Coil Spring Installation Basics

What a mess! Springs, floor... 

   

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What a mess! Springs, floor jacks, compressor tool, jack stands and a set of gloves that will hopefully prevent me from spilling knuckle blood.

Any guy who's had to change the coil springs in his vehicle knows the potential hazards involved in doing this job. What can make the task even more hazardous is when there's no weight on the vehicle.

For example, trying to get the springs to compress with a floor jack is next to impossible when there is no engine, sheet metal or anything on the frame. I'm always afraid that somehow the spring will come become uncompressed half way through the process, fly out and hit me in the junk! Maybe an irrational fear, but fear nonetheless.

This spring compressor was... 

   

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This spring compressor was the wrong type. Take a look at the next photo.

The best way to do this safely is to buy a coil spring compressor tool. I ran down to the local Auto Zone and bought such a tool, only to discover it was the wrong one. Damn! After another trip and an exchange for the right coil spring compressor, the front end of my 58 Chevy truck was assembled in no time.

Both sides have to be torqued...        read full caption Both sides have to be torqued down with a wrench. When that happens, the spring compresses, but the threaded bolt gets longer and longer. Pretty soon it's longer than the spring!	Take a look. It just won't...        read full caption Take a look. It just won't fit. Frustrations galore. My neighbors must be wondering when this half-built truck will finally move out of my driveway. It must be an eyesore for them, but waddya gonna do?	Another trip was made to Auto...        read full caption Another trip was made to Auto Zone and I swapped the old compressor for this new one. Much better. It fits right down the center of the spring and pulls the spring up into the perch.
Take a look. The spring compresses...        read full caption Take a look. The spring compresses upward, making it easy to put the lower and upper arms in place, then the spindle. Oh, by the way, if you use an impact wrench it goes so much faster than a ratchet wrench.	Slide the spindle and put...        read full caption Slide the spindle and put on the castle nuts--and don't forget about the cotter pin.	I give this tool the Caesar...        read full caption I give this tool the Caesar thumbs up!