The progress on the poly bushing is going well. I do it as I get time. The back is done as well as both upper front upper control arms.

My question is regarding how safe it is to remove the lower arm. The book talks about a chain around the spring over the upper arm. Is this necessary? If so what is the best way to loop it around?

Do I really have to remove the outer tie-rod ends from the assembly like the book says? If I remove the lower arm at the balljoint it looks like it should not matter.

Thanks again

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American Exotic
Owner since December 6, 2002, 1st Fiero

If you're careful (& lucky), you can put a jack under the lower control arm & relax the spring gently. However, if the jack begins to slip or roll, the spring could break your face. The chain is only to retain the spring in case something happens. I have done this around six times & only had the jack slip once. (glad I used a chain) Do you feel lucky?

[This message has been edited by Gordo (edited 07-17-2003).]

What Gordo said...

Springs aren't something to take lightly. These things can and have killed people. Strut springs are as bad if not worse.

Off top of my head I can't tell you the best way to wrap the chain...

You want a strong closed link (Welded forged whatever) chain. Don't use that twisted wire crap they sell for dog leads.

Even with the chain... Stand to the side as far as possible. Position the jack so you can do that. You don't want to be in front of the wheel well when a spring takes off.

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Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. Guess I'll just go eat worms.

Also, you can rent a spring compressor from Auto Zone for FREE! Just leave a $40 deposit that you get back when you return the compressor.

Safety first!

O'Reillys loaned me the compresssor for when I did the rear struts but it seemed like it was made for a thicker spring. I suppose it would work on the front too. I will chain it as well just in case.

I am still wondering if I actually need to disconnect the tie-rod end.

Thanks

quote Originally posted by Gordo: If you're careful (& lucky), you can put a jack under the lower control arm & relax the spring gently. However, if the jack begins to slip or roll, the spring could break your face. The chain is only to retain the spring in case something happens. I have done this around six times & only had the jack slip once. (glad I used a chain) Do you feel lucky? [This message has been edited by Gordo (edited 07-17-2003).]

Huh?? You guys are kidding??

Every time I used my jack, I put tension on the spring, unbolted the upper control arm, and lowered the jack..
..nothing bezerko happened at all...The control arm didn't kick me in the face or anything...

Infact once the jack was down, the control arm had to be kicked down from a standing position,
and then the spring just made a Boinggggg sound and it actually stuck on to the bump stop shaft...

I had to pry it down and out....I mean, yea, don't get me wrong...
...but you don't have to wear a hard hat and back brace or anything....

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[This message has been edited by Seanpaul (edited 07-18-2003).]

When I changed the lower control arm bushings on the front of the coupe, I discovered there wasn't enough room to use coil spring compressors. I got a cheap set of vehicle lift kits. It basically uses two 9/16 nuts, bolts and two brackets to spread or compress the coil spring. Two compressor clamps were all I could get on the spring and the spring compressed a good two inches. I then but the floor jack under the control arm. Once every thing was unbolted the tension was released on the floor jack. The spring expands slowly depending on how fast you let off the jack pressure. Replacing the lower control arm or whatever you have to do is then quite simple and safe. When I put it back together, I used the floor jack to compress the spring and line up the bolts. You will have to hold the spring in place until you get the jack compressing it on reassembly. I was holding the spring in place with leg and foot pressure while I jacked up the floor jack. It looked odd as all get out, but it was effective. The only bad thing about the spring compressoers and expander is the amount of time it takes to install and remove them, because you have limited amount of room to turn the wrench, but it sure beats gettin smacked in the head by a flying coil spring.

[This message has been edited by Fixer Up (edited 07-18-2003).]

On a different car I got lucky one day by not being able to be directly infront of the spring when I was letting the jack down. I didn't strap or chain the spring at all since I was in a time crunch and doing this as my job. As I let the lower control arm down with the jack the car shifted a little when this happened the arm came off of the jack and the spring flew out. It flew about 8-10 feet before stiking the ground and bouncing back up. It hit my workbench and came back and slammed into the passenger side door of the car leaving a nice sized dent. Scariest thing I had ever been involved in and it got worse when I had to explain it to my boss and the customer. I was lucky I didn't get hurt by the car of spring and have always tied them in. A simple ratchet strap or chain through the coil around most of the loops and around the lower arm would have saved my butt, my boss' butt and my job. Tie it in BE SAFE!

Wow!....

Guess I always got lucky with weak springs...

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[This message has been edited by Seanpaul (edited 07-31-2003).]