1968 Front Coil Springs

[John D.]

Any suggestions how to get the front springs back in my 1968? I tried a coil spring compressor, that didn't work, the springs wouldn't stay straight. There must be a better way so I don't mess up the new paint on the A-arms and frame again. I don't have the jack adapter shown in the chassis service manual, I wouldn't know where to find one.

Some one mentioned banding the springs would that work? Any help is appreciated.

John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Front Coil Springs

John------

You need to use an internal type spring compressor. Remove the "hooks" from the lower end of the compressor. Then, put the hooks on the other end as close to the top of the spring that you can get. Run the center bolt of the compressor through the shock opening in the lower control arm and put a large, thick plate with a hole in the center on the botom of the a-arm with the center bolt running through it.

Pull the spring down into the lower a-arm, compressing it so that the coils are solid (or as near solid as you can get). Then, with the a-arm mounted at the inner shaft, rotate the spring up into the frame cavity until you can get the nut on the lower ball stud. Then, release the spring slowly.

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS OPERATION; THE COMPRESSED COIL SPRING HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF STORED ENERGY. CHAIN THE SPRING BEFORE COMPRESSING AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW TO DO IT, LET SOMEONE THAT KNOWS DO IT. A LOOSE SPRING CAN KILL YOU DEAD!

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Front Coil Springs

I removed and installed my 68's springs with my floor jack. I set the spring up in the frame and brought the lower control arm up with the floor jack.
You could go to Auto Zone and borrow their spring compressor for the installation with their loan a tool program.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 1968 Front Coil Springs

I tried the rental spring compressor from AutoZone. It did not work. If you don't have the engine in the car the floor jack method also will not work. Joe Lucia's suggestion will work but you need to be very careful. I used a similiar approach except that I drew the spring up thru the shock tower so that it was always attached to the car. You need a quality ACME thread rod grade 8 and a piece of plate steel for this. Threaded rod from LOWES is definitely not strong enough. After compressing the spring in the spring mount simply rotate the lower arm into position and attach the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. I have some pictures of the tool I had made for this project if you want them. AGAIN, THIS IS A DANGEROUS JOB. THE SPRING FORCES ARE DEADLY!!!!

[John D.]

Re: 1968 Front Coil Springs

Steve:

Did you reinforce the shock tower before you drew the spring upwards? I have a high quality snap-on internal spring compressor if I drill a hole through a steel plate, and use that on top of the shock mount and draw it upwards it sounds like it should work. The spring is about 16 inches long if I can draw it up to about 12 inches then the lower a-arm should line up.

I would like to see a photo or two.

Thanks for the advice, John

[Philip Whitaker Member# 2024]

Re: 1968 Front Coil Springs

John,

I have the same Snap-On spring compressor and have been removing and replacing the springs on my 64 with no difficulty. I cut a thin slice off of a piece of pipe to fit over the flange that excepts the rubber bushing on the frame where the shock mounts, so that the spring compressor would not distort it. I then put a plate on top of that and then the compressor. I only compressed the spring enough to hold it in the spring tower tightly. I then tied a rope to the second from the bottom coil and pulled it back under the car toward the hanging lower control arm so as to align it in the pocket of the arm as I lifted the arm with a floor jack. Once the spring is in the lower pocket you can simply jack the arm up until you can reattach the upper ball joint. Be sure and tie a safety rope or chain to the spring. Dealing with a compressed spring is dangerous.

Hope this helps. If you want clearer instructions, email me direct. Phil

[John D.]

Thanks to all for the help!!!!

Thanks to all:

I just got the passenger side on using 1/2 of a Snap-On spring compressor, a piece of 3/4" pipe cut 7/8" long and the two 3/16" thick washers from the spring compressor. I lined up the coil in the tower, inserted the compressor through the shock hole, tightened it up. I put a piece of high strength chain through the 3rd coil from the bottom and secured it around the frame prior to tightening
the spring compressor. I attached the lower a-arm to the frame, put a floor jack under it to hold it in position and put a little up pressure on the a-arm. I then gave the spring a small push inwards and it popped into the lower a-arm. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for the advice, John