Got the new front suspension on order, should be here any day. Does anyone know the best and safe way to remove the coil springs? Did one about 20 years ago and scared the s*** out of me when the spring compressors popped around to the same side. Well, now I have another old 'Stang and about to do another front end............

 

I used 1/2" allthread, a couple of nuts and a couple of 1/4" steel plates with holes drilled in the middle. I slid one steel plate into the coil spring and fished the allthreaddown through the center of the shock tower/coil. Put a nut on the bottom end of the allthread. Put the other steel plate on top and thread the nut down to take pressure off of the upper arm. I used wood on top of the shock tower to protect it. The steel plates I used were about 2 inches wide and long enough stick out of the sides of the spring. Make sure you have enough allthread sticking out of the top to let the spring all the way out when you're finished removing the upper arm. You probably want at least 12" of althread sticking out of the top before letting the coil out. Hope this helps.

ridebadger

 

Sounds almost like the Ford 'tool' I have heard of but have never found. Thanks for the input.

 

I just finished replacing my entire front suspension. I bought an internal spring compressor from national parts depot part # 988-1. Was not scary at all and worked like a charm. For extra insurance I put a chain and a lock around the spring. You have to turn the bolt a million times to get the spring compressed enough to pull it out. Just make sure the car is on the ground (spring is somewhat compressed) when you start using the compressor or it will take you twice as long to fully compress it. Good luck!

 

Yeah, the secret is to use the internal spring compressor.

 

I got a spring compresser loaner tool from autozone when I did mine. I didn't see the part of the instrution saying not to use an impact tool until after I was finish. Owell it worked great and didn't cost a penney.

 

I use a compressor made bu MOOG. It is no longer available but it was made especially for this type of suspension.

 

Well, Can I borrow it?

 

bah!
Unbolt the lower control arm
Unbolt the 2 screw on the shock tower cap holding the shock
Unbolt the 2 nuts holding the upper arm in
Put crow bar on upper arm and pull and run.

[:-]

Its only scary for a second.




Note: Just cause I'm a lucky SOB that also happens to be cursed doesn't mean you are

 

What if I pull witha chain....a long chain