_Reiley_
Posted 22 September 2015 - 12:22 PM
please please PLEASE help..
Is there an easy way to change the front springs over, or do I REALLY have to disassemble half of the suspension and steering. :-/
and if I DO have to take the ball joints and wishbones apart, do I need a re-alignment or does it just bolt back together .?
T.I.A.
_LS1 Hatch_
Posted 22 September 2015 - 12:32 PM
Jack stands under body up in the air, then jack under the lower control arm. Loosen the lower ball joint nut, knock side of knuckle to pop it loose. Unscrew lower ball joint nut the rest of the way. Slowly lower floor jack down and the control arm will swing down with it. Once it is all the way down you can pull the spring out.
Reverse to install.
That is how I have always done it.
You can knock the tie rod end loose and off too for room, easier to move around, etc but from memory not needed.
Oh My, Don't you post alot
Posted 22 September 2015 - 12:51 PM
There is an easier way.
Take it to Pedder's or somewhere similar, say please sir, can you change my springs?
Then go pick your car up that afternoon and give the man a big wad of cash 
Otherwise, Jeff's way will work, did that on my LC too.
Just be careful, if the jack slips off while the spring is compressed, it may hurt.
_LS1 Hatch_
Posted 22 September 2015 - 12:59 PM
You could bring your car to me and I would do it for a smaller wad of cash Plus you can drink beer while you wait, ha ha ha.
UC's FTW!
Posted 22 September 2015 - 01:11 PM
There is an easier way.
Take it to Pedder's or somewhere similar, say please sir, can you change my springs?
Then go pick your car up that afternoon and give the man a big wad of cash
Otherwise, Jeff's way will work, did that on my LC too.
Just be careful, if the jack slips off while the spring is compressed, it may hurt.
I thought the next step after 'Take it to Pedders.....' was 'Bend over and prepare to be shafted...'
Forum Fixture
Posted 22 September 2015 - 01:30 PM
it depends on what springs they are , stock springs are a absolute nightmare to get in and out compared to the aftermarket springs i have used .
A homemade spring compressor with threaded rod would make it a lot easier .
_LS1 Hatch_
Posted 22 September 2015 - 01:35 PM
I have a proper spring compressor too...but getting stock or lowered springs in a Torana or similar hasn't been an issue with the method I mentioned.. (so far at least, knock on wood!)
Forum Fixture
Posted 22 September 2015 - 01:57 PM
there's a lot of different types of stock springs ( 3 or 4 types just for the v8 i think ? ) , maybe that has something to do with it .
the problem i had with the stock springs was the length , with the wishbone fully dropped it still needed compressing to get it in
_Reiley_
Posted 26 September 2015 - 03:07 AM
Thanks for the input fellas 
after studying for a day and a bit, I think Ive got a handle on how you describe it Jeff.
probably going to lose skin and blood from the knuckles even with the spring compressors, because Im trying to fit some raised kings, but hey, no pain no gain right. ?
And trust me, I was SO tempted by the wads of cash idea, but stubbornness and a desire to D.I.Y. finally won out.
_Mox_
Posted 22 November 2015 - 08:50 AM
Jack stands under body up in the air, then jack under the lower control arm. Loosen the lower ball joint nut, knock side of knuckle to pop it loose. Unscrew lower ball joint nut the rest of the way. Slowly lower floor jack down and the control arm will swing down with it. Once it is all the way down you can pull the spring out.
Reverse to install.
That is how I have always done it.
You can knock the tie rod end loose and off too for room, easier to move around, etc but from memory not needed.
There is a shock absorber to remove which i always do first, and if there is a sway bar the lower nut will need to be removed, Cheers
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