'69 coil spring install update

[Jeffrey S.]

Last week there was a thread about installing coil springs and I wrote that I was about to re-install 1 on my '69. It had been removed it to repair a broken lower a-frame. Well, this morning I successfully did the installation. I used the threaded portion of the coil spring compressor, the long threaded bolt, and I took a piece of steel and drilled a 5/8" hole in it I used this as a "washer" that I place under the a-frame. I ran the threaded bolt up through this piece and into the coil spring compressor part. I then secured the coil spring to the a-frame. I then tightened down the bolt to compress the spring to the a-frame. I inserted the spring into the pocket and attaced the a-frame to the steering knuckle. I then started to raise the inboard side of the a-frame up to the frame with a hydraulic jack until I felt the spring contact the frame. I then kept tightening down the bolt on the "tool" and raising the a-frame until I was close to the frame. Here is where it got hard. Lining up the 3 bolt holes took over a hour. By using 2 jacks I would raise and lower each side and shove and push and rock, etc. until I could get all 3 bolts started. Once everything was snugged up I released the compressor tool. It was then I realised that the arms of the upper portion of the spring compressor tool were captured in the turns of the spring. I had put the arms too high into the spring and they ended up in the frame pocket and wedged in tight. I then release the upper a-frame from the steering knuckle with a jack under the ball joint of the lower a-frame and slowly lowered the a-frame until the spring unloaded enough to free the arms of the tool. Once the tool was removed I raised the lower a-frame and re-attached it to the steering knuckle. The total time took about 2 hours. It was a lot of work and I was scared to death that before I got the spring into the pocket and attached to the steering knuckle that the spring was going to somehow "explode" apart. It didn't and the job is done. I hope my experience can be of help to someone out there.
Jeff Salz #13182

[Chuck R.]

Re: '69 coil spring install update

Glad it turned out ok for you Jeff.

My process had the lower control arm in place but disconnected from the Knuckle.

Two things made my process different than your's Jeff. 1) I had a stripped frame, with no dead weight to work in my favor. 2) Mine were SB coils vs. you BB coils (if there is a significant diffence I don't know)

During my whole process, I made good and sure that I was the back side of the coil's possible path of travel and that I had my safety glasses and HEAVY leather work gloves on! This process is definately one NOT to rush through.

Jeff, you were indeed smart to be scared of it.

My spring compressor's hooks slipped while it was just setting on the garage floor with the coil pulled up nice and tight. Even through it didn't have the ability to travel anywhere, the coil's release happened in less than a nano second and was violent! That's what prompted me to pursue the thread stock/hook setup.

PLUS, even if the internal coil compressor worked as it should have, the coils were so tight together when compressed, I doubt if I could have gotten the upper portion of the compressor out as it would have been well up in the tower. I'll never know.

Jeff, I wouldn't hesitate to tackle removing or installing another set of coils, but I tell ya, it wouldn't be on my list of best fun things to do.

Happy Spring! ....... Ahem...weather that is

Chuck

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: '69 coil spring install update

Chuck:
When I removed the spring from the a-arm, I was trying to use the compressor tool as designed and it let go as I was removing the spring from the pocket with the a-arm lowered to the floor. Thankfully, no harm done to me or anything else. To set the record straight, mine is also a small block but I don't think there is difference between small and big block with respect to spring removal/installation. Spring...weather that is, is still far away here in Detroit. Today it reached about 30 degrees with snow flurries.
Jeff