[kengavaza]

IS IT POSSIBLE TO INSTALL THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WITH THE LOWER A ARM INSTALLED?

 

[Triple dizzle]

Welcome to DC. I’d say yes but not 100% sure. I’ve done it on other models. Just make sure to put a floor jack under the lower a arm when you brake the ball joint loose. Then stand to one side and slowly lower the jack. Just in case the spring decides to eject. Usually it won’t but you don’t want to be in the way if it does. Someone else might jump in and correct if I’m wrong.

 

[kengavaza]

I'm installing and trying to find a method of installation without removing the lower control arm.

 

[Triple dizzle]

How’d you get them out?

 

[Triple dizzle]

I’ve taken them out of a Falcon to replace a control arm and put them back in but not a corvette. There was a enough room to get the spring started and jack the arm up in place. Still don’t want to stand in front of the spring. Was younger then don’t know if I’d have the nerves to do it now.

 

[autowiz]

With C2 and C3 it is best to buy replacement front coil springs from Moog. They are a slightly stiffer springrate and as such have a slightly shorter height. They go in easier than the factory originals.

Also there is a thing about getting the springs centered in the cup at the top where they go up inside the frame. Make sure the spring is in the middle of the pocket up top when you compress it with the lower control arm.

Otherwise you need or really should have a spring compressor that can go in through the shock hole on the top of the frame and pull up the long factory spring enough for assembly.

 

[autobell]

You’ll have to compress the spring to the almost closed position and that is approaching the danger zone , the compressor arms still have to be clear to seat rhe spring safely , go ahead and undo the four bolts attached to the control arm and use a floor Jack to control up and down motion .

 

[autowiz]

I am not speaking of a strut spring compressor. But there are specific compressors for these applications where there is a standard shock that goes through the center. There are spring compressors that use plates that go in the coils or for cars like C2 and C3 just the one plate in the lower coil and then the threaded shaft goes up through the shock hole and the big nut gets tightened down just like installing a shock but it draws the spring up into the frame so we can safely install the LCA.

Here is a picture of the spring compressor that is specific to this application..

 

[TX Vette Driver]

I am not speaking of a strut spring compressor. But there are specific compressors for these applications where there is a standard shock that goes through the center. There are spring compressors that use plates that go in the coils or for cars like C2 and C3 just the one plate in the lower coil and then the threaded shaft goes up through the shock hole and the big nut gets tightened down just like installing a shock but it draws the spring up into the frame so we can safely install the LCA.

Here is a picture of the spring compressor that is specific to this application..

This...
You can sometimes rent the necessary spring compressor from you local auto parts store and the cost is usually free. Make sure you get one designed to go inside the spring, not outside like these:

The one's I used look like these:

These worked OK, but I like the one's Autowiz showed better

 

[Triple dizzle]

Autowiz knows his stuff if he gives advice I take it.

 

[bunkyg5]

Don't want to rob the post, but I am putting coilovers on a C-4 front end, (this is a home made chassis going on a restomod--a '54 Vette). The monoleaf is just too high--with a 4 inch space between tire and the fender opening. The build is 100% DIY, and I want to also make the coilovers, but I welcome anyone's thoughts. Note: I am 80, and on the other side of outrunning the teenagers at the red light--I have shed several 100 pounds with carbon fiber and frame design along with a 4.8 LS that I expect to get 30+ MPG and give AOC the one finger salute. Probably about 6 months from the journey down Route 66. Initial plan is to modify Monroe 58725 --if anyone is familiar with those shocks. Thanks

 

[Triple dizzle]

Welcome to dc bunky. I can’t help you except to give AOC the one finger salute. Sounds like at eighty you have it under control. Maybe someone else here will have some ideas.

 

[autowiz]

You adjust the ride height on your monoleaf with the bolts on the ends that connect the spring to the trailing arm.

If you have reached the end of your adjustment in one direction or the other and still havent found the joy then you need to get different length bolts.

To lower the car you need longer bolts.

Beware releasing the tension on this spring. Be careful

 

[bunkyg5]

Thanks, autowiz--I can make the long bolts for the rear end--not sure I can drop the back two inches (that I need). and eliminating the front mono spring will only give me about a 1.5 inch drop, and I need about a 4 inch drop. When I made the chassis, I kept the frame height exactly the same as the original frame, but using the C-4 frond end, I ended up with the frond end about 4 inches too high. Soooo, i will remove the front leaf, and try to drop the front with coilovers. Will have to deal with experiments on both shock and springs. Aware that a mistake on spring removal can send me to a new zip code faster than mud slide in California. And 3 Dizz--seems we are on the same page relating to the bartender from Queens! Bunkty (Fivepoint5 on the Forum.)