this out with my own eyes.
#3
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Car: 89 z
Engine: Chevy 383
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.73
Re: Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
Ever look under your car? THe spring is between the lower a-arm and the pocket on your k-member. Your strut attaches to the spindle up to the strut bearing in the tower. It's a modified strut with no spring.
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Car: 1986 Trans Am, 1991 Firebird
Engine: 355 TPI, 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4 in both
Re: Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
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#9
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Car: 91 Camaro
Engine: 3.1...not hardly stock
Transmission: 700r4....not stock either
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
FYI, seperate spring and strut is called a "conventional" setup. Strut through spring is called "coilover".
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Spring compressor not needed??? This can't be right!
Doing the strut is relatively easy. Jack up the car and put jack stands under the framework behind the front wheels. Put the jack under the control arm and jack it up just enough to compress the spring. Take off the tire. Unbolt and remove the strut. Reverse the procedure to reinstall.
The weight of the car is held up by the spring between the a-arm and the upper spring pocket under the frame rail. Technically you don't even need to use a jackstand under the body. It's just there as a safety item. Jacking the car up under the a-arm takes to load off the ball joint which makes removing the strut easier. The upper mount of the strut doesn't hold any weight of the car. It just keeps the strut in the correct position for wheel alignment.
When converting to a coil over system, you do put all the front weight of the car on the strut. This means the strut towers "should" be reinforced to handle the increased load.
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