Compressing springs

[AstraX]

So I am making an attempt at installing my spring spacers and shocks.  Having a hell of a time getting the springs back in now and I have let the axle drop as much as I can (brake lines are limiting). 

Any tips?  At the rate I'm going I won't be done until the new year.

Thanks in advance.

[binare]

Creative use of a crowbar and lots of grunting coupled with a slight pucker factor. Or you can be smart and rent a spring compressor, I personally prefer the crowbar.

[dubbleJs]

You can rent spring compressors from auto value for free (with a returned deposit) or just but a pair of  compressors at PA for about $40. Just make sure they are clamped onto the coil straight and proper... They are under a lot of pressure once you crank them tight!

[AstraX]

Ratchet straps ftw..1 down 3 to go

[GreenMachine]

Ratchet straps ftw..1 down 3 to go

Have you ever seen a spring come loose under full compression? I would rent a "strut compressor" the two separate piece kind, locks onto springs, it's a little more safe.

[cLAY]

Unbolt the calliper from the axle and let it drop more.

[LEMON-AID JAY]

Unbolt the calliper from the axle and let it drop more.

Yup and the trac bar if you have not done so yet.

[JackstandJohnny]

Dan, i have the spring compressors you need. if you can find your way down here  you can borrow them.

please don't use ratchet straps.......

they are the ones you can buy at PA............

[.:.Dingman.:.]

Have you ever seen a spring come loose under full compression? I would rent a "strut compressor" the two separate piece kind, locks onto springs, it's a little more safe.

Strut compressor and coil spring compressors are two different animals. I have a set of coil spring compressors if you want to borrow them I'm in the northeast.

Dingman

[heep-a-lop]

once u seen a flying spring u will only use the correct tools that crap flys and can frickin' kill..... no word of a lie seen one hit a guy in the chest biggest blackest bruise i have ever seen...

please be carefull...  flying metal is not cool...

[AstraX]

I will clarify...

I did not use ratchet straps to compress the spring, I used it to stabalize it front to rear while I worked it over the lip with a pry bar, they were there more as a fail safe in case the spring did try and pop out.  I have heard the warnings about compressing a spring incorrectly so I was trying to avoid that route.

Unbolt the calliper from the axle and let it drop more.

I thought of that, but I'm a rookie at this stuff and was a little worried about messing around with my brakes.


Thanks for all the concerns and offer for the tools.

[Bnine]

Just listen to clay and jay. You do a 6 inch lift spring without compressing if you take the right stuff apart.

Disco shocks, trackbar, sway bar, and brake lines. Insert springs with no fight. Bolt everything back together.

Apparently it's good that you brought it up since lots of guys here are still squishing springs.

[cLAY]

I thought of that, but I'm a rookie at this stuff and was a little worried about messing around with my brakes.

Thanks for all the concerns and offer for the tools.

Thats why its good to ask. Unbolting the caliper and laying to the side is super easy and you don't lose any fluid.

[vantagetes]

You can use those ratchet straps to hold up the caliper, they are pretty heavy so just letting them hang from the stock rubber hoses (usually half rotten) isn't the best idea. I've done it (let them hang) but I'm also ok with changing brake lines and bleeding the system after.

[dubbleJs]

Just listen to clay and jay. You do a 6 inch lift spring without compressing if you take the right stuff apart.

Disco shocks, trackbar, sway bar, and brake lines. Insert springs with no fight. Bolt everything back together.

Apparently it's good that you brought it up since lots of guys here are still squishing springs.

IMO compressing the spring with the proper tool is a much better way to do it and so much less work than unbolting everything holding that diff in place...?