The Oldsmobile Connection

[lumpy]

I am about to tackle putting new front coil springs in my '68 Cutlass. I have one of those cheesy looking coil spring compressors that are designed to run inside the spring.

Naturally the old soft springs came out easy. I put the compressor on the new springs and it bogged my impact gun down in no time.

So I chickened out, removed the compressor, and let the springs sit for 5 years.

Since then I've heard of numerous horror stories regarding front coil spring installation. Actually they are all a bunch of "what if" stories, I've never actually read or heard of an account of someone actually getting decapitated when the coil spring compressor fails. One would think that the boards would be full of such stories.

So I've got my courage back up and am ready to tackle these things.

I would appreciate any pointers and tips some this fine forum's experts may have in replacing front coil springs with a compressor. Let it be known that the '68's motor is currently NOT in the car, so the old "floor jack/chain" trick won't work. Honestly, that method sounded more dangerous than using a compressor.

Thanks in advance. Gonna post some pics real soon. Later.

Lump

[88 Coupe]

lumpy wrote: ........ I have one of those cheesy looking coil spring compressors that are designed to run inside the spring ........
Not needed. All you need is a floor jack.

Quote: ........ the '68's motor is currently not in the car ........
Previous owner of my first A body, made the same mistake. I got the car for a very good price.

Put the engine back in. Cut ½ coil off each spring. Then you can set them in place, and raise the lower control arms with the jack.

I was wondering why you would ask about such a simple operation.

Norm

[lumpy]

I went ahead and used the coil spring compressor. The spring was a little distorted looking, but installed perfectly.

Lump

[88 Coupe]

Good to see you got it done.

Norm