Hello, I need to replace the springs in my 1991 Camaro RS. I have found a spring compressor http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/W89311/10002/-1 do you think this will work. I had outter spring compressors but they would not work as the spring is surronded by the unibody. There is only a small hole on the a-arm do you think these will fit in? Thanks! I live overseas so shipping is expensive so I don't want to order something I don't have to.

 

Yes. Yes.

Remember to use a 4 or 5 inch pipe nipple to make things easier.

JamesC

 

What is a pipe nipple?

 

For a pic, check post #5 of the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...g-springs.html

JamesC

 

A 1.5 meter pry bar and a tie down strap made my second spring swap really easy.
The 1.5 m long pry bar allowed me to lift the spring out of its seat once the A arm was down all the way, from safe distance. The tie down strap whent loose trough the spring and A arm to prevent the spring from flying around.
To put the spring back in the tie down strap was towards the engine on the spring to give it a banana like shape, I could fit it in place by hand and then lift the A arm back in place with the jack.

 

That one from Jegs looks similar to that one. Is that one from Jegs good enough? I don't want to buy and ship a ton of **** I don't need. And thatnks a lot for the help!!!!!

 

Why did you do this over a spring compressor. Do you think this is a safe thing to do? I would consider it if it is safe.

 

Fist time I did not have a spring compressor, and did it with pry bar and jack only, as long as you dont plan on catchin the spring with your hands or some other part of your body, I dont see the danger. Was a little tricky to put it back in since it needs to be lifted in its seat and has a banana like shape with the A arm down all the way.
Second time I used a tie down strap, that made it easy, no danger there. That time I had recived my spring compressor, I could just not justify wasting my time installing it.
The spring compressor could also slip off, making it dangerous.

 

This is why we have spring compressors

 

What part of my reply did you not realize/understand?

 

Nobody ever plans to land a spring in the face or some other part of the body.

Safety first.

 

I didn't bother with any spring compressors.. I used a jack, and a 10' piece of 1" Rigid electrical conduit. Just stand back a little when you let the jack down.. my new springs popped right in without any problems, too. They were also 2" drop though..

 

I did not have any troubles replacing the stock WS6 springs with the Moog 5664's, without the spring compressor.
Though I had to take the Moog 5664 back out and cut 1/2 coil to have a stock looking ride hight.

 

Absolutely. I've had the springs out a couple of times (both with a compressor and a chain); nonetheless, my sphincter was clamped tight.

JamesC

 

Words of Wisdom, JamesC.

Translation: gotta be careful, compressor or not.

 

That is why the chain is used. I've changed springs on several 3rd gens & never once used a compressor of any kind, just a chain. From tall RS springs to shorter/stronger WS6 springs.

And the springs have never tried to fly out & were only kept from flying out, because of the chain.

They barely tried to come out. In fact, the last ones (WS6 springs) from just a couple months ago? No chain was used. They simply didn't try to get airborn.

But the short chain is never a bad thing to use.

 

I did mine last night when installing the Spohn K member. I wrapped a chain around the springs, put a jack under the spring seat and put some pressure on them.. then took out the 2 A arm bolts from the stock cross member. The car jumped up about 1-2", i lowered the jack and the springs pretty much fell out.


Very easy and i'd do it again that way as well.

 

Well, I may try the chain thing. But what do you guys think about using a spring compressor and a chain?

 

You bet. BTW, you'll find, or at least I did, that the compressor is more helpful on the install than the removal.

JamesC

 

You really don't need a spring compressor. Jack the car up high enough that the A-arm can swing all the way down. Have a jack under the A arm and start letting the A-arm down. By the time the A arm is allmost all the way down the spring will be loose and you can pull it out without a problem. For safty you wrap a chain around the spring and A arm but I never had a problem with the sring wanting to pop out. Mine might have been easier because I had a Base V6 car but I am sure it would work on a V8 car. Doing it this way, By the time the A-arm gets far enough down that the spring could fly out most of the stored energy in the spring is gone and it won't fly out with enough force to hurt anyone our anything. It is a good idea to at least wrap a chain around it, Never can bo overly safe.

 

I just pulled mine out by fabricating a tool that fits up through the A-arm and spring into the 'key' up in the K member. The 'key' looks like a T from 3/8" plate with a threaded rod welded to the bottom of the T. The T goes into the K member, turn 1/4 turn, then sits down into the formed recess. I imgine this is how the facory does it. The rod extends down past the A-arm and through a flat plate (5x5"). Just tigthen the assy up to relieve spring pressure, remove A-arm bolts, then back off the nut on the threaded rod. Works perfectly, and is SAFE! Allowed me to beat out the bolts that were a bitch to get out without having a jack in the way.

I'll post a pic if anyone wants.

 

Yes, please. Sounds interesting.

JamesC

 

Here's the pics. I should have made the threaded rod an inch or 2 longer...

You can see how it fits into the K-member. Nice and safe and easy to use.