Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Steve Vereb (email redacted)

Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?

Also - anyone have a good cam recommendation for 302, Weiand Action plus
manifold and 600 Holley. Otherwise stock engine
TIA
steve vereb
(email redacted)

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Mail From: Sam Weatherby (email redacted)

I usually rent the McPherson strut compressors and the kind that goinside
and use both.
But I am kind of paranoid... ( I also use twice as many jackstands as
needed.)
-srw


Sam Weatherby (email redacted)
insert.com/sammy ICQ # 18354914
'70 Mustang Grabber Sportsroof
'93 F-150 XLT Lightning
'98 FXD Super Glide
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Vereb <(email redacted)>
To: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
Date: Friday, November 27, 1998 8:18 AM
Subject: [CM:14583] coil spring installation


>Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
>springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
>from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
>the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
>get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
>this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
>Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?
>
>Also - anyone have a good cam recommendation for 302, Weiand Action plus
>manifold and 600 Holley. Otherwise stock engine
>TIA
>steve vereb
>(email redacted)
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at hotmail.com
>
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: David B. Hollis (email redacted)


Steve,

I used a center spring compressor from Landmesser Tools (mail order) to do
my '66; the fit was very tight. I was able to get them out reasonably
easily, but to get them back in I ended up (having to?) cut about an inch
off of the length of the shaft of the compressor, otherwise I didn't have
enough clearance to manuever the tool and spring when putting back in. Is
that your problem or is it that the compressed height of the spring itself
is too great?

I'm not sure I understand your question about the upper arm. It is
supposed to be on during the job. Were you thinking of somehow holding the
compressed spring in place while putting the arm back on?

- Dave

p.s. Don't be shy about greasing the compressor tool - a safety thing.


At 12:21 AM 11/28/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
>springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
>from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
>the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
>get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
>this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
>Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?
>
>Also - anyone have a good cam recommendation for 302, Weiand Action plus
>manifold and 600 Holley. Otherwise stock engine
>TIA
>steve vereb
>(email redacted)
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at hotmail.com
>
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (email redacted)

<<Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?>>

I just did this about a week ago on my 66's front end rebuild. What I did was
rent the spring compressor , actually "rent it for free" from Chief auto parts
and instead of trying to compress the spring while in the shock tower, I
compressed it outside using a vise to keep the spring from spinning while
under torque from the compressor...(only do this if your compressor is VERY
safe). Have the upper arm attached with shims and everything...After
compressing the spring outside to a small enough length simply insert it and
decompress it. I know there are different styles of compressers...In my case
I used a 2 sided compresser with very safe claws, and a nut which allowed me
to decompress by turning it with a 15/16 socket from the top of the shock
tower. Good luck, have fun

Danny

P.S. Anyone interested in buying my old suspension parts off a 66? They need
complete rebuilding...(i.e. upper/lower ball joints bushings.etc.) I have the
2 upper and lower arms with the 2 spring perches for sale or would trade
for??? Best offer takes the parts....Thanks

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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Mark Dixon (email redacted)

Upper arm ON. An old Aussie trick is to get a front end loader or bobcat to
lower the bucket onto the spring and push down. Atthe right height of
compression, rope the top coil to the bottom, install in car, cut rope.
Rough as guts I know, but when all else fails .... I don't actually
recommend this method, but have seen it done and it works if the arms are in
the right location. Make sure your head is clear of the likely exit point
for a spring leaving the area earlier than intended.

Mark Dixon
Capital Classics
Canberra

Check the Upgraded Capital Classics Web Site
:"capitalclassics.cyberone.com.au"
-----Original Message-----
From: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
To: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
Date: 28 November, 1998 2:01 PM
Subject: Re: [CM:14586] coil spring installation


><<Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
>springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
>from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
>the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
>get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
>this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
>Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?>>
>
>I just did this about a week ago on my 66's front end rebuild. What I did
was
>rent the spring compressor , actually "rent it for free" from Chief auto
parts
>and instead of trying to compress the spring while in the shock tower, I
>compressed it outside using a vise to keep the spring from spinning while
>under torque from the compressor...(only do this if your compressor is VERY
>safe). Have the upper arm attached with shims and everything...After
>compressing the spring outside to a small enough length simply insert it
and
>decompress it. I know there are different styles of compressers...In my
case
>I used a 2 sided compresser with very safe claws, and a nut which allowed
me
>to decompress by turning it with a 15/16 socket from the top of the shock
>tower. Good luck, have fun
>
>Danny
>
>P.S. Anyone interested in buying my old suspension parts off a 66? They
need
>complete rebuilding...(i.e. upper/lower ball joints bushings.etc.) I have
the
>2 upper and lower arms with the 2 spring perches for sale or would trade
>for??? Best offer takes the parts....Thanks
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>All the list info you'll ever want: antler.moose.to/~server/cm
>


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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: chuck sanborn (email redacted)


>
> >. Trying to reinstall
> >the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
> >get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
> >this.


This question has come up a few times before on the Falcon list and here is
what I did:

Yup...simply put the nut with the set screw on the other end, reverse the
clamps and double nut the other end. It now works in reverse but you
don't run into your lower arms with the darn thing.
Chuck
*****************************************************************
Chuck Sanborn FCA# 07175
Torrance, CA
1964 Falcon Sprint 289 w/351W heads and other assorted
goodies-New primer coming soon...then again, maybe not!
******************************************************************
"When you're up to your butt in alligators it's hard
to remember that you just came in to drain the swamp"
******************************************************************



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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: David B. Hollis (email redacted)


Hmmm, are you by any chance related to Crocodile Dundee? Sounds like
something he would do.


At 04:21 PM 11/28/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Upper arm ON. An old Aussie trick is to get a front end loader or bobcat to
>lower the bucket onto the spring and push down. Atthe right height of
>compression, rope the top coil to the bottom, install in car, cut rope.
>Rough as guts I know, but when all else fails .... I don't actually
>recommend this method, but have seen it done and it works if the arms are in
>the right location. Make sure your head is clear of the likely exit point
>for a spring leaving the area earlier than intended.
>
>Mark Dixon
>Capital Classics
>Canberra
>
>Check the Upgraded Capital Classics Web Site
>:"capitalclassics.cyberone.com.au"
>-----Original Message-----
>From: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
>To: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
>Date: 28 November, 1998 2:01 PM
>Subject: Re: [CM:14586] coil spring installation
>
>
>><<Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
>>springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
>>from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
>>the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
>>get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
>>this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
>>Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?>>
>>
>>I just did this about a week ago on my 66's front end rebuild. What I did
>was
>>rent the spring compressor , actually "rent it for free" from Chief auto
>parts
>>and instead of trying to compress the spring while in the shock tower, I
>>compressed it outside using a vise to keep the spring from spinning while
>>under torque from the compressor...(only do this if your compressor is VERY
>>safe). Have the upper arm attached with shims and everything...After
>>compressing the spring outside to a small enough length simply insert it
>and
>>decompress it. I know there are different styles of compressers...In my
>case
>>I used a 2 sided compresser with very safe claws, and a nut which allowed
>me
>>to decompress by turning it with a 15/16 socket from the top of the shock
>>tower. Good luck, have fun
>>
>>Danny
>>
>>P.S. Anyone interested in buying my old suspension parts off a 66? They
>need
>>complete rebuilding...(i.e. upper/lower ball joints bushings.etc.) I have
>the
>>2 upper and lower arms with the 2 spring perches for sale or would trade
>>for??? Best offer takes the parts....Thanks
>>
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>All the list info you'll ever want: antler.moose.to/~server/cm
>>
>
>
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>All the list info you'll ever want: antler.moose.to/~server/cm
>
>

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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Mark Dixon (email redacted)

We're great believers in that "necessity is the mother of invention".

Many moons ago, I was trying to remove coils from a 65 mustang. Unbolted
everything, but coil wouldn't budge and I didn't have a compressor. Being
unwise about the power a compresed spring has, I inserted a crow bar to
dislodge the upper arm. Fortunately, the leverage I needed called for me to
lean against the car at an angle to the spring. Without any warning, the
arm moved and the spring flew out at head height and hit the brick wall of
my garage 30 feet away !

One brick was shattered as a result of the impact and I could only wonder
what might have happened if the spring had hit me in the head. Needless to
say, I never tried this trick again. Scary stuff.


Mark Dixon
Capital Classics
Canberra

Check the Upgraded Capital Classics Web Site
:"capitalclassics.cyberone.com.au"
-----Original Message-----
From: David B. Hollis <(email redacted)>
To: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
Date: 29 November, 1998 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [CM:14596] coil spring installation


>
>Hmmm, are you by any chance related to Crocodile Dundee? Sounds like
>something he would do.
>
>
>At 04:21 PM 11/28/98 -0400, you wrote:
>>Upper arm ON. An old Aussie trick is to get a front end loader or bobcat
to
>>lower the bucket onto the spring and push down. Atthe right height of
>>compression, rope the top coil to the bottom, install in car, cut rope.
>>Rough as guts I know, but when all else fails .... I don't actually
>>recommend this method, but have seen it done and it works if the arms are
in
>>the right location. Make sure your head is clear of the likely exit point
>>for a spring leaving the area earlier than intended.
>>
>>Mark Dixon
>>Capital Classics
>>Canberra
>>
>>Check the Upgraded Capital Classics Web Site
>>:"capitalclassics.cyberone.com.au"
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
>>To: (email redacted) <(email redacted)>
>>Date: 28 November, 1998 2:01 PM
>>Subject: Re: [CM:14586] coil spring installation
>>
>>
>>><<Replaced the front suspension and am trying to reinstall the coil
>>>springs on my 65. Got the springs off using McPherson strut compressors
>>>from the local Autozone rent-it for free program. Trying to reinstall
>>>the spring and started using the Autozone center compressor but cannot
>>>get the spring compressed enough to get it in. Are there any tricks to
>>>this. Is the Ford top of the shock tower compressor the only way to go?
>>>Upper arm is off now. Should it be on or off?>>
>>>
>>>I just did this about a week ago on my 66's front end rebuild. What I
did
>>was
>>>rent the spring compressor , actually "rent it for free" from Chief auto
>>parts
>>>and instead of trying to compress the spring while in the shock tower, I
>>>compressed it outside using a vise to keep the spring from spinning while
>>>under torque from the compressor...(only do this if your compressor is
VERY
>>>safe). Have the upper arm attached with shims and everything...After
>>>compressing the spring outside to a small enough length simply insert it
>>and
>>>decompress it. I know there are different styles of compressers...In my
>>case
>>>I used a 2 sided compresser with very safe claws, and a nut which allowed
>>me
>>>to decompress by turning it with a 15/16 socket from the top of the shock
>>>tower. Good luck, have fun
>>>
>>>Danny
>>>
>>>P.S. Anyone interested in buying my old suspension parts off a 66? They
>>need
>>>complete rebuilding...(i.e. upper/lower ball joints bushings.etc.) I have
>>the
>>>2 upper and lower arms with the 2 spring perches for sale or would trade
>>>for??? Best offer takes the parts....Thanks
>>>
>>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>All the list info you'll ever want: antler.moose.to/~server/cm
>>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
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