Suspension spring R&R?

abranz

Member
Well, I've finished the body work on my 69 Skylark and now am focussing on the mechanical. How should I go about replacing the springs without self injury? Thanks, Tony
 
Will a compressor like that fit between the A arms? I can't see how to fit them in such a limited space. Do any of you separate the lower ball joint and lower the arm with a jack? Thanks, Tony
 
How should I go about replacing the springs without self injury?

[ shrugs ]

i just jack the corner of the car up, take the tire and shock off and then use two crowbars to "walk" the spring out of the pocket.

better lucky than smart, i guess?

of course, you want to keep an eye out and not put fingers where they might get smooshed. it's not unusual for me to put my foot on the spring to make sure it doesn't "spring" too much when it pops out either.

Twister is a great game.
 
Most AutoZone or Advance Auto.Parts Stores will rent a spring compressor ( Hope you have one in your area ) .
The compressor works inside the spring after you remove the shocks ( I do not like the ones that clamp on the outside of the spring ..they can slip off ) and the one that works on the inside will keep the spring compressed . You do need to be careful after the spring is removed . Hope This Helps .
John
 
Thanks for the replies. I live in a rural part of northern Idaho without autozones/shucks/kragens, etc.
I'm at least seeing some progress with this project. The body restoration took me quite a while. I put the body back on the frame last weekend and probably should have replaced the rear springs while it was off. Engine/trans have been rebuilt, heck the entire car has been other than the suspension. The front springs just had me worried when I was looking at them.
Tony
 
spring

I had a 79 Monte Carlo dirt track car and change a lot of springs. first jack up the car. put a jack stand under the frame. remove wheel, shock, and sway bar link. lossen lower ball joint, but don't take the nut all the way off. place the jack under the a frame, but not touching it. hit the spindle at hte lower ball joint. if you hit it hard enough and often enough it should pop. jack up the jack under the a frame. remove the ball joint nut. lower the jack slowly. be sure to leave enough room when you first jack up the car. reverse the process to install. the spring is clocked in the lower a frame. good luck be careful
 
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