Hello everyone. I am in the middle of replacing my front coil springs and shocks. I bought a pair of Muskegon made Springs part no. VP 20, 68-82, 550PSI. springs for my 76 L-48 w/AC, Auto transm. I wanted a stiffer ride than the old worn out springs and shocks were giving me.
My question is that once I took out the old springs, the new ones are about 2.5 inches shorter than the old ones. I am having trouble getting them to fit up in and around the center casting in the upper control arm where they are suppose to be. I have tried a couple of things to get them right and now I am wondering if they are just to short for my car.
Any help here would be appreciated.

Try putting the coil in the upper spring seat first,then jack your lower contol arm up.You will have to take a pry bar and move your spring into lower spring seat.Your new coils are shorter because they are made of thicker wire and will be stiffer.Just put a set of Grand Touring coils in my 73 last year.
Dave

Thanks Dave. That is what I'm going to do. I have been talking to some mechanics that all told me about the same thing so your in good company! I should have tried that myself but, I guess I was just to tired last night to see that it could be that easy. I'll let you know when I get it put together. I will get back after them tomorrow evening if I get off early.

The reason that coil springs stretch is a sign that have worn out. Even if you were to replace them with correct GM springs you would also notice this.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that. I am learning new info all the time. Those old springs were in worse shape than I thought apparently.

You really should change the upper control arm bushings while you have the front end apart. They are on a scale of 1-10 about a 6. But they have a history for going bad. Also i'd give the front end the once over. Sway bar links, tie rod ends etc...

You can also have the springs banded. Take them to a spring shop. They can compress them and install a steel band to hold them compressed. Install them then cut the bands. It works well. Make sure they don't band the top and bottom coil, or you can't pull the bands out after cutting.

Sorry, springs don't get longer when they are worn out. They get shorter. The new springs are shorter due to the diffenence in spring rating. The springs are stiffer than the original, so they are shorter or the extra strength would cause the car to be too high. Softer springs are longer due to the fact they will compress more with the same weight applied. That's why the old ones are often longer, they were weaker new, by design.

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|4/6/2004 5:56:51 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Good Morning,

I just read your message. I've installed front springs onto 4 Corvettes now (72, 74, 2-80 models). I'm not an expert, but I am a quick study. There are a few tricks. If you haven't completed the process as of yet, feel free to give me a call.

Take care,
Dan Cope

Work 800-704-1983 Ext. 524 (M-F 8-4 EST)
Home 706-653-7569

I'm sure you got your coils in.Take your time,watch your fingers! Everyone gave you good advise.My 18yrs I worked a spring shop you do learn tricks and short cuts.
Dave

Well, Just got home and I am to tired to mess with anything but the wife..LOL

The springs will be a tomorrow night job.

I do appreciate all the advice and I will let everyone know when the job is finished.

Cheers!