El Ranchito needs to lose a front coil. The front spring in early falcons is almost entirely surrounded by the shock tower, so a conventional spring compressor won't fit. Is it possible unload the front suspension, cut the spring in 2 places, and sneak the pieces out with the spring installed? My shop manual speaks of a special tool to compress the spring, spose those are really easy to find...Any thoughts?
I did mine using a spring compressor, they worked fine. I must have a different style... You can also unbolt the upper ball joint if they're aftermarket replacements. The factory ones are riveted in. Hope this helps a bit.
It's been a while.... If I remember correctly, you need to support the car under the frame,with the front suspension in full droop. Place a hydraulic floorjack under the side your working on and raise the suspension slightly to release tension on the shock. Remove the shock. Fabricate a compresser by using heavy threaded rod and flat bar or plate to pass thru the shock opening. The upper cross bar (or flat plate) will cover the shock access hole and the rod will pass thru the hole and down inside the spring. Thru the wheelwell, install another piece of heavy flat bar thru the middle section of the coil, leaving the section you need to cut clear of obstruction. Tighten the nuts unto the threaded rod to compress the spring. You can make this easier by jacking the suspension a little as you go. Once its compressed far enough to clear the control arm seat with the jack released, you will have room to cut the spring and remove the pieces. Be careful to cut the springs so they will still rest on the mounts properly. Release the spring with the suspension held in place by the floorjack and reinstall the shock before you remove the floorjack completely. Now do the other side! All this assumes you have worked on loaded suspensions and realize the dangers involved. The threaded rod MUST be strong enough for the job (and the flat bar as well!)and use the long threaded rod "joiner" nuts to prevent stripping problems. This is how I would tackle the job...other people might have a MUCH better idea or some extra tips... Just BE CAREFUL...OK? Don't want no one getting hurt and you are dealing with a loaded gun when you mess with a compressed spring. Keep your finger's clear!!! Bill
I just use a coil spring compresor like this: http://www.jcwhitney.com/images/imagecache/I12002.gif[img/] I got mine from Harbor Freight. I had to cut down the center threaded rod a bit to get it to fit (too long otherwise). It is about 8" long. Keep it very well lubed. I always spray it several times while I am using it. And get one with threads that are pointed (normal threads), not the square (Acme maybe?) type. I had the square one and it started to strip. I have a pair of springs from my Comet with 1 coil removed. They might work on your Falcon. Want them??
I think the way I did mine was to use a floor jack and a couple of mcpherson strut spring compressors (they attach to the outside of the coils rather than inside). Not the safest way but I'm still alive.
that diagram is exactly what i made to do mine. Just remember that with all the weight off the spring it is still under LOTS of compression,if you cut it in place your askin for trubble.take them out of the car.
Thanks, I did a pair years ago with a pair of strut compressors, it was a bitch, and I damn near took a spring in the chops. I might take you up on the offer, Walt, I'll PM you. Otherwise I'll fabricate a compressor like Bill described, I think that's similar to the factory tool. Thanks!
You can use the spring compressor pictured. I did and it worked fine, but clearance is tight. I think I used mine upside down and was very careful about the placement of the arms, but you can do it. I cut my springs twice before getting it where I wanted when I first dropped my Falcon. I cut two full loops, but only after cutting 1.5 the first time and checking it by replacing it and driving around for a day. Do not cheap out on safety when you remove springs. I don't know about you, but I would be out of work for the rest of my life if I lost a hand. And if you think that's an extreme scare tactic, I can put you in touch with some guys who have taken off fingers or hands. Have a healthy fear of that spring. One caveat -- once you cut it severely, it won't need much if any compression to put it back in (i.e. no stored energy).
Super low buck method I did my aussie 66 falcon quite a while ago, in fact 18 years ago. I dont reccommend doing this of course but here is what I did... 1. Raised the front on a jack under the control arm. 2. Removed the wheel. 3.Had my brother sit on the bonnet to compress the spring more. 4. Tied up the spring with (I dont believe I did this) coat hanger wire. 5. Undid the shock at the top 6.Put a stand under the subframe 7. Lowered the jack ever so slowly... 8. Pulled the spring out and cut off a coil with a hacksaw..took a few blades if I remember. 9. Reversed the process to put it back.. I must have been living dangerously then
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