[bigdaddykane]

hi
i was just curious on whats the best way to remove the front coil springs from a 68-72 subframe thats off the car and has just the wheels on it with no motor weight on it. you can literally roll the subframe around with the front wheels on it. normally i use the weight of the car and engine to remove the front coil springs with a jack under the lower control arm to release the pressure. but this time the subframe is out of the car with no enigne, whats the easiest way? what specific tool did you use? thanks in advance

 

[justin72nova]

a "free" spring compressor from your local car part store.

 

[bigdaddykane]

a "free" spring compressor from your local car part store.

hi, what exactly do you mean by "free" ? thanks

 

[justin72nova]

well you put a deposit down on the spring compressor, and when you return it you get your money back. Or you buy the spring compressor, but that won't be free.

 

[bigdaddykane]

well you put a deposit down on the spring compressor, and when you return it you get your money back. Or you buy the spring compressor, but that won't be free.

sounds like a very good idea to me! which parts stores do this? and what exactly does this type of spring compressor look like? thanks

 

[walkerjay]

Coils spring compressor is basically a threaded shaft with four "j" hooks. Mine was 4 bucks rental from auto zone. Get the hooks stretched out as far out as possible. Tighten up the shaft and the hooks will compress the spring. Take care to line the hooks up in an organized way (180 degrees across, etc) I recently did mine and put a stainless chain type bike lock around the spring and frame just in case it decided to pop out. safety first. Had to make sure the compressor shaft lined up with the upper shock mount hole in the frame because it actually came thru that spot. Otherwise it may "bottom out" against the upper frame and spring won't compress enough,.

After doing some research I found this to be the easiest way to reinstall them. You would figure it would just be the reverse procedure but this method worked like a charm. here's the idea...

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/suspension_steering/sucp_0806w_coil_spring_installation/photo_06.html

 

[justin72nova]

sounds like a very good idea to me! which parts stores do this? and what exactly does this type of spring compressor look like? thanks

AutoZone, Advanced Auto and NAPA do this, and I bet a few more.

 

[VooDooII]

Our local Auto Zone quit loaning tools, because of a law suit stating they were taking work from union mechanics:yes: