Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

[Gary B.]

I wanted to give a shout out to Tom Nowak for his excellent YouTube video on coil spring installation (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K0COGAbOdi0








Gary

[James W.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

Can it be done with the engine in the car?

James West

I wanted to give a shout out to Tom Nowak for his excellent YouTube video on coil spring installation (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K0COGAbOdi0). I used his exact approach today, using Tom’s suggested threaded rod, nuts, washers, and lower backing plate, to which I added a layer of rubber to protect the underside of the lower A-arm. Tom’s system worked great. I never had any safety concerns whatsoever. Thanks Tom.


Two comments: First, a 2-ft long threaded rod was plenty long. I think Tom used a 3-ft long rod in his video, but that would have been too long for me, given I had somewhat limited ground clearance. With a 2-ft rod, there was about 4” sticking up past the top of the upper shock hole before I started compressing the spring. Also, I bought a grade B7 rod by mail order. By buying a 2-ft instead of a 3-ft rod, you’ll save a bit on the rod and on the shipping.


Second, once the spring was installed and I had removed the threaded rod, I was unable to get my torque wrench socket on one of the two bolts where the front end of the lower A-arm pivot shaft attaches to the frame. I had to reinsert the rod and re-compress the coil spring in order for the lower A-arm to rotate to an angle that allowed me to get my socket and 3” extension on one of the two front bolts. I know I could have done that final torquing after the body is back on the frame and the body weight was on the suspension, but I wanted to torque the bolts and nuts that were possible to do, except of course for those that require the suspension to be normalized. So, if you want to torque those front lower bolts during the coil spring installation process, I suggest you do that before de-compressing the spring.


Gary

[Gary B.]

[Gary J.]

[Tim S.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

A friend of mine made the same tool (in theory). The difference in his, a nut was welded at the top of the threaded rod so that you can run an impact on it. Gives you quite a bit of room in the engine compartment if the body is still on the car (or motor as well).

It's a simple tool top make. One just needs to keep an eye on the threads of the rod as well as the nut beneath the lower control arm.

Tim

[James W.]

[Gary B.]

[Tim S.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

I recall about 2.5-3 ft.

Tim

[Gary B.]

[Thomas N.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

Gary Beaupre:
Thanks for the kind words. To install springs on a completed car, the smaller length will definitely help, along with a ratchet wrench, as Gary Jaynes has verified. I'm always glad to help.

[Robert P.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

anyone have one to sell that they are done using before i go buy the stuff to make one
thanks Bob Peckham

[Gary B.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

Bob,

This is the kind of tool that every chapter should consider having in their local loaner inventory. I plan to show my tool to my chapter colleagues and tell them it’s available to borrow via local pickup. If you’re in a local chapter, I’d be surprised if someone doesn’t already at least have the 5/8” diameter threaded rod. The machined bottom plate that attaches to the lower shock holes is the challenging part to get. Tom shows a drawing of that part at the end of his YouTube video.

Gary

[Gary B.]

[Brian E.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

Tom Nowak, would you please consider putting together a list of parts, sizes, etc. that one would need? Thanks for the consideration.
Brian

[Thomas N.]

Re: Shout-out to Tom Nowak re Coil Spring installation

Brian:
The list of parts is in the description paragraph of a you tube video I pushed out. The link to the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0COGAbOdi0 Copy and paste this into your browser.

Also, I've included the drawing for the block that mounts in the lower control arm in the video.

If you need any more information or questions, let me know.

I made some blocks up and sent them out to others already. If people are interested in a run of blocks, I can see about getting some more made.