if anybody knows part# or a link for a front spring compressor, could you help me out. i have tried the set i have and they are too big for this. only a 2 to three coils exposed and frame and lower control arm is in the way of getting my tool in there to compress spring. thanks in advance.

 

I've never found one to fit the fronts, so I just did the front springs without one.

Wrap a short piece of chain around the lower coil & the LCA, to prevent any possibility of it flying out.
Place a floor jack under the LCA.
Undo the spindle, shock, swaybar, etc.
Use a floor jack to lower the a-arm down to

This will slowly release the spring tension.

Once the spring is fully uncompressed, undo the chain & pull the spring out.

Installation is just the reverse!

 

I removed a couple like this but I did have the car on stands. I skipped the chain part but wouldnt suggest that.

 

Yes....You'll definately need to car on jackstands at least at high as the length of the a-arm hanging down plus the height of the floor jack plus a few extra inches of room.

I've never had the spring try to fly out & been glad the chain had been there. But I also know that the first time I try it without the chain? Will be the first time the spring POPS out and removes half me skull bone structure!

Better safe than sorry.

 

For sure....hate to be on an episode of 1001 ways to die or something similar.


I did see a thread where a guy used an inside spring compressor....maybe a few searches will turn it up.

 

Check the following link, post #3 for the one you want (even with it, use a chain):

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ml#post3917965

JamesC

 

thanks, ill have to look for a compressor like that , the problem iam having is i got the spring out to do the bushings and engine mount getting it back in is a lot harder, even with the lower control arm almost straight up and down the spring is too long to get positioned back into spring pocket in lower control arm, looks like the internal compressor may beable to be modified to compress spring into control arm.

 

I have a internal spring compressor from NAPA that was about $80 bucks. The threaded rod was too long and would hit the upper spring perch before collapsing the spring enough. I could shorten the threaded rod but I just put a 2" thick spacer on the bottom side of the A-arm. Worked like a charm.

 

I rented one from autozone 50$ down, and you get the money back when you return one. USE THE CHAIN, i cannot stress that enough, i almost had one pop out the socket and knock my friends teeth out, thank god we chained it. Lowering springs are easier because they have less length, also you might want to weigh down the top of the car to get more force pushing from the topside of the springs. After all they are compressed with like 900lbs force.

 

i just did this today and rented the inside spring compressor from autozone, part 27035. worked great, had both front springs back in in a 1/2hr. and this was the first time i've done this.