how to remove a coil spring?

[Tim]

hey guys,

going to be cutting the coils on the ford fairly soon and wanted to know if any of you could give me the once over on removeing the front coil springs off a 50 ford twodoor

i just vaugly remember everything and figured a refresher course could help me out.


ive got tools and jackstands and ect

now how do i do it?

thanx
tim

[Tim]

i think a large reason that ppl end u heating coils instead of cutting them is not knowing how to properly pull the coils out and and ect. just another thought

[Two-Gun Bob]

Go down to your local chain-type parts store (like AutoZone) and borrow the spring compressor via
their tool loan program. You'll be glad you did! I've seen what can happen when a ball joint turns
loose all of a sudden and it is much better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you are working alone!

[Tim]

got one,

now what do i do with it:P

lol

[chromedRAT]

i bought spring compressors especially for removing my springs and had problems. no way i tried could make the macpherson strut spring compressors do the trick on my 50 pontiac. i DID find some older-than-dirt compressors in a draw in the back of my (and my late grandpa's) garage that will do the trick. thanks grandpa.

[Tim]

all the info i find is realy vauge and is saying chain the coil when taking it out and after you cut them you should nt need the compressor to get it back in?

gona try this tongiht so i gota know quick

TIA

tim

[12packo94s]

all ya need is a case of beer and a rachet strap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh ya that might not be a good idea

[Tim]

as far as i can gather you chain the coil so it done go flyin

pull the wheel off and sit it all on a stand

put a jack just under the lower A arm

then you disconect something??

lower it down the with jack

cut it , shove it back in , jack it up, bolt it together and roll out?

what do i unbolt?


somebodys gota know

tim

[Paul]

I've done it many times with no spring compresser.

get the car up on jack stands good and solid,

with the floor jack under the inner A arm shaft,

remove the U bolts holding the inner shaft to the cross member,

and lower the jack slowly,

remove the spring,

cut the spring,

and replace in oposite order.

It helps to mark the shaft at the U bolts to get it back close to where you started.

Paul

[Tuck]

you wont need a spring compressor????

just take it apart while the car is jacked up in the air and let the bottom swing arm down on a hydralic jack... they just slide right out w/ no PRESSURE once its down...

you dont need any special tools...

[Tuck]

damn 60's style you beat me to the punch

what HE SAID!

[Tim]

the u bolts being the bolts conecting the back- or frame side- of the lower A arm to the frame?

just want to make sure i got this right

[Two-Gun Bob]

I'm not sure how the '50 Ford looks (kingpins, right?) front-suspension-wise but with a '58 Chevy
you first remove the shock absorber located in the middle of the coil spring. Fold the arms on the
spring compressor down and push it up in the middle of the spring from the bottom through the hole
in the lower a-arm. Hook the upper arm on a coil as high up as you can without it looking like it
will get pinched against the upper a-arm. Then pull down on the threaded shaft to keep tension on
the upper bar while you catch the lower bar of the spreader tool on a low coil of the spring. I
try to get as much compression travel as is reasonably possible. Tighten the lower bar against the
coil by spinning it and then tighten the nut to compress the spring. I think that has it covered.
It may be somewhat difficult to do this by yourself (like I always have to do!) but give yourself
enough compression travel so that you don't have to start over.
When the spring is compressed, I guess you remove the kingpin and spindle/drum assembly, let the lower
a-arm drop, and pull the spring out of the pocket. I always treat them like a loaded gun when they
are under compression. Make a note of how the spring was oriented in the spring pocket (where the
end of the pigtail was) so you can slip it back correctly the first time.
Anyway, that is my shade-tree mechanic way of doing it. Just be careful and make sure that your
car is supported safely. Good luck! (and Have Fun?)

[Tim]

do i need to chain the spring or anything?
i was waiting for yo to chime in tuck


so get the car on stands

pull the wheel

put a jack under the a arm

un bolt the back of the lower a arm

lower jack

pull spring and cut

stick the spring back in

jack it up

put the bolt in


that it?

if this is right im still a littl eunclear on witch bolt i pull

--leaving in like 8 minutes

[Tim]

ight gona go for no chain cus you didnt say to and you said no pressure once its eased on down

guess il look till i find the bolt

im out

[saltflataddict]

sweet, I hoping to do the same on my friends 49 ford this weekend. Right Ben??

[Tuck]

just go look at it and do it.... I cut my springs in my shoe when i was 18 and didnt know shit... it was easy... so im assumeing you'll figure it out when you get in the garage w/ you tools and jack!

49 fords for the record are kingpins