C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

[Tim G.]

About 30 years ago I rented a front coil spring compressor that worked great. Ever since then, I've never been able to find one that will do the job as well as the one I rented years ago. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good spring compressor for 1967 big block front spring removal?

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Make it yourself. The guys at CF C2 Section have done this many times and posted pics. Works very well.

Need some 1/2 inch diameter high strength all-thread rod (Fastenal or B7 industrial equivalent), grade 5 or grade 8 nuts, washers, and s bottom section that can be made from a 6-8 inch section of lawnmower blade or edger blade or 1/4 inch plate steel.

If you cannot find, let me know and I will post up a link for you.

Larry

EDIT: Here is one link. There are many if you search C2 for coil spring compressor. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-removal.html

[Tim G.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Larry, I did a search and found examples of what you described. Thank you.

[David S.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Tim,

Be careful with some of the DIY articles that are floating around out there. The rod they suggest (especially in the Wilcox article) is not strong enough. I had this discussion at length with my old school mechanic.

He uses and only suggests getting a spring compressor that uses a 5/8 acme rod.

Best,
Dave

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Tim,

Be careful with some of the DIY articles that are floating around out there. The rod they suggest (especially in the Wilcox article) is not strong enough. I had this discussion at length with my old school mechanic.

He uses and only suggests getting a spring compressor that uses a 5/8 acme rod.

Best,
Dave

JohnZ (John Hinckley) is also on record as recommending the 5/8 rod with ACME threads. No doubt it is the best. However many folks have done the front suspension without a spring compressor, and MANY (many) have used the DIY tools with success.

I certainly support safety when dealing with our cars and with suspension components, but I feel my (and others) recommendations are safe to use. But each person has to make their own decision in this regards.

Larry

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

A B7 Stud is plenty strong

A 1/2" NC B7 Stud Minimum Tensile Strength is 17,737 pounds.
NF is even higher.
I believe it will work fine.

Acme threads would certainly be easier to use. However, they are more difficult to quantify the strength as the alloy is not always/typically specified. Likely a good reason to go to the next larger diameter.
Rick

[Steven B.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

A B7 Stud is plenty strong

A 1/2" NC B7 Stud Minimum Tensile Strength is 17,737 pounds.
NF is even higher.
I believe it will work fine.

Acme threads would certainly be easier to use. However, they are more difficult to quantify the strength as the alloy is not always/typically specified. Likely a good reason to go to the next larger diameter.
Rick

Just out of curiosity, what alloy are you referencing?

Steve

[Richard G.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Steve;
It is the B7 stud alloy.
Very common on pipe flanges and the like.
Most bolt supply houses stock this alloy.
Sometimes the B7 is even stamped on the end of the stud.
This is the alloy Larry mentioned. Others may work, but no harm in checking the strength of whatever you use..
Note that Acme thread can be purchased from Amazon or many others like Granger.

Here are the specifications for the Acme Thread Size: 1/2"-10: Threaded Rod, Carbon Steel, 1/2-10x3 ft..,
Each Tensile Strength: 60, 000 PSI Rockwell Hardness: B70 Overall Length: 3 ft. Finish: Plain Thread Type: Acme Thread Direction: Right Hand Material: Low Carbon Steel Threaded Rod Yield Strength (PSI): 45, 000 Class: 2G Tensile Strength (PSI):
60, 000. Price is Price: $16.30 & FREE Shipping if you have Prime. Price didn't include the required nuts. I doubt very much one can purchase the B7 rod this inexpensively.

Obviously something is amiss here as the ratings given for the Acme rod are likely for the steel and not the bolt at this diameter.
I would recommend purchasing 5/8" Acme and be done with it.
Rick

[Steven B.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

I'm finding that B7 is a chrome-moly and fits between grade 5 and grade 8 as to tensile strength and rockwell hardness. I would think that any of these with an acme thread is going to be better than a standard v thread just do to the nature of the thread angle, although I don't know how they actually compare as to shear strength at the base of the threads.

Steve

[Patrick B.]

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Patrick,

I agree with you that a bearing should make turning the nut easier. Can you suggest a specific bearing that would have sufficient compressive strength?

Gary

[Patrick B.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

Patrick,

I agree with you that a bearing should make turning the nut easier. Can you suggest a specific bearing that would have sufficient compressive strength?

Gary

I used a bearing that came with a harmonic damper installer set, but a small front wheel bearing like the outer bearing of a C2 or a ball bearing of similar size would work. The forces are really not that great.

[Steven B.]

Re: C2 Front Coil Spring Compressor Recommendation

A radial needle bearing out of an automatic transmission would work, and would not take much space.

Steve