Topic: coil spring compressor
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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It's not special it's just the one used internal to the spring. I got mine at NAPA.
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
It's only "special" if you tell them you need one for a 'Vette....then they charge you more for it than if you tell them it's a Caprice!
Joel Adams
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Forgot about the Corvette premium.....
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I bought mine with a Corvette floor jack
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hi guys,
i just got one from Advance Auto, (Rented it ).
the thing is the directions say to insert it thru the hole in the top.
-- only thing ,the hole is too small for it for the threaded shaft !!---
has anyone found what will work and how its done?
i have a 71 and the body is OFF the frame.
is there a trick for this?
HELP ! PLEASE !
joe
i just got one from Advance Auto, (Rented it ).
the thing is the directions say to insert it thru the hole in the top.
-- only thing ,the hole is too small for it for the threaded shaft !!---
has anyone found what will work and how its done?
i have a 71 and the body is OFF the frame.
is there a trick for this?
HELP ! PLEASE !
joe
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Will it fit if ya put it in from the bottom, instead of the top? 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Send PM
macedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
ya know,
i knew someone would ask that question !!!
when i tried it from the bottom i could not get the jaws to compress the spring. ?? i tried several times to get it to work.
i need to look at it again tomarrow !!
joe
i knew someone would ask that question !!!
when i tried it from the bottom i could not get the jaws to compress the spring. ?? i tried several times to get it to work.
i need to look at it again tomarrow !!
joe
I had to take my tool apart. Put the top in place and then "thread the needle" to be able to make it work. It's not easy. The top wall is pretty tight but you really don't need to compress it too much, just enough to make it release from the pockets. and then pop it loose.
All done from the bottom of course.
JimG 2007-10-09 19:57:47
All done from the bottom of course.
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece
(click to see a slightly larger version)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well, if all else fails, and you have a good floor jack, then the special spring compressor is not needed, anyway.
Just put the jack under the lower control arm, where the spring rides, and jack it up until the weight on that corner of the car is fully on it. Then remove the bolts/nuts holding the lower control arm to the frame, and lower the jack, slowly. This is assuming you already have the ball-joint dis-connected, of course. If the jack is positioned right, the whole thing will come down nice and easy. If there is no engine in the car, then this ain't gonna work too well!!
I have seen others use a looong piece of "all-thread", and run it up thru the lower control arm, thru the top hole, where the shock comes thru. Washers on both ends that fit, and nuts. Tighten down on the nuts, remove the lower control arm bolts/nuts, and then back off on the threaded rod[all-thread) nuts. It's a pain, but it works.
btw...I've got a spring compressor, but I've never used it on a 'Vette...it's too big!!
Just put the jack under the lower control arm, where the spring rides, and jack it up until the weight on that corner of the car is fully on it. Then remove the bolts/nuts holding the lower control arm to the frame, and lower the jack, slowly. This is assuming you already have the ball-joint dis-connected, of course. If the jack is positioned right, the whole thing will come down nice and easy. If there is no engine in the car, then this ain't gonna work too well!!
I have seen others use a looong piece of "all-thread", and run it up thru the lower control arm, thru the top hole, where the shock comes thru. Washers on both ends that fit, and nuts. Tighten down on the nuts, remove the lower control arm bolts/nuts, and then back off on the threaded rod[all-thread) nuts. It's a pain, but it works.
btw...I've got a spring compressor, but I've never used it on a 'Vette...it's too big!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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