CPP Upper control arm install

I installed the lower control arm set up last fall and loved it. Now I am going to install the uppers soon and have a couple of questions.

Looking at Patman's write up, it shows removing the spring cover and using a spring compressor that is on the outside of the springs. Is the best way to go? Has anybody used a compressor that goes inside the springs? I sprayed that area of the car with POR during the rebuild and now the bolts would be hard to get off.

Patman's write up looks very thorough and will be of great help, but does anybody else that has installed the setup have any hints?

Also there was some talk awhile back about steering stops for the lower arms. Did anything ever become of this?

Thanks

Al

the first time i changed coils on my 67 i used an outside type compressor. it was not fun. an inside type compressor is definately the way to go.

I'm not sure what you're looking at exactly, but... :D

I have never taken the spring covers off of my car.

The CPP writeup that I did was for the lowers, I still have the stock uppers on the car. With that in mind, I did replace the springs and UCA bushings a long while back. When I did that, I used an inside spring compressor. It didn't work out exactly as planned, I had to add some spacers on the threaded rod to get enough travel to grab the springs. Even at that, it wasn't too difficult to do.

http://www.bracketracer.com/uca17.jpg

I did a writeup of that process, you can see it at:

http://www.bracketracer.com/novauca.htm

(Sorry the pictures are so small, but...that was 7-8 years ago, and that's the resolution of the digital camera I had at the time!)

I installed the lower control arm set up last fall and loved it. Now I am going to install the uppers soon and have a couple of questions.

Looking at Patman's write up, it shows removing the spring cover and using a spring compressor that is on the outside of the springs. Is the best way to go? Has anybody used a compressor that goes inside the springs? I sprayed that area of the car with POR during the rebuild and now the bolts would be hard to get off.

Patman's write up looks very thorough and will be of great help, but does anybody else that has installed the setup have any hints?

Also there was some talk awhile back about steering stops for the lower arms. Did anything ever become of this?

Thanks

Al
Steering stops are almost a must with rack and pinion steering.The mechanical advantage generated could cause lots of trouble.The "Bills II rack and pinion conversion" will explain how to set yours up to prevent any bending.

just ta drop a couple pennies on this thread... notice PatMan's compressor ??? see the spacer ??? most all compressors i've seen do not come with the spacer. some cars when ya get the compressor installed there's not enough room to fully compress the spring due to compressor bolt length... THAT'S where that handy ol' spacer comes in... i also caution you to maybe run a chain through the spring and bolt it up as a preventative safety measure... if the spring pops and jumps out of the compressor it could kill ya. NO JOKE.


please... BE CAREFULL... and safe ;)

I used copper tubing for the spacer because...that's what I had handy. In hindsight, that probably wasn't the best choice of materials. I survived unscathed, but...YMMV... The safety chain idea is a good one. Never underestimate the oomph in those springs.

If I get ambitious, I'll dig out my spring compressor and snap a better photo.

I made a spring compressor that bolts in just like the shock absorber and compresses the spring using the perch on one end and a plate on the top end. If you don't like to compress springs, just get some in the 600#/in range and they'll pop right out.

This a spring comp. I made to compress the coil springs. Works good because I used u-bolts to clamp the bar to the coil spring so it wont slip off.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c160/ss66nova/NewHomemadespringcompressor.jpg

I picked up this spring compressor off of ebay it works good for me but not real cheap.. Just thought i would share...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260084763355&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RUPX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=260084761871&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=UpSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

I'm sorry for the confusion, old age got me. The write up I was refering to was written by NOGO.

It is the write up that is listed in his signature block.

I will probably try to rent a compressor from Auto Zone and put the spacer in that Patman showed.

And thank you Johnny for the idea on the chain.

Al

I will probably try to rent a compressor from Auto Zone and put the spacer in that Patman showed.

And thank you Johnny for the idea on the chain.

Al

A 5" x 3/4" galvanized (steel) pipe nipple works great as a spacer on those internal spring compressors. I used a few grade 8 washers at the top and bottom of the spacer when sliding it over the threaded rod on mine.

A better view of what Rex suggested with the galv niple.

A better view of what Rex suggested with the galv niple.

Whould I also use this type of compressor on gen 3 Novas?