Classic Mustangs List Archive

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

New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the
shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to
jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
compress, just raises the car.

Is this common? Can I use an external spring
compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is
the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
to fail when uncompressed?

Thanks, Jim


__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Rich Silva)

At 06:20 AM 2/25/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the
>shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to
>jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
>compress, just raises the car.
>
>Is this common? Can I use an external spring
>compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
>the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is
>the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
>to fail when uncompressed?


Jim,

Hard to answer with only the information you have provided... Is this part
of a complete front end replace (ie, did you also replace the springs? Or
have you used this vehicle with these springs before....?)... or just a
shock replacement?

But it sounds like you may have the wrong springs (nothing else being
wrong...). If your springs are not compressing when you jack up the lower
control arm, either 1) the spring is way too stiff 2) Something else is
binding (control arms are the most likely 3) a remote possibility is that
the top of the spring is bound somewhere and is not reaching the top of the
spring perch...

What I'd do, probably...

1) remove new shock to avoid damage while checking things...
2) inspect spring in place... Is it reaching the top spring perch? Is the
bottom of the spring turned correctly so the end of the coil rests against
(or at least very near) that little tab on the bottom perch?
3) Remove the spring (you'll probably need the spring compressor for
this...). Now check your control arms.. Are they binding at all? (Without
the spring, they should be pretty easy to move up and down
4) Is there any binding in the steering?

If this doesnt turn up the culprit... I'd check to make sure that you have
the right springs and the right shocks...

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

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I met that problem with my 65. KYB shocks and new springs. First, make =
sure the springs you have are correct for your application. There are =
many type available, depending on the load on the front end (V8 or I6, =
options). =20

Try this (supposing your car is complete & in running condition) :
Install the wheels on the front, and put in back on the floor. Then lift =
up the back of your Mustang (under rear axle) as high as you can. This =
will transfer some load from back to front, and compress your front =
springs enough to install the bolts on shock absorbers. If springs do =
not compress this way, I would say the spring you have are too stiff for =
your car, and will not flex when driven.

Fabrice
Mustang 65 conv - 289 4V, C4
Olds F-85 Cutlass 62 - aluminium 215 4V, Hydramatic

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Jim Kruse=20
To: (email redacted)=20
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 3:20 PM
Subject: [CM] Front shocks not reaching bottom of coil spring


New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the
shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to
jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
compress, just raises the car.

Is this common? Can I use an external spring
compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is
the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
to fail when uncompressed?

Thanks, Jim


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
sports.yahoo.com


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<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" =
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<BODY bgColor=3D#fefff4>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>I met that problem with =
my 65. KYB=20
shocks and new springs. First, make sure the springs you have are =
correct for=20
your application. There are many type available, depending on the =
load&nbsp;on=20
the front end (V8 or I6, options). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>Try this (supposing =
your car is=20
complete &amp; in running condition) :</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>Install the wheels on =
the front, and=20
put in back on the floor. Then lift up the back of your Mustang (under =
rear=20
axle) as high as you can. This will transfer some load from back to =
front, and=20
compress your front springs enough to&nbsp;install the&nbsp;bolts on =
shock=20
absorbers. If&nbsp;springs do not compress this way, I would say the =
spring you=20
have are too stiff&nbsp;for your car, and&nbsp;will not flex when=20
driven.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>Fabrice<BR>Mustang 65 =
conv - 289 4V,=20
C4<BR>Olds F-85 Cutlass 62 - aluminium 215 4V, =
Hydramatic<BR></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: =
0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A href=3D"mailtoemail redacted)" title=(email redacted)>Jim =
Kruse</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
href=3D"mailtoemail redacted)"=20
=
title=(email redacted)>classic-mustangs@mix.twistedp=
air.ca</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, February 25, 2002 =
3:20=20
PM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [CM] Front shocks not =
reaching=20
bottom of coil spring</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>New KYB shocks, BB coil springs.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bottom =
of=20
the<BR>shock won't reach the spring perch.&nbsp; I've attempted =
to<BR>jack up=20
the lowr control arm, but the spring won't<BR>compress, just raises =
the=20
car.<BR><BR>Is this common?&nbsp; Can I use an external =
spring<BR>compressor=20
to compress the spring a little to allow<BR>the shock to be bolted =
on?&nbsp;=20
If this is the case, is<BR>the coil spring to heavy and would it cause =
the=20
shock<BR>to fail when uncompressed?<BR><BR>Thanks,=20
=
Jim<BR><BR><BR>__________________________________________________<BR>Do =
You=20
Yahoo!?<BR>Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games<BR><A=20
=
href=3D"sports.yahoo.com">sports.yahoo.com</A><BR></BLOCKQU=
OTE></BODY></HTML>

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

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Jim,

This is the ultra simple thought,
assuming spring rate and everything else is OK.

As I've replaced shocks, I always had to compress
or pull apart (can't remember) the shock to get the
ends to reach their attaching points. It sounds like
you're trying to compress the suspension to have it
meet the shock.

My apologizes if I missed the point of your question.

Regards,
Randy Siwik
Central Ohio


>
> >New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the
> >shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to
> >jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
> >compress, just raises the car.
> >
> >Is this common? Can I use an external spring
> >compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
> >the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is
> >the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
> >to fail when uncompressed?
>
>

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<html>
&nbsp;
<br>Jim,
<p>This is the ultra simple thought,
<br>assuming spring rate and everything else is OK.
<p>As I've replaced shocks, I always had to compress
<br>or pull apart (can't remember) the shock to get the
<br>ends to reach their attaching points.&nbsp; It sounds like
<br>you're trying to compress the suspension to have it
<br>meet the shock.
<p>My apologizes if I missed the point of your question.
<p>Regards,
<br>Randy Siwik
<br>Central Ohio
<br>&nbsp;
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>&nbsp;
<br>>New KYB shocks, BB coil springs.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bottom of the
<br>>shock won't reach the spring perch.&nbsp; I've attempted to
<br>>jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
<br>>compress, just raises the car.
<br>>
<br>>Is this common?&nbsp; Can I use an external spring
<br>>compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
<br>>the shock to be bolted on?&nbsp; If this is the case, is
<br>>the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
<br>>to fail when uncompressed?
<br>&nbsp;
<br><a href="mix.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo/classic-mustangs"></a>&nbsp;</blockquote>
</html>

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

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New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the=20
>shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to=20
>jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't=20
>compress, just raises the car.=20
>=20
>Is this common? Can I use an external spring=20
>compressor to compress the spring a little to allow=20
>the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is=20
>the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock=20
>to fail when uncompressed?=20
=20
Just a thought...is the motor in the car? maybe that's why it only =
lifts when put under load?

Ron

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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
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<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV>New KYB shocks, BB coil springs.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bottom of the=20
<BR>&gt;shock won't reach the spring perch.&nbsp; I've attempted to =
<BR>&gt;jack=20
up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't <BR>&gt;compress, just =
raises the=20
car. <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt;Is this common?&nbsp; Can I use an external spring =

<BR>&gt;compressor to compress the spring a little to allow <BR>&gt;the =
shock to=20
be bolted on?&nbsp; If this is the case, is <BR>&gt;the coil spring to =
heavy and=20
would it cause the shock <BR>&gt;to fail when=20
uncompressed?&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR><A=20
href=3D"mix.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo/classic-mustangs"></A>=
&nbsp;<FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Just a thought...is the motor in the car? maybe =
that's why it=20
only lifts when put under load?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Ron</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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

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May sound a little belittling, but it isn't meant that way. Did you release
the shocks by twisting the body about 90 deg? I installed KYBs on my 65 last
year. A little twist of the wrist and the darn things were hard to install
for the opposite reason. Just a though, but it is often the simple things
that get us.

Gordon Couch
(865) 694-0605
Knoxville, TN


----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Kruse
To: (email redacted)
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 9:20 AM
Subject: [CM] Front shocks not reaching bottom of coil spring


New KYB shocks, BB coil springs. The bottom of the
shock won't reach the spring perch. I've attempted to
jack up the lowr control arm, but the spring won't
compress, just raises the car.

Is this common? Can I use an external spring
compressor to compress the spring a little to allow
the shock to be bolted on? If this is the case, is
the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the shock
to fail when uncompressed?

Thanks, Jim


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
sports.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________
Classic-mustangs mailing list
(email redacted)
mix.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo/classic-mustangs

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<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>May sound a little belittling, but it isn't
meant that way. Did you release the shocks by twisting the body about 90 deg? I
installed KYBs on my 65 last year. A little twist of the wrist and the darn
things were hard to install for the opposite reason. Just a though, but it is
often the simple things that get us.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Gordon Couch<BR>(865) 694-0605<BR>Knoxville, TN</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=(email redacted) href="mailtoemail redacted)">Jim Kruse</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=(email redacted)
href="mailtoemail redacted)">(email redacted)</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, February 25, 2002 9:20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [CM] Front shocks not reaching
bottom of coil spring</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>New KYB shocks, BB coil springs.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bottom of
the<BR>shock won't reach the spring perch.&nbsp; I've attempted to<BR>jack up
the lowr control arm, but the spring won't<BR>compress, just raises the
car.<BR><BR>Is this common?&nbsp; Can I use an external spring<BR>compressor
to compress the spring a little to allow<BR>the shock to be bolted on?&nbsp;
If this is the case, is<BR>the coil spring to heavy and would it cause the
shock<BR>to fail when uncompressed?<BR><BR>Thanks,
Jim<BR><BR><BR>__________________________________________________<BR>Do You
Yahoo!?<BR>Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games<BR><A
href="sports.yahoo.com">sports.yahoo.com</A><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Classic-mustangs
mailing list<BR><A
href="mailtoemail redacted)">(email redacted)</A><BR><A
href="mix.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo/classic-mustangs">mix.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo/classic-mustangs</A></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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