Best Spring Compressor?

[RRoller123]

I am just about to embark on a front end rebuild of my '80 FI Spider 2000 (replace all 4 A-arms, with ball joints and bushings, new shocks, rebushing the sway bar, new brake rotors and pads, etc.) but I am real hesitant about the spring compressor. I haven't used one and I know that they can be inherently dangerous. Any thoughts on the best type to use? I plan to purchase one, either at HF Tools or online, or whatever. A picture of the best type would be great, and any tips from those of you who have done this would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Pete

[burlybryan]

HF only has the exterior MacPherson type which should work on the rear springs. I rent/borrow from Autozone and Advance Auto as they have the interior style (coil spring compressor - for front) and the exterior strut style available.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/inours ... Suspension

Pretty easy to use and the springs don't need to be super compressed for removal. The coil spring one is a bit frustrating to fit into the center of the spring (after shock removal). I have to remove one of the arms and then reinstall after it's snaked up in the spring.

The rears are a little tough to get evenly spaced on the spring, but it's said that you really don't even need to use a compressor because if the car is on stands and the rear suspension lowered (and shocks removed) there is enough play to get the spring out.

With both front and rear springs, mark or remember the location of the compressor in relation to the spring coils. This will help with reassembly orientation.

[RRoller123]

Excellent info, BB. Thanks very much.

Pete

[narfire]

Likely not a common way... but I used my forklift to compress the springs and then kept them in the compressed state with aircraft lock wire. Slid the suckers in and put the shocks in, bolted all together and then snipped the wire.

To get the fronts out, I had the luxury of a hoist and loaded the front a arms,(bottle jack and 2 X 4) tied the shocks up when compressed undid the shocks and then released the bottle jack.

[RRoller123]

hmmmm.... now I just need to find a fork lift! <{:^)

ingenuity!

[TulsaSpider]

hahaha I just use a floor jack actually

[RRoller123]

OK, so I think I am ready to take on this job. Have new control arms with ball joints and bushings pre-installed, new shock absorber, new disc and pads, new tie rod ends. Existing wheel bearings are fine.

I have an internal spring compressor that will fit up through the bottom shock hole and will compress the spring against the bottom control arm. It is a hooked arms type from Advance Auto Parts.

So I want to sanity check this general approach before I try it. Appreciate comments from those of you who have done it before:

1.) Have removed wheel, disc, sway bar connection, disc and brake caliper, tie rod ends. Steering knuckle stays attached to control arms.

2.) Will insert spring compressor from bottom and compress spring against the bottom control arm, relieving spring pressure between the control arms.

3.) Remove top control arm bolt and remove.

4.) Remove bottom control arm bolt and then remove the entire assembly as a unit.

5.) Loosen spring compressor, remove spring.

6.) Remove steering knuckle and install to new control arms.

7.) Recompress spring to new lower control arm and reinstall entire assembly.

8.) Release spring compressor.

9.) reattach all the ancillary hookups.

10.) Torque everything with car loaded with proper weight.

Does this approach make sense? Haven't done this before and I am a cautious fellow. The compressed spring worries me.

Thanks.

Pete