Re: Front Spring Compressor

by Joe73 Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:59 am

After you loosen the nuts try to bounce the front end up and down to settle it. Wont be easy because of the.new springs. Then tighten it.up.

by dynchel Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:01 am

Joe73 wrote:After you loosen the nuts try to bounce the front end up and down to settle it. Wont be easy because of the.new springs. Then tighten it.up.

What he said, and yes you just have to loosen them, not remove them.

by driveit Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:17 am

Thanks guys. It really needs to drop a little!

by brownbomber77 Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:03 am

I use some 1/4 inch by 2 inch steel plate with holes drilled on either side. I compress the spring outside the car, install my compressor tool with 6 inch long bolts and install. When the spring is in place, I connect the spindle and undo the nuts and everything falls to the floor...with no danger of compressed energy exploding everywhere...haha

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:28 am

Got the front end aligned and put the back tires on the front as they were a bit taller. The front ones are now a little wider than the back, but I think that it does level it out a bit. Still no drop to the springs though. I don't expect it to. At least not enough to get the look I want.

What would you do?

Buy the same spring but with a 2 inch drop?

Buy a regular duty spring rather than the HD?

Cut out a coil or two?

by dynchel Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:49 am

i would (have) cut springs when facing this same problem. my experience is one coil = about one inch drop.

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:40 am

It needs about two inches of drop. I am thinking maybe a coil and a half?I don't want to go too far. I would really rather get a new spring instead of cut these. Doubt that is in the cards through unless someone wants to buy them from me. Alot of the coating has came off of them. Worst powder coating I have seen.

by Joe73 Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:17 am

Pop em out, cut off what you want with a cut off wheel, paint them and reinstall.

by dynchel Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:18 am

Joe73 wrote:Pop em out, cut off what you want with a cut off wheel, paint them and reinstall.

X2, they are not returnable after install. plus what if you get new springs and it still does not sit hiow you want it, if you cut them it will sit lower than it does now. Cool

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:46 am

I just didn't want to ruin the ride. It drives so good now. I am extremely impressed. I wonder if there would be a lot of difference?

by dynchel Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:49 am

i have cut big block springs (replaced in '95) and my car rides very nice....not quite as nice as my crown victoria d/d but close. <?>

by Brainstain Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:28 pm

If you cut them the spring rate shouldn't change, they'll just be shorter. Unless they are progressive?

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:26 pm

They're not progressive.

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:07 pm

Would it be better to use a torch or a cutoff wheel?

by thatfnthing Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:10 pm

Cut off wheel. With a torch you run the risk of inducing too much heat into the spring and it will lose tension.

by driveit Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:18 pm

Thats kinda what I thought. I will probably wait until the spring before tackling the job. Can't wait to get that mean stance.

by Brainstain Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:05 pm

I'd do it now. That way it's done in the spring and you can do other stuff.

by Joe73 Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:15 pm

Definitely cut off wheel. Ive watched guys.torch.them while on the lift to.the right. Height. Too hit or miss for me. Cut off wheel is the way to go.

by driveit Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:26 am

So, I was thinking about the stance of my car again and how I hate it now and have found myself wondering. Can the spring be cut with a cut off wheel while in the car. Jack the front end up take the wheel off and so on.

Any thoughts?

by dynchel Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:37 am

That won't work, even if you manage to cut it (highly unlikely) you will never get the cut piece out as the spring will be holding pressure on it.

by dynchel Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:44 am

You could always get those bolt on clamps (auto zone should have them). Not the best way but won't take long to install.

by driveit Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:51 am

Dang it. Those were so hard to put in. Maybe just cause they were so strong and tall. We had to almost compress them completely.

by dynchel Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:05 am

If you wanna drive up to Ohio I'll do it for you. I have some nice clamps that hold the spring compressed so putting them back in (after cutting them) is a snap. Probably an hour job.

by driveit Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:16 am

It took us a whole day!

I would love to, but I don't think the old girl is up to it. The motor is a little sick right now. Hoping to do a rebuild on one this winter.

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