Started taking my front end apart today for rebuild.Cant seem to get springs out,compressed them as much as the compreser would allow but they just will not drop out .Is there a type of compresser that works well on Mav. springs?Worked on one spring for about an hour,broke my 1/2 craftsman rachet .is there something I am missing?:confused: This is the first time I could not get a spring out. I sure hope the new springs go in O.K.
I had exactly the same problem when I tried to swap the springs in my 4 door. The compressor shaft (threaded) was too long and hit the lower perch no matter what I tried. If you find a tool that works, I'd sure be interested myself. I understand S-K has a compressor that has a shorter center shaft, but I haven't found it yet.
You should have the spring compressor in so that the threaded rod comes up. One set of hooks are threaded and the other spin freely on the threaded rod. The threaded set of hooks need to be on the top. A lot of these compressors have the threaded hooks on the bottom. If so you will need to switch them and then weld a nut on the bottom of the threaded rod. If you dont have a welder, you can thread a nut so it is flush, then drill a hole through the nut and rod and put a cotter key or drive a spring pin through it. Also stick a couple of washers between this nut and the bottom set of hooks and keep some grease on them too.
I used the loaner tool spring compressor from Auto Zone. It worked great. I haven't seen one like it before . It was an internal type with the two hooked arms that went on the bottom. The top part was a big forked cast looking thing that you slid in between a coil and around the back. Hard to explain - I looked for a picture for about the last 20 minutes and can not find one. I can honestly say it took me longer to remove both shocks than it did to compress, remove, cut, and reinstall both springs. I used a long extension right down through the shock hole. Didn't try a ratchet - just 150psi and a 1/2 impact. Cleaver
Dave ... I may be able to help you out tomorrow afternoon. Borrow one of the compressors from AutoZone and I have the attachment for Maverick type shock towers. I have used it on several cars ... works great. The tool I used does require you to remove the upper control arm to remove the spring. Are you rebuilding your front suspension? Send me an email with your phone number and I'll see what I can do tomorrow .... Dan dmhines@mac.com Make sure you borrow this one:
Those are the ones that are reversed for our application. As you compress the coil, the threaded rod goes down. Make the mod I mentioned and it will work much better. You wont need any adapters.
I used the loaner from auto zone. It looked just like the pic dmhines posted. When I first tried it, I ran into the same problem that Wes had. I cut a length of pipe and slipped it over the threaded rod between the top hooks and the nut(tool oriented with the nut facing top), and the rod no longer hit the perch. The only problem with this is that when the spring is out of the car and youre trying to uncompress it, you run out of threads before you run out of tension Makes it a little hairy coming apart, but not too bad. I could probably have made the length of pipe a little shorter and avoided this problem. Also, you dont have to fully compress the spring to get it out. Just get it to where it jiggles freely and is not putting a load on the perch, and then simply unbolt the control arm and pull the control arm and spring out together. Good luck and be careful, Im sure you dont need us to tell you how dangerous a loaded spring can be. AC
I just got back from AZone with there compressors it looks like it might work.I will find out tomorrow.
I bought one of these EZ Toppers to basically replicate the original Ford Type Compressor ... It replaces the hook on the end of the compressor above. The only problem is that it compresses the spring to the top of the shock tower. You must then remove the upper control arm to uncompress and remove the spring. This was never an issue for me because I was replacing the entire suspension anyway.
Where did you find that jewel? How much was it?Looks like it could be made.The tool from AZ is an OEM brand part#27035.Thanks for all the suggestons.I knew it was going to be long day when I broke off a bolt in the caliper bracket first thing today Took a while to fix that.I have been working on GMs for the last 15yrs so I will have to relearn Fords.Yesterday went to pull off steering wheel and found that some one broke off a bolt in one of the holes needed for the puller.Tried to pound it off with a mallet but it won't budge.
I've seen those eztoppers. If you get the loner tool, just drill and pin the nut on the bottom with a cotter key. Then you can take the nut off when its time to return it. This way you dont have to remove the control arm.
That Auto Zone compressor worked great.Now comes the fun part of cleaning and detail work before it all goes back together.Anyone have any tips on removing undercoating?
Well If they ar old sprongs I plan on not reusing I cut them with the torch. NOt as scary as it sounds I have an old MOOG spring compressor it does all the old cars. It has 5 or 6 adaptors. It isn't made anymore.
Undercoating......fastest way I have found is propane torch and a putty knife. Just be careful...if you start a fire and burn up a bunch of stuff....this conversation never happened. Laquer thinner usually softens it too. Cleaver
