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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
I have McGaughy drop springs and I can't get them compressed enough to install into my POL tubular lower control arms.... I tried using a compressor with the pickle fork looking part but it won't fit fully into the dropped tighter coils....so it won't align in the middle of the coil.......... is there a different type of compressor? I'm thinking of making my own somehow but not sure how.
The reason I need to get these in ASAP is that I need to get the truck as a roller so I can get it out of the garage by June 9th for my daughter's grad party..... I really need to get these installed fast. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
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RIZ ![]() 81 C10 short box 82 K5 Blazer |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Regina, SK, Canada
Posts: 622
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.you
Have you tried using the weight of the vehicle? That was an old school technique, hyper extend the suspension, stuff the spring in place and slowly use the weight of the vehicle to compress it enough to assemble everything.
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1979 Chevy Dually Crew 4X4 454, D60 Tru-trac, D70 Detroit Locker, 3.73, 4L80E/NP205 1971 GMC 3/4 Ton 4X4 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.you
its just a bare frame right now so I'm sure that's part of the problem......not sure how to compress it enough to try that???
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RIZ ![]() 81 C10 short box 82 K5 Blazer |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Posts: 459
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
Use a ratchet strap or two and do it the way bilfman was talking.
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
Quote:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
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#6 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,861
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
I used my 10-ton press. Large plate, then compressed them...held them together with ratchet straps. until the spindles/ball-joints were secured.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#7 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,724
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
I always just pushed down on the a-arm while pushing in the spring. Using a lowered spring it shouldn't be a problem at all.
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: norwalk,iowa,usa
Posts: 921
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
sometimes a chain can be attached to a floor jack -under the lower "a" frame & looped up over the upper "a " frame ?or hook the chain somewhere on the frame & that will hole the vehicle -while you jack the lower arm up?? watch for flying parts if something comes loose ?? its should be relative easy ?? good luck !
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 738
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
Use a standard coil spring compressor but take one of the ends off. Feed the threaded end through the shock tower upper mount and other end with fingers to spring. Of course you would use a bolt with some washers on shock mounted side. Slowly tighten bolt and compress spring, it worked for a guy who was working with on a Trans AM
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79 Chevy 2wd BIG10 350 TH400 |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 738
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
Opps I just forgot a TA and truck shocks mount different
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79 Chevy 2wd BIG10 350 TH400 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Aledo, Texas
Posts: 803
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
Worked fine for me
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84 step side 87 swb |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
I'm trying to compress the drop spring so I can install it.
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RIZ ![]() 81 C10 short box 82 K5 Blazer |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Aledo, Texas
Posts: 803
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
That's what the Jack does
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84 step side 87 swb |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Aledo, Texas
Posts: 803
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
This is with no weight on wheels. Disconnect lower ball joint, set spring in pocket. Use strap setup and jack to compress spring.
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84 step side 87 swb |
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#15 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,724
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
That's the confusing part. Every drop spring on multiple trucks that I've installed were shorter then oem and so didn't need any compression to be installed. You literally push down on lower a arm slightly and set spring in.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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Re: how to compress drop springs??? Need help badly.
I keep hearing that but the springs still won't go in as I do just that. They keep sliding out of the lower control arm pockets.
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RIZ ![]() 81 C10 short box 82 K5 Blazer |
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