1967 F41 Spring Installation

[Gary F.]

The assembly instructions for the standard spring installation says "Assemble front spring with close spaced coils toward frame spring tower" but F41 spring coils are equal spaced. One end of the F41 spring has a notch in it. Does this spring notch go on the top or on the bottom? Thanks for any help.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Gary, F41 can go either way. That notch is a manufacturing artifact from pulling the wire through the cylindrical form.

But make sure the top wire ends are positioned towards the frame spring tower relief groove holes, not the lower control arm water drain holes.

See this recent thread..... https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ing&styleid=-1

Rich

[David H.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

The assembly instructions for the standard spring installation says "Assemble front spring with close spaced coils toward frame spring tower" but F41 spring coils are equal spaced. One end of the F41 spring has a notch in it. Does this spring notch go on the top or on the bottom? Thanks for any help.

Gary

On my 1980 FE7 suspension (coil spring also NOT progressively wound) notch contacted lower a-arm. As Richard already stated, coil alignment is to frame spring tower.

Dave

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Link to related thread....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?126378-Front-spindle-spring&highlight=Spring&styleid=-1

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Darn it.... Mobile view, I went to edit my previous post and it deleted it. Arghhhh!

edit, fixed it and restore the post via computer. Couldn't do that on the smart(dumb) phone!

[Gary F.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Earlier posts said that the spring end should be visible in the upper spring pocket hole. David says that the end with the notch goes in the lower a arm. Thanks for the input.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Earlier posts said that the spring end should be visible in the upper spring pocket hole. David says that the end with the notch goes in the lower a arm. Thanks for the input.

Gary, Yes by putting a bolt in the upper frame horn hole that'll help keep the spring end in the right spot.

But.... the notch? Notch makes no difference. On Davids car it's at the bottom but others could be at the top. As mentioned it was just a artifact of the manufacturing process. This thread explains it all, including specifics from some of the top players in the game.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?92510-C2-Front-Coil-Springs-(again)-The-NOTCH&highlight=spring+notch

Rich
PS My Mobile View on my phone goofed up some of my posts but was able to correct them using the computer now that I'm back from a 3 week trip.

[David H.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Gary

FWIW: looked at a 57 today - notch was against lower a-arm on both sides. Coil at spring top is finished flat (frame side), so it is possible to install them (C1) up-side-down.

Dave

[Gary S.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

I am following this thread with interest. Let's say, just for information purposes, that someone was helping a friend redo the front suspension of a 67 BB and didn't reference the friend's AIM regarding this top end of the coil/top hole clearance until reading this thread. Let's say that this same fictitious person referenced the bottom drain hole with the end of the coil spring. What would the potential problems be and do I have to redo that side? Fortunately the right side has not been reassembled.

Ideas? Lesson learned, btw.

thank you as always.

Gary

[David H.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

I am following this thread with interest. Let's say, just for information purposes, that someone was helping a friend redo the front suspension of a 67 BB and didn't reference the friend's AIM regarding this top end of the coil/top hole clearance until reading this thread. Let's say that this same fictitious person referenced the bottom drain hole with the end of the coil spring. What would the potential problems be and do I have to redo that side? Fortunately the right side has not been reassembled.

Ideas? Lesson learned, btw.

thank you as always.

Gary

Gary

Alignment of coil end with drain hole in a-arm would result in that coil is not sitting as deep into the frame pocket as designed. As a result, I expect that car would sit somewhat higher. If the car was driven, over time that coil MIGHT (BIG IF) work its way upwards into the frame - changing ride height. A change in ride height in that case (with already tightened end bolts), would be like torquing those end bolts with wheels suspended. That in-turn would put stress on a-arm bushing (premature failure of bushing rubber).

You might help your friend by using a spring compressor (Auto Zone) to collapse the spring allowing it to be aligned per A.I.M.

Dave

[Gary S.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Dave,
I knew the answer before asking the question but was hoping there was another more agreeable answer. I have the John Hinckley inspired spring compressor- the 5/8" steel rod and nuts with washers. It is actually easier to use than the auto store compressor.

Thank you

[Gary B.]

[Gary S.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Baby B.,
I did read your reply on an earlier post and the use of the bolt in the hole. We'll take the control arms apart and do it properly.

Thanks for the reply

[David H.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

... I have the John Hinckley inspired spring compressor- the 5/8" steel rod and nuts with washers. It is actually easier to use than the auto store compressor. ...

Gary

You need to COMPRESS the spring so you can realign it. If that 5/8 steel rod is what I think it is, then that spring is compressed AGAINST the frame. Compressed against the frame the spring may not be easy to turn. I was thinking more of compressing the spring until it was loose in place, making turning and aligning easier.

Dave

[Gary S.]

Re: 1967 F41 Spring Installation

Dave,
You are correct in that I am considering compressing the spring between the upper and lower control arms. The advance auto compressors may be better suited to that operation