Front Spring Removal

[fiasco]

I'm doing the front shocks and springs this weekend. It looks pretty simple to get the front shocks out, but the springs don't look quite so straight forward.

Do I need to remove the control arm to get the front spring out, or can I compress it enough with a spring compressor to get it out without taking other things apart?

Thanks,
-- se

[ventura ace]

You should be able to use a spring compressor to get them out without disassembly of the control arms.

Be careful!
Alvon

[fiasco]

I got a loaner spring compressor from O'Reilly. Its the Y shaped one with two hooks that go on an upper coil and a lower fork that goes under a lower coil. The center screw brings the two ends together to compress the spring. Problem is that the center screw hits the top of the inside of the shock tower before the spring is compressed enough to come out. Do you think I'm doing something wrong, or do I need a different kind of compressor?

-- se

[fiasco]

Ended up just replacing the shocks. The ride is better now - not so bouncy. However, it still rides lower than I prefer - it appears that there are 2 to 2.5 coils cut off the springs that are currently on the car. I think I'd like to cut one coil from the other springs I have and swap them out. But at this point, I can't get the front springs out of the car. Would love some suggestions on a better approach to compressing the springs to get them out.

-- se

[redcars]

I just took the left side a-arms off my car today. I don't think you can get the spring out with out undoing a ball joint. Being as I was taking everthing apart anyway I didn't try to. When I go back out to the shop I will look at the right side and see if I think it can be done with only a spring compressor. I don't think I could with my spring compressor. It will most likely be tomorrow.

[nelsonj]

Sounds like a rough day Steve. Sorry to hear the mission was only partially successful. But, you have convinced me not to even try to change the springs myself. I still have to decide if I cut a coil before doing the install, but that is a topic for a different post...I spent the day swapping tires between Bella and the parts car, and multiple trips to the tire store to get the right rubber on the right rims. $20 per tire X 8 tires = rip off.

[ventura ace]

Sorry for misleading you -- It's been so long since I've taken those apart that I don't remember details. And when I have taken front suspension apart, I've always completely disassembled to check out all the parts, clean, replace as necessary, paint, etc. It may be worth it to look at the rest of those parts while you're in there.

But, if you're sure that you just want to swap the springs, once you get the spring compressed a little bit and loose, it might be easiest to remove the top control arm pin. Then, everything should swing down enough to wiggle the spring out, and you haven't done anything to change the alignment.

Alvon

[azruss]

I have a similar spring compressor and it is a pain to get it to go straight thru the shock hole. It wont do it on its own and requires a little convincing by you to get it in the hole. you also need to get the hooks as high and low on the spring as possible. Once it is fully compressed so no tension is on the ball joint, you should be able to take the suspension apart without risk to life and limb. Also pay attention to where the hooks are located so you can locate at the same place when you reinstall.

[Newell33]

I removed my springs last summer. I tried a couple of the O'Reilly rental tools and neither worked well at all. I ended up using the compressors that mount to the outside of the springs (designed for larger rear coils). I spent about 2 hours per side trying to position and reposition the compressors to get them to work. It was a complete pain, and I told myself I wouldn't do it again without making my own tool or finding something that was smaller that would go through the bottom A-frame.

Good Luck!

[geert]

here a homemade 'tool' for compressing.
worked fine, still have my head, teeth, 10 fingers.

however , you have to remove at least something to get your spring ( balljoint, (upper arm ?)...), because this tool compresses the spring against the lower controlarm (easier and safer). Maybe you can use it to compress the spring between the 2 control arms ?
be carefull anyway ( most of the (potential) power of a Fiat is in his (her) springs ! )

succes ! groeten, Geert ( Damme, Belgium) and happy new year to everybody.

ps: love the name " FIAsco" ; but I wouldn't dare, you never met an angry Italian Lady , didn't you ?
Watch your mouth, youngman ( especially when removing those springs)

[TulsaSpider]

I don't bother with spring compressors. The idea about removing the long bolt for the top control arm is a good one! Remove the sway bar bushings. Remove the shock. I jack up the car pretty high, support the crossmember then using a hydraulic floor jack jack up the lower control arm, remove that pin, or very long bolt that holds the upper control arm in. Then s l o w l y lower the jack until all the travel/compression is gone from the spring. That's it! It takes about five minutes. Only trick is that you have to have enough travel room for the lower control arm to swing down enough. If you are careful and use common sense there is no danger of springs popping out flying across the room etc etc.. Re install is just the reverse process.

[karhawk]

Did you actually use this method? I used a spring compressor that goes inside the spring then released the lower control arm strapped the springs on each side to get them out. I tried the jacking method you are talking about and it just jacked up the whole side of the car, off the jack stand, there was too much tension.

Chris
Oakland, Ca.

[TulsaSpider]

Hmmm yes I have, did you jack it from the ball joint? My springs are shorter than stock as well

[81SPIDERMATT]

I don't bother with spring compressors. The idea about removing the long bolt for the top control arm is a good one! Remove the sway bar bushings. Remove the shock. I jack up the car pretty high, support the crossmember then using a hydraulic floor jack jack up the lower control arm, remove that pin, or very long bolt that holds the upper control arm in. Then s l o w l y lower the jack until all the travel/compression is gone from the spring. That's it! It takes about five minutes. Only trick is that you have to have enough travel room for the lower control arm to swing down enough. If you are careful and use common sense there is no danger of springs popping out flying across the room etc etc.. Re install is just the reverse process.

this is the method i used... but i was not changing springs... ball joints for me.... although i did still use a compressor to get out the last little bit... dont think i had my car jacked up high enough for it to fall out.... but i felt safe and with the top arm off i think any compressor would work... i remembered which side everything goes back on.(should go back where it came from..but do not know top or bottom of springs.... hoping they are the same??????