So . . . I got up the ambition to install my front springs on my '70 Skylark . . . everything would've went smooth if any sort of spring compressor would've worked, but there was absolutely no room for one. So here's how I did it: With the control arms installed, i put the spring into the lower arm and then wedged it up into the frame (it did work with a little force). When it jumped into the frame, I should've adjusted it to seat on the top (I forgot about it, but I'll fix it tomorrow). Then I took a ratchet strap and looped it underneath the lower control arm, hooking each end to holes in the frame on either side of the control arms. Ratcheted the control arm up until i couldn't budge it. Then, I took a 3 foot piece of 1/2" threaded rod and fed it down through the shock mounting hole on the top of the frame. Put a steel plate on the bottom and fed the rod through it, and double nutted the bottom. Put a couple washers on the top of the rod, and threaded the next nut onto the top, then turned away until I could fit the ball joints to the spindle. I'll be out working on it tomorrow to rip it apart and seat the springs right, so I'll snap a bunch of pictures to show everyone what I'm talking about. It worked really slick, and I really didn't have any problems besides seating the springs. Sure beats trying to use a spring compressor that's not designed to fit, and for a grand total of $3 to compress them, I don't see how you could go wrong!!!
the only thing I can see going wrong is the rod snapping and the spring launching. Spring compressors have at least 2 1/2" rods and I'm thinking they're hardened. Be careful. I'm just posting this out of concern for your safety. It's hard to remember but I think I used a come-a-long when I did mine.
I forgot to mention i used a heavy duty ratchet strap to hold it; just in case. as i tightened up the rod, i kept ratcheting it up, to keep the pressure off the rod as much as possible. I'm not sure, but you may be able to get away with using a 5/8" rod if it'll fit in the upper shock hole. Really didn't have a problem with the rod stripping out too much, but i could forsee that as being a problem. It's by far the easiest way I've ever done it.
Hi, I did mine the same way. Turned out to be easy, just remember not to stand over the threaded rod in case someting lets go. Saftey first. Bruce
A buddy of mine uses a floor jack and a heavy chain. He merely sets the floor jack under the control arm and loops the chain under the body of the floor jack. Then he just loops the chain tightly over the upper control arm. When he starts jacking the lower A-arm up, the chain keeps the upper a-arm and frame from lifing with it. I am not suggesting doing it that way, but I have seen him do it time and again with great results. John
