Front Coil Springs
01-29-2008, 12:40 AM
#11
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 599
RE: Front Coil Springs
use internals on mustangs/american oldies; the externals are for the macpherson strut setups
depending on where you are, autozone and kragan have rental programs where you can rent the tools - you pay for the cost of the tool and when you return it, you get your money back - sweet deal on something like this where you are probably only going to use it once......
depending on where you are, autozone and kragan have rental programs where you can rent the tools - you pay for the cost of the tool and when you return it, you get your money back - sweet deal on something like this where you are probably only going to use it once......
01-29-2008, 01:05 PM
#13
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 877
RE: Front Coil Springs
Going to toss out one more thought in to the mix. I am not a fan of claw type spring compressors internal or external and here is an excerpt from one of my web pages as to why
Spring Compressors 101, Why use a bolt-in type?
- When removing a coil spring, it is required to compress the spring to free it from its designed location. Failure to safely deal with compressing the spring can result in serious injury or even death. There are three main ways to compress a coil spring to remove it: external claw type spring compressor, internal claw type spring compressor or a bolt-in type spring compressor.
- An external claw type spring compressor consists of two separate pieces that clamp onto the outside of the coil spring. As the nuts on the two pieces are tightened down, the spring is compressed. There are three main issues with this type of compressor. First, both sides need to be tightened an equal amount and, since each piece has its own tightening nut, this is easier said than done. Second, this type of compressor REQUIRES that the two separate pieces be opposite of each other. Unfortunately, the shock towers of a classic Ford do not allow the two pieces to be positioned completely opposite of each other, which creates an unstably compressed spring. Third, the claws of the compressor are held to the spring by tension from the compressed spring. If the claws slip, the spring can decompress violently. Many chose to use this type of compressor because they are inexpensive and can be purchased for less than $30.00.
- The second type of claw spring compressor is an internal unit, which has four claws (two at the top and two at the bottom) that grab an upper and a lower coil of the spring. One tightening nut pulls the two sets of claws closer together and compresses the spring. This compressor is much better for a Mustang than the above mentioned external claw type, however, it is still not the best option. There are two main problems with this type of system. First, often times on a classic Ford, a 3 to 4 inch spacer (usually a piece of pipe) is required to be positioned between the upper claw assembly and the tightening head to keep the compressor from bottoming out in the UCA. Secondly, as with the external claw type, the tension of the compressed spring is all that holds the compressor in place and, as before, if those claws slip, the spring can decompress violently.
- It was an internal claw type compressor that sent me to the emergency room in June of 2005. After already removing the passenger’s side spring, I was working on the driver’s side assembly, had compressed the spring and was in the process of removing it when the compressor slipped, the spring decompressed and pinned my right hand by the three middle fingers, palm side up, between the bottom of the coil spring and the spring perch. Engaging this type of compressor requires using two hands and, of course, I was alone, the garage door was down, my cell phone was on the passenger’s side fender out of reach and most of my tools, at least any that could have been effective in freeing my hand, were on the floor next to the passenger’s side where I had already pulled the suspension apart. All I had within arms reach was the ½†box wrench (no more than 6†long) that I had just used to remove the shock. I jammed the wrench in between the spring and the perch and was able to pry the spring up enough to get the finger next to my pinkie free. I then pried on the opposite side and got my index finger free. To get my middle finger out, I pried again with the wrench and pulled as hard as I could with the trapped arm and got my hand out. To make a long story short, I still have all my fingers and they still work, however, I occasionally feel some stiffness in the middle finger joints. I was lucky!!!!! Needless to say, it is my personal mission to convince everyone to use a bolt-in type compressor.
- The third type of spring compressor is the previously mentioned bolt-in type compressor. This compressor bolts to the spring perch and the top of the shock tower, just like a shock. Once the spring has been compressed, there is no way for it to come loose unless you intentionally decompress the compressor. The “down side†to this type of compressor is that in order to completely remove the spring, the UCA needs to be removed to get the spring out. This adds about 15 minutes to the task of changing springs, however, that 15 minutes is well worth the improved safety factor.
If you want read the rest of the page that this info cam from or you want info on how to build a bolt in spring compressor check out my web page on the subject.
Spring Compressors 101, Why use a bolt-in type?
- When removing a coil spring, it is required to compress the spring to free it from its designed location. Failure to safely deal with compressing the spring can result in serious injury or even death. There are three main ways to compress a coil spring to remove it: external claw type spring compressor, internal claw type spring compressor or a bolt-in type spring compressor.
- An external claw type spring compressor consists of two separate pieces that clamp onto the outside of the coil spring. As the nuts on the two pieces are tightened down, the spring is compressed. There are three main issues with this type of compressor. First, both sides need to be tightened an equal amount and, since each piece has its own tightening nut, this is easier said than done. Second, this type of compressor REQUIRES that the two separate pieces be opposite of each other. Unfortunately, the shock towers of a classic Ford do not allow the two pieces to be positioned completely opposite of each other, which creates an unstably compressed spring. Third, the claws of the compressor are held to the spring by tension from the compressed spring. If the claws slip, the spring can decompress violently. Many chose to use this type of compressor because they are inexpensive and can be purchased for less than $30.00.
- The second type of claw spring compressor is an internal unit, which has four claws (two at the top and two at the bottom) that grab an upper and a lower coil of the spring. One tightening nut pulls the two sets of claws closer together and compresses the spring. This compressor is much better for a Mustang than the above mentioned external claw type, however, it is still not the best option. There are two main problems with this type of system. First, often times on a classic Ford, a 3 to 4 inch spacer (usually a piece of pipe) is required to be positioned between the upper claw assembly and the tightening head to keep the compressor from bottoming out in the UCA. Secondly, as with the external claw type, the tension of the compressed spring is all that holds the compressor in place and, as before, if those claws slip, the spring can decompress violently.
- It was an internal claw type compressor that sent me to the emergency room in June of 2005. After already removing the passenger’s side spring, I was working on the driver’s side assembly, had compressed the spring and was in the process of removing it when the compressor slipped, the spring decompressed and pinned my right hand by the three middle fingers, palm side up, between the bottom of the coil spring and the spring perch. Engaging this type of compressor requires using two hands and, of course, I was alone, the garage door was down, my cell phone was on the passenger’s side fender out of reach and most of my tools, at least any that could have been effective in freeing my hand, were on the floor next to the passenger’s side where I had already pulled the suspension apart. All I had within arms reach was the ½†box wrench (no more than 6†long) that I had just used to remove the shock. I jammed the wrench in between the spring and the perch and was able to pry the spring up enough to get the finger next to my pinkie free. I then pried on the opposite side and got my index finger free. To get my middle finger out, I pried again with the wrench and pulled as hard as I could with the trapped arm and got my hand out. To make a long story short, I still have all my fingers and they still work, however, I occasionally feel some stiffness in the middle finger joints. I was lucky!!!!! Needless to say, it is my personal mission to convince everyone to use a bolt-in type compressor.
- The third type of spring compressor is the previously mentioned bolt-in type compressor. This compressor bolts to the spring perch and the top of the shock tower, just like a shock. Once the spring has been compressed, there is no way for it to come loose unless you intentionally decompress the compressor. The “down side†to this type of compressor is that in order to completely remove the spring, the UCA needs to be removed to get the spring out. This adds about 15 minutes to the task of changing springs, however, that 15 minutes is well worth the improved safety factor.
If you want read the rest of the page that this info cam from or you want info on how to build a bolt in spring compressor check out my web page on the subject.
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