----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Locke <glocke(at)ihug.co.nz>
To: robert nanzig <rnanzig(at)webtv.net>
Sent: Monday, 10 April 2000 12:14
Subject: Re: front end overhaul
> Hi Rob
>
> I've found the best way to remove front springs without the proper
> compression tools is with the suspension still on the car. I bought a pair
> of off the shelf spring compressors once but could not get them in to
> compress the spring enough, though the use of the proper rootes churchill
> tool does look the safest way.
>
> Anyway, I will detail the method I use, which basicly relies on the weight
> of the vehicle to control the spring pressure.
>
> 1. Remove the anti-roll bar.
>
> 2. Jack the front of the car up a good foot and place solid supports under
> the front cross member, and lower the car onto it. The front wheels will
> need to be a good 4 or so inches off the ground, with the lower A arms
> unsupported. Remove the front wheels.
>
> 3. Remove the shock absorbers.
>
> 4. Place a trolley jack directly under the A arm, near where the shock
> absorber is attached. Jack up the A arm a few inches. You can now remove
the
> lower ball joint, with the spring pressure effectively being taken by the
> jack.
>
> 5. Very carefully and slowly, lower the trolley jack. I recommend doing
this
> from arms length, or positioning the jack so that the handle is to the
front
> or underneath the car, so you are out of fire if the jack happens to
release
> too quickly. Use a jack that you can release gently.
>
> 6. The A arm should drop completely (providing the car is jacked up high
> enough) , so that the spring becomes loose enough to remove by hand. Prod
it
> with a stick first to check that it still isn't under tension.
>
>
> If you are unclear with any of this, check it out first, as there is a lot
> of force in the spring if it decides to exit quickly. Having said that, I
> have have never had any problems using this method, and it is fairly quick
> as well.
>
>
> Greg
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: robert nanzig <rnanzig(at)webtv.net>
> To: <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
> Sent: Sunday, 9 April 2000 08:45
> Subject: front end overhaul
>
>
> > It's time for me to replace the bushings, ball joints, splined hubs
> > and rotors in the front end of my SV and I was hoping for suggestions on
> > the most efficient way to go about this.
> > Is there one convenient jack point or jack stands location to perform
> > all these tasks and in what order would you do these R and Rs so to not
> > duplicate any of the jobs.
> > What is the safest way to remove the coil springs? Has anyone
> > fabricated their own Churchill RG 50D spring compressor? This part of
> > the job scares me and I'd like to know the dangers and how to avoid
> > them. It's funny how you get more carefull as you get older, with only
> > half of your life remaining but as a kid with your whole life ahead of
> > you , you take life threatening risks. Like the time my friend talked me
> > into crawling under his blocked car holding a wrench to the
> > differential while he pulled the wrench with a rope tied to the bumper
> > of another car. Thank God the rope broke!!
> > Any help appreciated.
> >
> > Rob Nanzig
> > 67SV
> >
> >
>
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