Unless it is a camera trick, it looks like the Aerostar coils are a thicker wire than the originals. Does anyone know the diameter of the Aerostar or the original coils? I'm trying to figure out which coil is on my car.
Older cars used a linear coil spring newer cars like the Ford Aerostar use a progressive rate spring this explains the difference. Guys that have cut their Aerostar springs usually regret doing it what works on the old style springs don't work well on a progressive. https://www.hypercoils.com/tech-tips/linear-vs-progressive-rate-suspension-springs/
There's another Moog spring I like even better, the CC851. The CC850 were too low for my '59 with `15" tires up front.
Easy fix and cheaper,you can keep your CC850's and just add these several members have already done it. https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/universal-coil-spring-isolators.asp Use the specs listed then search ebay with the part number for the best price.
The difference between the 850’s and the 851’s was very minor on my 55. I think that I posted some pictures, I will see if I can find them.
Here is my previous post. After trying the Aerostar CC850 springs and finding them too short when used with Fatmans dropped spindles I bought some CC851 springs that are supposed to have a installed height 1 1/4" taller than the 850's. After installing them and letting them settle, they were maybe 5/8" taller, neither were enough even with the 5/8" Energy Suspension insulators. Now I realize that if you are not using Fatmans disc brakes and 17" wheels with a 4" backspace you might be ok with the Aerostar springs, but too low for me. So now I am installing the original springs and hopefully be at the height I need. I will post those results. I am going to include a picture comparing the springs just FYI. On the left is the original spring, 15.75" tall, in the middle the CC850, 11.65" tall with an installed height of 8.75", on the right is the CC851 at 13.22" tall and an installed height of 10.00". I have no idea what the installed height spec is for the original spring, could not find that info. One thing of interest if you consider the 851 spring is that the top of the spring is not flat, it is the same at both ends, like the bottom of the original and the 850. It does not set flat on top like it really needs to be IMO.
I tried 3/4"spring spacers and it is still too low. Cut 1/2 of coil out of the stock springs and it sets pretty nice. Every thing in the front end is new and I had aligned at first rate shop, so it goes down the road pretty damn nice.
I took my stock springs, acid dipped them to get the rust off, took 1 whole coil out of them and the car rides nicely. Of course I painted them, Ace Hardware cheap blue. I still get a little tire s****e on the inner fender on tight turns.
Lame question: How are the stock springs removed? Can a Spring Compressor squeeze them down enough to clear both A-Arms, or do you need to seperate the lower balljoint? If the latter, is it better to remove the single nut on the atriculating end of the balljoint or the mounting bolts that connect it to the lower a-arm? Um, asking for a friend....
You have to separate the lower ball joint from the a-arm (single large nut). Remove steering link on that a-arm. Lower the arm arm to remove the spring. Carefull - it is a long spring and can still be under some pressure. Use your jack to support the a-arm and lower it slowly.
And it's not a bad idea to slip a chain or even a ratchet strap through the coils as a safety tether, just in case it does let go and pops out of there. Keep it from slamming into something in case it launches out of the pocket..
On my '59 I just lowered the jack real slow and it needed a little coaxing with a big screwdriver. There was very little force holding it in. While doing front ends day in day out for years they went pretty fast. The last ones I did in my '59 took about 30 minutes for both sides. Moog used to make a stout c-clip that we attached to the in-board side of the spring, while the spring was still installed. So as the lower arm was dropped down, the spring had a curve to it and came our easier.
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