Posted by Mark (IP: 192.62.107.213) on August 19, 1999 at 12:00:07:
In Reply to: Dangerous posted by T.L. on August 19, 1999 at 11:56:10:
But if you watch yourself....and make sure the tools are in good shape...
: Those springs can take your head off...
: : : : Righty.. due to the precarious nature of the doner (it might be shipped off anytime soon) I am thinking of having the nessesary parts removed and stored before it goes...
: : : : WHAT will I have to take off of it to save myself headache later on... the doner is a '74 disc all around (with the beautiful 9" rear which I'm also aquiring) and Alice is a 69.5...
: : : : Also considering taking the front springs too....
: : : : ( I want to do this pre swap as I want to be sure the rotors ar clean ect)
: : : On the springs:
: : : If you don't have V8 springs, you will need them. I recommend having a shop put them in. I have done it and it was a ROYAL pain. You have to get this sping-squishing gadjet that squeezes the spring in order to fit it into the car, but once the spring is in place, it is very difficult to get the gadget out. Plus, if the spring slips off the gadget (as it has a tendency to do) you can really hurt yourself. I nearly broke my hand doing it, and the guy from the rental shop said he's seen one throw someone accross a room and broke 3 ribs. Anyway, be careful.
: : Just have to have a plan. Make sure the spring compressor is in good shape. Got mine from Autozone for a $50 deposit and no rental fee. Kept it for four days.
: : Anyway. All you have to do is remove the nuts for the shock, and the shock mount on the top. Remove the shock. Jack up the car. Place the spring compressor in the spring. The threaded piece at the bottom.
: : Oh....didn't explain the compressor. There is a long bolt, and two double armed pieces, one of which has threads for the bolt, and the other is free sliding. On each one of these pieces, the arms are two different lengths due to the angle of the coils on the springs.
: : Get the threaded piece in first, as low as you can get it. Then get the free sliding one in all the way at the top. Note: make sure you grab just the spring and not any part of the frame!!! Once you get that. You will need to shim the bolt about 4 inches. Trust me here. Once you get that, slowly lower the jack, stopping regularly to tighten the bolt. Watch the lower piece to make sure it stays connected with both arms. Once you get the car all the way down, and the bolt is tight. Check that everything is holding good. Jack the car back up, and the spring w/compressor should just fall out. Be careful when you go to remove the spring compressor from the spring. It's under alot of pressure. Just imagine the full front weight of the car all smashed into this one tool.
: : From my most resent experience three days ago, it is easiest to have two tools and two cars. Use one tool on one cars spring, and at the same time use the other tool to take out the other cars spring. Do this one side at a time. This way you can just leave the springs compressed and just swap and reverse the above directions. Works like a charm. Take about an hour. Good Luck!!!