Front spring installation help

[Steve L.]

When I unloaded the spring, I used one of the spring compressors, but it was a pain.

So, I thought I'd use the method often posted here with a long threaded rod.

I have a B7 rod, 5/8 dia. 3 feet long, But putting through the upper shock mount and trying to get it through the lower shock mount is impossible. I can't get enough angle on the rod to get it through the lower shock mount. It's not even close. This is with a small block spring.

I must be missing something obvious here. The only possible way that I can see using this rod is to cut it down to about 2 feet, and putting a plate between the upper shock mount and the upper spring tower, then another plate under the lower A arm and thread from the bottom to compress the spring. But I don't think you guys are doing this.

Since this is a safety issue, I thought I'd stop and get some advise.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Steve,

I am not understanding your last paragraph but I think when the long rod is used the lower control arm is unbolted from the frame crossmember allowing it to sit down so the spring can be compressed square.

After the spring is compressed enough the crossmember can be moved back into position and bolted to the frame crossmember again..

I have never done it this way but I will next time. When I did this the last time my spring compressor slipped and it was very difficult to compress.

[Steve L.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Steve,

I am not understanding your last paragraph but I think when the long rod is used the lower control arm is unbolted from the frame crossmember allowing it to sit down so the spring can be compressed square.

After the spring is compressed enough the crossmember can be moved back into position and bolted to the frame crossmember again..

I have never done it this way but I will next time. When I did this the last time my spring compressor slipped and it was very difficult to compress.

I didn't realize that the lower control arm is unbolted? BTQ, the frame is bar

[Patrick T.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I have a '67 small block car and the threaded rod I used is a 5/8" x 24". Didn't have any problem but the car didn't have a front clip on it either. Why does it need to go through the lower shock mount? I just put the plate inside the spring and use a jack. PT

[Steve L.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I have a '67 small block car and the threaded rod I used is a 5/8" x 24". Didn't have any problem but the car didn't have a front clip on it either. Why does it need to go through the lower shock mount? I just put the plate inside the spring and use a jack. PT

Thanks for the picture. I'm trying to get the rod to go from the upper shock mount, clear through to the lower A-arm and then put the plate under the A-arm. Your plate goes through the upper part of the spring.
This isn't the way I invisioned of doing this.

By trying to go right through with the rod, the angle of the rod is limited when placing the rod through the upper shock mount and the hole in the spring tower. Then there is no way that the threaded rod can get through the lower A-arm shock hole. It's not even close.

Is your method the way everyone else is applying the 5/8" rod method?

[Patrick T.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Is your method the way everyone else is applying the 5/8" rod method?

That's the only way I've seen it done. I used duct tape on the steel plate so it didn't scratch up the springs. Good luck. PT

[Dennis S.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I just did mine last night using a spring compressor with two uneven fingers that grip the spring about 3 coils from the bottom. Used a vise grips (with cardboard pad to prevent scratching) on the spring, next to one of the fingers, to prevent rotation and keep the coil in the proper seating location inside the shock tower. Used a floor jack with a cardboard pad (to prevent scratching) under the lower A-frame and a long pry bar to gently coax the spring (over a piece of cardboard to prevent scratching) into the proper seating location in the lower A-frame. Once seated, I continued compressing the spring as well as lifting the jack until the spindle could be secured to the upper ball joint. Without the weight of the engine, the floor jack will lift the frame off the forward jack stands. I at least still have the body on, but laid on top of the fender to keep the frame lift to a minimum. Also suggest the use of chassis grease where the springs are seated...prevents those annoying squeaks in the future.

[Tim E.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Here's another shot using the same method others described earlier. I use one end of a spring compressor tool with arms prebent to avoid slipping off the coils. Tim

[Steve L.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Here's another shot using the same method others described earlier. I use one end of a spring compressor tool with arms prebent to avoid slipping off the coils. Tim

Thanks all,
This is the way I unloaded the spring. I'd rather use these hooks than a flat home made plate.

Originally I assumed that the flat plate went right under the lower A-arm which seemed like an easier way of doing it. But the geometry doesn't allow the rod to go all the way through form upper to lower A-arm. I wasted about 2 hrs trying to figure this out.

[Gerry P.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I've not done this myself, but is it possible to bend the rod enough to give it the angle required to go through the lower A-frame?

[Steve L.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I've not done this myself, but is it possible to bend the rod enough to give it the angle required to go through the lower A-frame?

Not even close, You'd have to bend the rod about 5 inches. The rod is 5/8 dia. so it's not very bendable. Besides the thread would get all distorted and it is hardened for high tensile strength. It's not your HomeDepot rod.

Again, this is for a small block so the spring is longer than a BB.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Front spring installation help

Hi Steve,

I just had the same problem with my 68 BB. Search the thread "Coil Springs w/ no engine" thread.

I compressed the spring partially as a straight compression, no curve, then "pulled" the spring into the lower control arm and compressed the rest of the way to attach spindels -This worked out really well for me.

Best of luck
Pat
68 427/400
88

[Steve L.]

Re: Front spring installation help

I have a '67 small block car and the threaded rod I used is a 5/8" x 24". Didn't have any problem but the car didn't have a front clip on it either. Why does it need to go through the lower shock mount? I just put the plate inside the spring and use a jack. PT

Patrick,
How did you finish off your spindle assembly. It looks extremely clean.