Thread: What's the Trick w/ Coil Spings?

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I think I may have found the correct front coil springs. Thanks to all of you that helped me in my hunt. Once I got the old springs out it was clear that somewhere along the way somebody cut out a coil. I am not sure how I would have gotten them out otherwise.

Now I need to get them installed. I have gotten the coil spring compressor and compressed them a couple of different times but they are either not compressed enough or bending in the wrong direction. There must be something I am missing.

Please help. By the way, it is a 71 Camaro front end in a 1937 Cadillac with a big block(454).

Thanks, Jay

Is the spindle off so the bottom A-frame can swing open wide ?
also you may need to be using the inside type compressor if your not .
If I'm understanding correctly thats all I can think of .

found a pic , it's the second one down on the right http://www.taylorrentalcenter.com/webdoc9.htm
is that what you've got ?

If I remember my old GM's correctly, it does take the inside compressor or a great big pry bar and a lot of luck if you plan to do it in the non-preferred method......

Thanks guys. I do have the right spring compressor that threads through the middle.

Maybe I just need more patience.

I have had exactly the same problem.......I HATE dealing with coil springs. Every crank on the compressor feels like it will be the one when it breaks and the coil comes flying out.

When we did my Sons Capri we were installing Moroso front drag springs. I went to Advance Auto and rented their compressor because it was better than the one we had. We installed safety chains around the coil, just in case it came undone, and even at that we ended up ruining the compressor and had to buy it from them. Never did get the springs in........decided our lives were worth too much, so we bought a coil over front suspension setup and installed that.

I've replaced a couple in the past, but maybe I've gotten more cautious in my old age. Coil springs scare me to death.

Don

The inside one will be the one to use.You just have to grab the coils as far out as you can from top to bottom.But dont go too far out or when you decompress the spring the tool hooks will get jambed in the control arm or upper spring pocket.Just compress the crap out of them without stripping the rod.The tool may need to be taken apart to remove it when you get the spring in.It may not come out of the lower control arm.I just did mine about 3 weeks ago.What a pain in a** it was doing it by yourself on the floor.I rebuilt the whole thing when it was apart.Its 69 Camaro clip on a 35 chevy sedan.

Good luck and be safe with those.

I came up with an idea for a homemade spring compressor a few years ago that has always worked great. Put the spring in place. Take a piece of 3/8 stainless steel threaded rod and cut it long enough to go through the spring, lower control arm and upper spring pocket, like the front shock would mount. Cut two 12" pieces of 1/4" bar stock and drill a hole in the center of each. Put one under the lower control arm, threaded rod through the center hole. Put an oversized 3/8" nut on it. They make them with a 3/8" thread but the wrench size is 11/16". Do the same with the threaded rod sticking out of the top. Now just take a long 11/16" box end wrench and start turning the top nut. It'll draw thw lower control arm up, compressing the spring until you can get the spindle on. Just watch the bottom nut and don't let it spin off. I've used this on many springs with no problem and I think i made it for about 10 bux.