[gilliganspl]

I am installing new front coil springs on my 1970 Nova, everything is apart, I just bolted the lower control arms back on. I was wondering how to go about getting the new front springs in. Thanks

[Deuce]

Many years ago I bought a coil spring compressor tool ... like the one shown ... SAFE and efficient ... I consider it to be one of the best tools buys I ever made ...

I think they are 35 dollars or so now but my auto parts store has a loaner program ... and they have one you can borrow with a deposit ...

Deuce ...

[gilliganspl]

once you get the spring compressed and in the top pocket, doesnt sumthing like that become difficult to remove from the spring?

[Deuce]

Not really ...

You do not use the compressor at the end of the spring. You use it on the next to the last coil ( on each end ) ...

[boatbob2]

hi,harbor freight also has the same type of tool,as stated in the above post,but it fits on the outside of the spring (takes 2 to do 1 spring... im boatbob2

[weirdbeard]

Originally Posted by boatbob2

hi,harbor freight also has the same type of tool,as stated in the above post,but it fits on the outside of the spring (takes 2 to do 1 spring... im boatbob2

That type of spring compressor is for struts and wont work with most old Chevy a arms. The compressor pictured fits inside the spring out of the way of the a arms.

[abuseddog]

We have several auto parts places that will loan you the tools, I agree with Duece, they damn handy to have.

cheers

[OneMoreTime]

Originally Posted by gilliganspl

once you get the spring compressed and in the top pocket, doesnt sumthing like that become difficult to remove from the spring?

On mine I just drop the shaft out the shock hole sometimes it can come out through the top as the threaded shaft goes where the shock normally goes..

Sam

[gilliganspl]

I just borrowed an internal spring compressor from autozone that looks similar to what is pictured above, but it has no instructions. The top looks the same, but instead of having the same thing at the bottom it has a curved plate. How do i work it?

[gilliganspl]

OK i figured out how to use that compressor but now i have a problem. After compressing the spring and using a little pushing/pulling and holding I managed to get the spring in. Unfortunately with the spindles bolted on I went to decompress the spring and the top piece does not fit through the hole in the lower control arm, or through the coils...what now?

[weirdbeard]

When I did my camaros springs I had to kind of disassemble the compressor inside the spring to get it out threw the lower control arm.

[Bryan59EC]

I had to take a grinder to the shock hole in the lower control arm.

Ya don't need to remove much---just enough to get the tool out.

Bryan

[rackum]

I just installed a set of coils in my mustang11 frontend using the same kind of compressor that is pictured here. I assemble the compressor inside the coil after it was in place. After everything was connected I disassembled the compressor and removed it. Just a little twisting and turning.

[boatbob2]

Like i told you in a previous post. junk that compresser and go to harbor freight or northern,and get the compresses that fits on the OUTSIDE of the spring. you woill need 2,one for each side. someone said its made for struts,that may be so,BUT,it works just fine on regular springs too.. im boatbob2

[weirdbeard]

Originally Posted by boatbob2

Like i told you in a previous post. junk that compressor and go to harbor freight or northern,and get the compresses that fits on the OUTSIDE of the spring. you woill need 2,one for each side. someone said its made for struts,that may be so,BUT,it works just fine on regular springs too.. im boatbob2

On my camaro the strut type compressor would not work. I own two sets of those. I had to go out and buy the other type because of how the spring is recessed into the sub frame their is no room on the outside of the spring for the strut compressor to work. I think the nova frame is similar to mine.