I got sick of the coil spring compressor fiasco, so I decided to take them out. After looking at them I was wondering if I put them in backwards? Duh. Can anyone tell from the pictures at the above web site which side of the coil goes up into the frame pocket? Top or botton picture? The top pic would be my guess because it's flat compared to the bottom pic where the end sticks out. I also want to cut one coil. I assume you cut the bottom that goes into lower control arm? I realize I should have just got the Hotchkis 2" lowering springs, but money is an issue and I want to use these springs if at all possible. Thanks!
I've heard a number of people post, that you need to not tighten the lower control arm until the weight is on the car otherwise it will sit too high.
I don't see how this is possible since the control arm is meant to move anyway I would suspect it wouldn't hold a particular position once the fastening bolts are tightened.
Is this an urban myth perpetuated over time or is there some truth?
I have the weight of the car and engine so I don't think I'll have to use the all thread rod method, but that looks like the perfect solution if I was just working with the sub-frame. I think I'm going to see if a local spring shop can compress and band the springs to get them back in there. Even with the lower control arm down as far as it would go I still had to pop out the springs with a crow bar. That's why I think these springs are too long. Any one else have issues with coil springs from Espo? I read through the archives and noticed some people saying the Camaro/ Firebird springs from some places were not the correct lenght - too long. Thanks again.
If they are the correct length, if you do them from the ball-joint side you will need a crowbar or maybe a compressor. If you do them from the bushing side they should go in without it. Bushing side is service manual procedure on the Firebird.
The tightening of the bushings while the weight is on the car is to keep them from making noise and getting torn up while you drive. The bushings are not meant to move, only stretch. It's not a ledgend, it's textbook procedure. It might make it sit too high too, but only until the bushings rip.
I have the 69 service manual and it says to do it from the bushing side also, BUT you need service tool j22739 or it will be very difficult to get the holes lined up and get the bolts through without tearing up the bushings. I'm doing it from the ball joint side.
