how do you operate coil spring compressor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 02-12-2005, 01:55 PM

When by autozone yesterday and rented the compressor shaped like a capital "I" and have been trying to use it on my 70 c 10 springs this morning with no luck. When I get the spring compressed enough to attempt to install there is so much of the threaded rod sticking out the top of the spring there is no way to install the spindle.

The arms coming of the threaded rod pivot and when you start tightening the compressor much motion is lost as they "V" toward the center of the threaded rod.

Please offer help and thanks for replies.

cdowns · 02-12-2005, 02:28 PM

you really don't need a spring compressor to install the front springs just jack up the frontend enough to allow the bottom aarm to drop down and place the spring in position and put jack under a arm and carefully jack into position

chevybill · 02-12-2005, 02:33 PM

i am working on a bare chassis with not engine or body on it. so that will not work. thanks for the reply.

Joe67 · 02-12-2005, 02:35 PM

ChevyBill - I had the same issue last fall.

Checkout this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=123658

me3 · 02-12-2005, 02:42 PM

my experience with working with them was kind of like this $@#! $@# $@## peice of #@#@ ☻`↔Æ¨¨+ aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. but ya Lots of bad words does help.

chevybill · 02-12-2005, 03:52 PM

thanks for the replies and the link, guys

**COBALT** · 02-12-2005, 08:44 PM

Some sand bags for weight, or some weights from a bar bell set can help counter the force of the jack...but I suppose a spring compressor can do the job too.

**old Rusty C10** · 02-12-2005, 08:54 PM

when i was doing my truck i had to use that center bolt compressor and make the thing go through the whole spring so itwoulld give me enough room to clear it without the bolt goin through the top too far to not have enough clearance

Rollie396 · 02-12-2005, 10:57 PM

I ran into the clearance problem that a few have mentioned also.What I did was diassemble the compressor,cut a piece of fairly heavy wall tubing that had just enough I.D. to fit over the threaded rod(around 4" long IIRC).ran the tubing over the rod to the bottom so it was resting on top of the nut.Then a heavy washer,then the jaws of compressor.This way you have a spacer and you don't have near so much rod stickin out the top and causing grief when you try to compress the coil.Worked great.

02-12-2005, 01:55 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	how do you operate coil spring compressor? When by autozone yesterday and rented the compressor shaped like a capital "I" and have been trying to use it on my 70 c 10 springs this morning with no luck. When I get the spring compressed enough to attempt to install there is so much of the threaded rod sticking out the top of the spring there is no way to install the spindle. The arms coming of the threaded rod pivot and when you start tightening the compressor much motion is lost as they "V" toward the center of the threaded rod. Please offer help and thanks for replies. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

02-12-2005, 02:28 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	you really don't need a spring compressor to install the front springs just jack up the frontend enough to allow the bottom aarm to drop down and place the spring in position and put jack under a arm and carefully jack into position __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-12-2005, 02:33 PM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	i am working on a bare chassis with not engine or body on it. so that will not work. thanks for the reply. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

02-12-2005, 02:35 PM	#4
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	ChevyBill - I had the same issue last fall. Checkout this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=123658 __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

02-12-2005, 03:52 PM	#6
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	thanks for the replies and the link, guys __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

02-12-2005, 02:42 PM	#5
me3 hart Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: hell nebraska Posts: 115	my experience with working with them was kind of like this $@#! $@# $@## peice of #@#@ ☻`↔Æ¨¨+ aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. but ya Lots of bad words does help.

02-12-2005, 08:44 PM	#7
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Some sand bags for weight, or some weights from a bar bell set can help counter the force of the jack...but I suppose a spring compressor can do the job too. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-12-2005, 08:54 PM	#8
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,287	when i was doing my truck i had to use that center bolt compressor and make the thing go through the whole spring so itwoulld give me enough room to clear it without the bolt goin through the top too far to not have enough clearance __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

02-12-2005, 10:57 PM	#9
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	I ran into the clearance problem that a few have mentioned also.What I did was diassemble the compressor,cut a piece of fairly heavy wall tubing that had just enough I.D. to fit over the threaded rod(around 4" long IIRC).ran the tubing over the rod to the bottom so it was resting on top of the nut.Then a heavy washer,then the jaws of compressor.This way you have a spacer and you don't have near so much rod stickin out the top and causing grief when you try to compress the coil.Worked great. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics



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