Tonight I will be installing the new coil springs. I know that I have to index the top of the sping correctly. Being that our car doesn't have a drive train I dont think a jack under the control arm is going to work to get the spring compressed enough. Am I correct in assuming that I will need to find a coil spring compressor? Any other tips from you guys who have done this before?

I did this on a fresh subframe right after reinstalling it to the body like you have. A coil spring compressor was a must.

The "internal" type which is basically 1 big piece of all thread is what you will be looking for. I "borrowed" one from AutoZone.

You also have to be careful when compressing the spring so that it does not start bending to one side. I found that setting the fingers top and bottom 90 degrees from each other helped. Also make sure both ends of the spring under compression are not pointed at anything (unless it's the neighbor's house :))

If you run into another problem I had, which was abused compressors (broken) from AutoZone, Rick's Camaro's sells a new design especially set up for our cars.

Thanks. Just called the Autozone by the house and they have my name on one. Pick it up after work tonight.

Take it out and inspect it THOUGHLY before leaving the store.

The 1st one I got was snapped in 1/2 and neatly placed back in the plastic molds with the break covered with a bit of grease.

10-4

6?

Funny guy!

Make sure to use a safety chain. I used the same autozone compressor twice and one of those times the springs got away. Had it not been for the chain sombody/something could have been hurt.

It's only funny until someone loses an eye.

I'd laugh if Osama lost an eye

Or only had one eye left... (either the right or left one, your choice).

No spring install tonight. Just got home and we have chicken eggs in our incubator that are hatching. Game delayed.

Cool!
We hatched some bantys and mallards a couple years ago. watching them hatch is fun!

I know a guy that placed a 4x4 from on top of the frame to the beam in the ceiling in the garage and then used a floor jack under the a arm. He said it was a piece of cake and he liked not having to handle that ticking timebomb compressed spring.

Be careful with a barrowed spring compressor from a parts store. The first one I got from O'Reilleys had stripped threads and I did not figure it out until it was in the spring.

We have Welsummer chickens. The rooster on the Kelloggs corn flakes box is a welsummer. Trying to refine our bloodline with some new imports. Had 5 chicks this morning at 5:30 when I got up.

You guys have my attention on the coil spring compressor. I was able to just use a jack when I put the springs in my sons Ranger. I can only imagine the damage that a spring getting loose could do. Thanks for the advice.

The 4x4 sounds like a good method, I'm going to try that. I did the autozone compressor route, it worked but I ran into the same problems, and didn't quite get the coil ends lined up in the groove. I'll have to do it again, but I'll wait until the drivetrain is in and try the 4x4 method (atleast I can push the car around for now)..Those spring compressors all scare the crap out of me and I'm not timid by any means. Always that thought if it lets loose when you are cranking it down, it is going to take your head off, not just an eye... not to worry you or anything.. i guess a chain would be a good idea as long as its attached before the spring is being compressed.

I have used the 5/8" threaded rod with thick washers, trailer spring plates and double nuts several times. I am still very cautious but it seemed safer than the rent-a-junk that I tried the first time.

I also use a floor jack under the control arm so that most of the work the compressor does is to hold rather than compress. It's easier on the threads that way.

Springs are installed and the car is back on her tires. First side took me about 2 hours after figuring out where to put the compressor so it would make the sprint short enough but still come out after it was in place. Second side was about 30 minutes or so. Scratchted the heck out of my nice new springs though! Glad thats done.

Here is where it stood last night. Along with my 14 year old English Setter Gus.

Next up - start on the Vintage Air install.

Great job! Looks like you'll be all wrapped up in a couple of weeks!

Looking good... you should be ready to cruise by the weekend

Almost spit coffe all over my keyboard when I read those posts!

I remember using 4x4's and house jacks to lift houses, and if they weren't perfectly straight they could kick out. As stressfull of an experience using those spring compressors were I would go that route again. I just wrapped a heavy duty chain around the spring and using a shackle, I tightened the chain as I compressed it. I little oil on the threads helps to.

One thing I saw on tv that I liked was a guy using an electric impact gun to tighten and loosen the spring. Seems quicker and less handling of the spring.

I placed a heavy rachet strap through one of the loops in the spring and then around the frame of the car. Lubed up the compressor real well. It really worked nicely.

A ratchet strap, Im gonna remember that. It's probably a lot easier than fumbling with shackles and chains.