Does anyone know where I could find a tool to compress the front coil springs. It seems that the tool needs to compress the coil using a rod on the inside of the coils. I have a few tools which clamp on the outside of a coil, but that does not allow me to mount the coils (no room). References or partcodes and brand would allow me to order this tool.
I posted this info on another thread but its worth repeating: A word about internal spring compressors. For our application The one like KD makes need to be reversed to work properly. The screw end needs to go on top and the free spinning end needs to be on the bottom. Once you reverse them you need to put another nut on the bottom and either weld or pin it so it cant back out. Next you can shave about 1/8" off and round the outer edges on the upper hooks . It will drop in and come out much easier if you do this. Lastly, before you drop it in or are trying to remove it, slide the lower hooks up until the hooks are past the lower nut and compress them against the screw and hold them in place with a zip tie. THese thing will make use of these compressors much easier. Oh, one more thing, dont use impact wrenches. The extreme pressure and hammering effect will rip the threads out at the worst time. Voice of experenced here. I have the KD 3450. You should be able to order it through any automotive source.
gert, do a search at the top...spring compressor...scroll down to where i posted a pic. of the compressor i used...frank...
I remember rebuilding my 73 grabbers front end .. loop a chain thru the spring and get the gnarliest spring compressor you can find 2 if you have to the springs are long and heavy we had to use truck spring compressors on mine to get them off
Then, after you have taken the front springs out, cut off just enough so that you can slip them in and out WITHOUT spring compressors in the future... I was lucky to find that after I took mine out and cut 1-1/2 coils out to drop the front, I could just barely get them back in without compressing them, by slipping the top in, then spinning the entire spring counter clockwise until it sort of unscrewed itself into the spring perch. It will press against the perch and compress itself that last 1/2" or so, and then pop right into place. To remove, just spin counter clockwise about 1/3 turn and it pops right out. Good thing, too, since I have had those springs out about 6 times since I cut them down, for various odd jobs...
