thedoc
thedoc GRM+ Memberand Reader
11/18/19 1:37 p.m.

So I watched the videos on putting in lowering springs.  How much harder could regular springs be? I bought the compression tool, just in case I needed it.  I needed it.  I have one spring out, with much grunt work, now putting it back in, the dang tool gets in the way.

I have spoken with a couple of real mechanics and they just said it was an awful job.  I only have tomorrow to get it done, so that's it for my day off.  I also posted about my flipping miata's supercharger making noise.  These cars are both my DD.  I will not wait until October to get a car done in Maine.  This would have been at least more bearable in the heat!

I just figured I'd give you all a shout to see if there was something I am missing.  I have the strut off and the A arm is lowered with  a jack,  the new spring is just a bear with the tool sticking out in all the right places.

Thanks Gents!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ PowerDork
11/18/19 1:58 p.m.

I have no recommendations on how to do it safely (I'm pretty sure my last Foxbody spring install involved a deadblow hammer and a lot of swearing) but can confirm that it is an absolute bastard to get a stock height spring back in there- sorry, and good luck.

No Time
No Time Dork
11/18/19 2:29 p.m.

These guys seem to have a way that works, but I don't know how comfortable I'd be using it. 

it's not as crazy as the guy that said he used zip ties, but seems like a high risk method  

Lower control arm method

Scroll down about 1/3 of the page to get to the step by step instructions. 

Vigo
Vigo MegaDork
11/18/19 2:33 p.m.

This job sucks. There are certain spring compressors that will help but many just won't fit into that space. IIRC the last one i did was on a lift and i raised the control arm back into place (simultaneously compressing the spring) with a floor jack, but that makes it sound a lot easier than it was. 

loumash
loumash New Reader
11/18/19 2:47 p.m.

I used a shorter version of this cable threaded though the control arm and the sprng to keep it from launcing out and impailing me.  I took the spring out with a pry bar and installed the new spring with a floor jack under the ball joint.  

 

In reply to Vigo :

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
11/18/19 3:04 p.m.

This is basically the say we do it with the MGs. Done it maybe a dozen times with no injuries. I for sure would have a cable in the middle of that spring to make sure it does not travel too far if something goes awry.

I dont know if the Mustang is going to try and lift off the axle stands before the spring is compressed. If it does, you migh need some big friends to stand in the engine bay. OR use a length of cable and run it under the floor jack then attach the two other ends to the body so that it pulls the car into the jack while raising the lower control arm.

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