Well i had to remove my front springs (well maybe didnt have to) when i droped my K-member.

now i need to get them back in.

I rented/borrowed a Strut spring compressor from CTC, but it does not seem to be very user freindly.

is it the right one? seems like the long bolts, after you compress it a bit hang lower than teh spring, therefore will get in the way when trying to install the spring.


i have a feeling it is not the right tool.
I am without car right now, so i had to get someone to pick it up for me. do they have other ones there?

teh one i used looks liek this

 

Hey Warren, take your springs to a shop and have them compress them, and then have them put a steel strap on them to hold it down. Take them home, put then in the car, install your strut, then cut the steel strap off and your done.

I'm sure any shop will do that for you. Those spring compressors are crap, and not to mention it looks like it could come off. I did the samething with my springs and it was alot easier. Good luck

 

Warren I usually just get the car up nice and high and loosen the 2 lower control arm bolts and install the top of the spring first, followed by the lower which usually requires the use of a prybar to walk it up over the center hump in the control arm, but as long as the bolts are loose you can usually swing the arm way down and work the spring in. I can do this by myself, but it does require some effort, other guys I work with usually ask for another person with another prybar to hold pry the spring in from the lower center hole in the arm while they pry it in from outside.

 

agreed. this is how I do them to.

 

LOL, you guys know what...PRYBAR is one of the tools i don't have.
I don't know how i have managed with out one for so long, but just don't have it.

BUT i got the right compressor coming home tonight, so i will give it an try for an hour or so tomorrow. if it does not work, i will go buy a couple pry bars.

Thanks guys.

 

Well i tried the different compressor for 5 minutes, and realized it has the same effects with the rod protruding...so it went back in its case,

So i went and bought a prybar, and gave it a shot.
i don't know what the hell you guys are talking about.

I got the control; arm to come down as far as it would, and i pried up on that spring, but i could not get it to sit on the top of the groove.


Would lowering springs be easier to install?

 

Yup

 

Yeah we installed my lowering springs without a compressor.

 

You need to get the control arm all the way down, make sure both through bolts are loose, then insert the top of the spring into the f-frame, put the prybar in the lower control arm under the spring and pry it in, it's that easy (unless you got like a 6" prybar, because that just won't do, you need a MAN'S prybar to do it). Once it's somewhat in, start to swing the arm back up and it should seat.
Yes, lowering springs will be easier to install, maybe even YOU can do it, lol.

 

If you get the springs compressed and straped you dont need any pry bars. Drop the springs in the pocket with the spindal on the control arm, jack it up to the strut, and bolt it on. Cut the strap once its bolted up and your done. Trust me its that easy