1966 coil removal

[Jim S.]

I have searched the archives and come up with two distinct methods for removing the front Coil Springs.

1) place a 18 inch , 5/8 bar stock in the shock hole and compress. Then place a floor jack under the a arm where it attaches to the cross member.
Then remove the two small and one large bolt from the a arm that hold it to the frame ,and release the tention on the bar stock until free. Then slowly lower the floor jack until spring has no tention. {inside removal}

2) Place A 24 to 30 inch 5/8 bar stock in the shock hole , compress , and then pickle fork and remove the spindle. then continue to release preasure on the bar stock until spring is free. {outside removal}

My questions are theses:
Which method is safer ?
Which method is easier ?
What length of bar stock is needed to release all presure off the spring before it is relased. Ie. How long is an unsprung spring?

Wanting to keep all my body parts in tact !

Jim

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Here are a couple of pictures of our "local" spring compressor. It gets passed around. I've used it. Don't know who has it now, but this type of compressor works great.

As to the rest of your question. I haven't done thousands of them, but I usually remove the bolts from interior of the A frame and drop it down using a floor jack. (Method 1 in your post)

I've used a pickle fork (Method 2), but don't like beating on the car.

Chuck

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Thanks for the reply Chuck,

Do you know what length your tool is ,and if it lasts all the way till the end of the springs tension ?

Jim

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Don't have it here to measure, Jim, but as I recall, the "all thread" is about 2 to 2 1/2 feet long.

The boilerplate metal square is about 6" x 6".

I just crank it till I "relieve" the pressure on the spring. No need to crank it so tight as to fully compress the spring.

When the pressure is off the lower A frame, remove the bolts and drop it. Then release the pressure off of "the tool", and pull the spring out.

Chuck

[Gary S.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

For those of us who are challenged , can you describe the installation of the tool? Of course, a photo would be better.

It looks like the large plate goes under the last accessible coil of the spring and then the large all-thread rod goes up through the top of the spring and tower? What keeps the rod from pushing UP through the tower? Can I assume that the washer is large enough to keep the rod seated?

Gary

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Gary ,

That I can answer .

The flat piece of metal is meant to fit under the lower a arm , where the bottom of the shock would mount. That way you are compressing the spring between the two a arms.

I am still not sure how long you need the bar stock to be in order to release all preasure ,but it sounds like 2 1/2 feet would do it .

Jim

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

The boiler plate goes between the lowest coils where it will slip in.

Then, the all thread comes up through the upper shock hole.

There's a washer on the gizmo. You tighten it up the all thread using a nut, thus you pull the tension off the spring.

You do NOT need to crank it all the way. When the pressure is off, you release the lower A frame, then crank off on the compressor to let the spring expand.

It'll then just fall out.

Chuck

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Oh ! that would make for a shorter rod too !

I fiqured it should Go between the two a arms as it is much more secure that way.

Thanks again Chuck.

Jim

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1966 coil removal

Oh ! that would make for a shorter rod too !

I fiqured it should Go between the two a arms as it is much more secure that way.

Thanks again Chuck.

Jim

It's pretty secure. And remember, you DO NOT have to crank the spring REAL tight either......just enough to remove the pressure so you can get the lower a frame loose and out of the way.

THEN, slowly uncrank the nut to release the spring pressure. Take off the nut and the spring will fall out on the floor.

The internal spring compressors are terrible. I've never been able to get one to work in a satisfactory manner.

Chuck