[lt1tyrell]

When I installed the Mll in my car I had the full weight of the car, now it is stripped to just the frame and I need to remove the front end so everything can get blasted and painted. With no weight on the car what is the best way to install and remove these coils??? A coil spring compressor doesnt't seem like it will work for me since the shock in the middle of the coil takes up too much room. Any tips? Thanks

[eloc431962]

Place your floor jack under the lower a-arm, then jack it up high enough to take off the upper spindle bolt. Make sure you have the jack stands under the frame, and be sure that you don't lift so high that you lift the frame off the stands. Very slowly, lower the jack down until the spring is free. Replace the spring, raise, then put the upper spindle bolt back on. But i would use a spring compressor to remove and install IMHO to be safe. if anyway possible to get one in there. JMO You will probably be better off using the spring compressor on installation of the spring IMHO.


Cole

[slow4dr]

Remove the shock and then use the spring compressor. Make sure to loosen it from the top first to relieve any pressure the spring may have stored. The shock has to come out anyway so it will make it easier to get the compressor in there.

-J

[lt1tyrell]

Ok thanks for the suggestion, only problem I can see on this type of set up is the shock holds the the spring in a very compressed position if that makes any sense...I did not try it yet but I have this feeling that trying to jack it up will lift the frame before any tension is released but I will give it a shot today, thanks again.

[eloc431962]

Originally Posted by slow4dr

Remove the shock and then use the spring compressor. The shock has to come out anyway and it will make things easier.

-J

X2 i figured this was a given anyway, that the shock would be removed to get the spring out.

Cole

[slow4dr]

Originally Posted by lt1tyrell

Ok thanks for the suggestion, only problem I can see on this type of set up is the shock holds the the spring in a very compressed position if that makes any sense...I did not try it yet but I have this feeling that trying to jack it up will lift the frame before any tension is released but I will give it a shot today, thanks again.

That was quick, I edited my original post but not in time for you to see it. The spring will more than likely have stored energy trying to push the lower arm down even farther. The upper ball joint will contact the spring and/or upper coil bucket as you loosen the shock and keep it from going any further.

-J

[eloc431962]

I have done it both way's and honestly with a spring compressor , that's the safest way to do this, when removing coil springs on a ford front-end it can sometimes be a very dangerous thing IMHO.
I alway's have use a jack when removing and on installing these type springs on a ford and a compressor is really going to be needed to install them back in, in most cases anyway. JMO

Cole

[ogre]

i had the same problem getting my shocks on with a bare frame.
i had a beam above that i was able to jack down the frame to install the top nut.
you'll probably need to use the spring compressor to get the shock nut off.
and do be careful, those things are dangerous

[cornfieldcars]

Don't know what you have for equipment but I was limited in what I had when I did mine. The jack lifted my frame up as you suspected when I was trying to install the springs for the first time. I got the tractor with a bucket on the front and sat the bucket down on the top of the frame. Then I was able to jack up the lower A arm with out any trouble. Not what others do but it's what I had at the time and it worked.

[lt1tyrell]

Thats a funny story because when I installed it I was at my dads place out of town and did the same thing with a bobcat bucket! But now that I have it in town I am very limited to my equipment. I will have to figure something else out to jack it up against I guess because there is way too much pressure on the shock to remove it and get it out the way to use the spring compressor right now.

[lt1tyrell]

Maybe I will be able to undo the top shock nut if I call a few fat buddies over to stand on the frame.