Gents,
I am about to remove the front springs on a 73 small block. Everything is off the frame except the front end.
I've set up the third method of using the hook type of compressor with the bottom hook(no threads) removed and a plate added under the bottom A-arm.
I noticed someone in the archives suggests to compress the spring until the coils touch, but in the GM shop manual it says that the max the spring should be compressed is 0.5 inch between coils. I would think the shop manual is correct? Plus you need to get a safety chain in place as well. You can't do this by completely collapsing the spring.
Using this method, it looks like the spring can only be compressed 2 inches max. since the hook can only grab 4 coils. Is this enough to clear the upper spring pocket once the upper ball joint is detached?
I've got the smaller hook facing inboard as suggested to create the banana shape to the spring.
I was thinking of only detaching the upper ball joint only and getting rid of the spring so that I will spend the mininum time with the spring compressed and then remove the lower ball joint. Is this OK?
How long is the spring uncompressed, so that I can make sure I have enough thread to decompress the spring.
I've got it all set-up but I thought I'd wait to get your imput before I actually do this.
Steve L
73 coupe since new
I am about to remove the front springs on a 73 small block. Everything is off the frame except the front end.
I've set up the third method of using the hook type of compressor with the bottom hook(no threads) removed and a plate added under the bottom A-arm.
I noticed someone in the archives suggests to compress the spring until the coils touch, but in the GM shop manual it says that the max the spring should be compressed is 0.5 inch between coils. I would think the shop manual is correct? Plus you need to get a safety chain in place as well. You can't do this by completely collapsing the spring.
Using this method, it looks like the spring can only be compressed 2 inches max. since the hook can only grab 4 coils. Is this enough to clear the upper spring pocket once the upper ball joint is detached?
I've got the smaller hook facing inboard as suggested to create the banana shape to the spring.
I was thinking of only detaching the upper ball joint only and getting rid of the spring so that I will spend the mininum time with the spring compressed and then remove the lower ball joint. Is this OK?
How long is the spring uncompressed, so that I can make sure I have enough thread to decompress the spring.
I've got it all set-up but I thought I'd wait to get your imput before I actually do this.
Steve L
73 coupe since new
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