Removing the front springs

[matchframe]

My frame is now stripped down.....except the a-arms and front springs. The last time I did this, I had the weight of the car helping me. I had just put a floor jack under the lower a-arm, loosened the ball joint, and lowered the jack to relieve pressure of the spring. Now, with nothing else on the frame, I cannot compress the spring with the floor jack.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Can't you rent a spring compressor? It's been a long time since I had to use one but as I recall it's just three pairs of hooks that mount on the top and the bottom of the spring in three places and screws down to compress the spring.

 

[matchframe]

Thanks Bob,

Sometimes in the middle of a project, the obvious isn't so clear. I think Autozone actually loans tools like that.

Thanks again!

Bill

 

[Bob Chadwick]

No problem Bill. As I recall you've helped me on an occasion or two.

 

[MaineShark]

Okay, related question: I need to put my springs back. I've just painted them. Is there some good way to protect the new paint from being scraped right off by the spring compressor?

Joe

 

[matchframe]

Joe,

I wonder if you wrapped a rag around the spring where the compressor makes contact, if that would keep it from getting scratched? I don't know if it will slip, but it might be worth a try. I thought about tape, but the compressor might chew through that, and might leave tape adheasive on the spring.

I hope to get a spring compressor and remove my springs in the next day or so, and will try putting a rag on one of them to see if it will slip or not. I will let you know.

Bill