I am going through and replacing all the front components on my "other project" (Camaro). I know there is a lot of different spring compressor's out there, what has worked best for you? With the fronts the internal is about the only way to go, looking for suggestions.
Chris R said
Feb 13, 2011
The style that clamps inside the spring are the ones that work best for me.
I have a spring compressor that looks very similar to the one Jim posted, I haven't used it in years. Dug it out last night to look at it after reading your post, and like wow it was made in the USA.
Your more than welcome to use it, I can bring it to our Sat meeting.
K
69SSConv said
Feb 14, 2011
Thanks for the posts, I looked at renting one from O'Reilly's but theirs has the hooks on the top and a rectangular type plate on the bottom that limited where you could install the plate if the control arms were in the way. I was able to find one yesterday, for less than $40 so I picked it up.
Thanks again.
Lost in the 60s said
Feb 14, 2011
69SSConv wrote:
Thanks for the posts, I looked at renting one from O'Reilly's but theirs has the hooks on the top and a rectangular type plate on the bottom that limited where you could install the plate if the control arms were in the way. I was able to find one yesterday, for less than $40 so I picked it up.
Thanks again.
I rented the one from O'Reilly's to install the front springs in my GTO last year and it SUCKED with that plate. I had a he!! of a time getting the tool out afterward. I normally just use my floor jack and the weight of the vehicle but the GTO was a bare, rolling chassis. I just installed the front springs in my '66 Chevelle with the jack last week.
jim larson said
Feb 14, 2011
I couldn't get the spring in place before jacking it up with the floor jack. So I compressed the spring a little to get it in place, there are those little groves that it has to fit into. Then I jack it up with the floor jack and connected the upper ball joint
69SSConv said
Feb 14, 2011
I agree on the O'Reilly's version with the plate, I remember when I did the Chevelle springs without the engine in, I had to attempt several times because the plate would get stuck or not allow the lower control arm to come up far enough. I pays to have the right tools!
Chris R said
Feb 14, 2011
Your right around the corner from Jamie. He has a slick way of doing this. Using a plate and a section of threaded rod to get the job done and you dont need the engine in the car to do so. But the tool I have is the same as the photo posted above.
jim larson said
Feb 14, 2011
I tied the threaded rod up though the shock hole with the plate on the bottom. Again it won't work unless you get the spring in. If the spring is to long (tall), you will have to compress it a little to get it to slide in place, then the threaded rod or the floor jack.
Chris R said
Feb 14, 2011
Where is Dave? They did this on Mikes car a few years back. I missed seeing it done that day, got there after that stuff was out of the car. Thats correct though, your going to need the spring compressed a lot of the time. Or just put lowered springs and not have the problem in the first place.
Dave Seitz said
Feb 14, 2011
I have the threaded rod and plates from doing Mikes car twice and even did Ricks car once. Worked fine and the only thing I would change is going to an ACME square thread but what I have anyone in the club can use and I still feel safe with it.
dashboard said
Feb 14, 2011
Jim,
Could you post a pix of your tool less the spring? Just the tool on a piece of paper.
Chris R said
Feb 14, 2011
dashboard wrote:
Jim,
Could you post a pix of your tool less the spring? Just the tool on a piece of paper.
I have a spring compressor that looks very similar to the one Jim posted, I haven't used it in years. Dug it out last night to look at it after reading your post, and like wow it was made in the USA.
Your more than welcome to use it, I can bring it to our Sat meeting.
K
I rented the one from O'Reilly's to install the front springs in my GTO last year and it SUCKED with that plate. I had a he!! of a time getting the tool out afterward. I normally just use my floor jack and the weight of the vehicle but the GTO was a bare, rolling chassis. I just installed the front springs in my '66 Chevelle with the jack last week.
Could you post a pix of your tool less the spring? Just the tool on a piece of paper.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=coil+spring+compressor+tool&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=11232750621882231937&ei=3AxaTeXdBYL_8AbbndmeDg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDoQ8wIwAQ#