Removing Coil Springs
#1
Removing Coil Springs
I'm on a new mission now. I need to replace my saddle bushings - they are SHOT. I also want to check the upper control arm bushing while I'm doing this. The lower ones are fine. I'm working on my 68 convertible, 6-cyl. 200 cu in.
I've done a lot of reading on this because if I don't do this correctly and safely I will be dead or injured! Some say you have to remove the complete wheel from the spindle, then the shock tower, just to get to the springs. Some say you don't have to remove the shock tower. Some say you don't have to remove the wheel from the spindle. Some say you don't have to remove the shock. Blah, blah, blah. Now I'm getting confused AND frustrated, so I'm relying on you all AGAIN!
Seems to me the best way to do this is jack the car up, put car on stands, remove the tires ONLY, use spring compressor to compress spring, leave spring inside the shock tower, replace saddle spring assembly (I bought the entire assembly), remove and check the upper control arm bushing and replace if necessary, then reverse all these steps and call it a day.
Please tell me if I've missed something - I want to survive this mission! Thanks in advance.
I've done a lot of reading on this because if I don't do this correctly and safely I will be dead or injured! Some say you have to remove the complete wheel from the spindle, then the shock tower, just to get to the springs. Some say you don't have to remove the shock tower. Some say you don't have to remove the wheel from the spindle. Some say you don't have to remove the shock. Blah, blah, blah. Now I'm getting confused AND frustrated, so I'm relying on you all AGAIN!
Seems to me the best way to do this is jack the car up, put car on stands, remove the tires ONLY, use spring compressor to compress spring, leave spring inside the shock tower, replace saddle spring assembly (I bought the entire assembly), remove and check the upper control arm bushing and replace if necessary, then reverse all these steps and call it a day.
Please tell me if I've missed something - I want to survive this mission! Thanks in advance.
Last edited by unit91; 08-07-2013 at 08:03 AM. Reason: add vehicle info
#3
#7
I am in the midst of doing this right now myself..I just replaced my entire front suspension but the new coil springs I installed sat the front end lower than I liked...So I am having to remove the coil springs again.. The coil spring compressor I bought is very safe..It bolts to the spring perch just like the shock does. There is no way the spring can slip off with this setup.I bought mine off of ebay from a guy called tommyzees
#9
ive had hit or miss with type you have. Some hold secure others kept slipping off coil. In general I don't feel to safe with them. Attached is what I ended up using. Very happy with it.
But in case no need to remove spindles. Have to remove shock. Take a floor jack and put on lower control arm and compress the spring as much as you can w/o lifting whole car. Shock retainers on top of shock tower come off. Put tool in thru top and hook to springs. Compress coil to where you can remove. Be careful on how handle coil - if it popped and uncompressed your hands don't want to be anywhere they could get pinched. take spring out and then change perch and then put back in.
But in case no need to remove spindles. Have to remove shock. Take a floor jack and put on lower control arm and compress the spring as much as you can w/o lifting whole car. Shock retainers on top of shock tower come off. Put tool in thru top and hook to springs. Compress coil to where you can remove. Be careful on how handle coil - if it popped and uncompressed your hands don't want to be anywhere they could get pinched. take spring out and then change perch and then put back in.
Last edited by palerider; 08-09-2013 at 06:34 AM.