Michael Burdick <mburdick@netserv.unmc.edu> writes:
> 4) pry the top of the old spring out from under the top spring mount. It
> came out quite easily, as the unfitted length of the old spring was
> only about 1/2" longer than the distance between the spring perches
> with the wheel at full travel. (It did NOT take off for the ceiling
> like a rocket.) Once the top is out from under the top perch, the
> spring easily slides off over the shock.
Um. I think you should have put a legal disclaimer at the bottom
of this message. "Not responsible for death or injury resulting
from advice taken." Remember that GT6's and Vitesses have a much
heavier block than Spits, suggesting a stronger spring. That you
used your technique safely does not guarantee that others will.
At full shock travel my springs were under serious load!
In the second place, you say "the unfitted length of the old
spring was only about 1/2" longer than the distance between the
spring perches with the wheel at full travel." On these cars
front suspension travel without the shock is limited by the
steering arms. You are effectively using the steering arms to
hold back spring pressure, not a good idea.
The technique I advised (and used) is taken from the shop manual,
and it's easy and safe (assuming a decent spring compressor).
Raise the car to full extent of suspension travel. (Which equals
shock travel.)
Undo bottom shock mount.
Undo the three small nuts holding the top spring mount in place.
Remove the whole shock/spring unit from below.
Mount the unit on a spring compressor. (or clamp on the home
version)
Compress the spring enough (to relieve pressure on the top shock
bush and remove the nuts from the top of the central shaft.
Uncompress the spring and remove.
Reassembly really and truly is the reverse of disassembly, for
once.
BTW, the TSSC sells a wonderful spring compressor that's far
superior to (and somewhat better priced than) the pair of
hooked jobs you find from most vendors. It's a single unit
with top and bottom plates and threaded shafts located 180
degrees apart. It would have been a pleasure to have had
one of these.
- Dan
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