Can someone tell me; is it easier to remove & replace the front springs with the engine IN the car or with the engine removed...I need to do a spring swap AND engine swap but don't know which which way is easiest...with the weight of the engine compressing them or not...Which to do first ??...

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'83 Trans Am clone;
700R-4, 3.42:1 rearend,
'84 Z-28 suspension, dual snorkel H.O. air cleaner, H.O. exhaust manifolds & system, 180* 'stat, stock ECM. Awaiting 355 swap with CompCams 212/218 --.444/.444 -- 110* LSA

 

Couldnt you just use a jack?

I beleive that would take to weight off of the springs!!!!
no prob....

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Take it out!!!!! I tryed replacing mine with the engine in and it was impossible!

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1991 Z28 Camaro L98
5.7L T.P.I
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??? the weight of the engine doesn't have anything to do with it - unless you're gonna do it with the front end on the ground and I'd like to see that. The only thing that holds that A arm up and keeps that spring from popping out of there is the ball joint where it connects to the steering knuckle. You have to use an internal coil spring compressor to remove your springs - safely, that is. If you don't, good luck to you.

KAM

 

Well OF COURSE I would jack the car up...I figured that was a GIVEN...I just wondered if it was easier to compress the spring (WITH THE SPRING COMPRESSOR) with the weight of the engine already partially compressing the spring....maybe it was a dumb question...

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'83 Trans Am clone;
700R-4, 3.42:1 rearend,
'84 Z-28 suspension, dual snorkel H.O. air cleaner, H.O. exhaust manifolds & system, 180* 'stat, stock ECM. Awaiting 355 swap with CompCams 212/218 --.444/.444 -- 110* LSA

 

No, it wasn't a dumb question - maybe I just misunderstood you, cuz it kinda sounded like you were gonna just try to get them out without a spring tool... Sorry... So back to your question, Obviously you're going to have to get under the car to work that tool in there, and it can be a pain, if you have the car on jackstands, and then jacked the A-arm to partially compress the spring, that probably would be easier than if it was fully extended. I don't know how much room you would have to work the claws of the compressor, though... Even so, it's not that hard to do it, getting the claws to stay where you want them can get frustrating at times, but other than that, I just cranked the nut on the tool with a 1/2" ratchet and it only took a few cranks. Getting the tool off the spring once you get it out can be a royal pain, too... Well, I hope I've helped you some - in a nutshell, I don't think it's any easier either way, cuz with the tool you have to use, you'll have 'em out in no time. Good luck with it!

KAM