In need of spring guidance

I_like_turtlez

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I'm sure this has been brought up 80 times but I'm genuinely at a loss here, gentleman. This is humiliating.

I've installed dozens of springs from cars to 3/4 trucks, it's always been doable with pry bars or slightly compressing the spring with a tool to sneak it in it's pockets.

I don't know why Ford made the pocket centerline sit so far back in the control arm but even compressing the spring until the coils are nearly physically touching, I can't get it to fit.



My understanding is these convertible springs are longer length with thicker coils, probably 2-3 inches more so than the coupes.

Already considered buying lowering springs but none of them seem to be "rated" for the "added weight" of a convertible.. I wonder how true that is, convertibles are barely heavier..


I'm also sure at least a few of you have been in this situation, what would you recommend?
(I was a foxbody spring virgin until this 15.6" dildo-spring took me by surprise, feels like I'm in prison..)o_O:cautious:
 

MG0h3

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Are you lowering the control arm with a floor jack? Gotta unbolt the ball joint with the jack holding pressure. Thats how always take them out as well


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I_like_turtlez

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Are you lowering the control arm with a floor jack? Gotta unbolt the ball joint with the jack holding pressure. Thats how always take them out as well


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It's all apart with the springs out, replaced the lower control arms to address bad ball joints & bushings. Only thing left in place are the struts.

They're the factory convertible springs, they measure over 15" uncompressed.
When I popped the first spring out I couldn't believe how long it was for such a small car(that's what she said).


Here's a photo of the tool I normally use for springs, there has to be a trick to these infamous foxbody setups I'm not aware of.

xjL.jpg
 

MG0h3

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Gotta unbolt the strut as well. I do the top bolt.

Careful when it comes all the way out of the tower/plate, it’ll want to swing out towards your noggin


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MG0h3

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And I never use those compressors.

Not only more dangerous but popping the ball joint and strut doesn’t take long enough to warrant ****ing with those.


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01yellercobra

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I've pulled and installed a few stock springs over the years. They never just pop in or out. I've had to push the control arm down against the bushing tension (rubber bushings) and use a good sized pry bar to either get it out or pop it in place. Even in that situation there's a small amount of pressure on the spring when removing it.

I've known quite a few guys over the years running lowering springs in their verts with no issues. I'm sure if it needed to be added someone like H&R would have had a different spring made when these cars were popular. I'd say it's a none issue at this point.
 

I_like_turtlez

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I've pulled and installed a few stock springs over the years. They never just pop in or out. I've had to push the control arm down against the bushing tension (rubber bushings) and use a good sized pry bar to either get it out or pop it in place. Even in that situation there's a small amount of pressure on the spring when removing it.

I've known quite a few guys over the years running lowering springs in their verts with no issues. I'm sure if it needed to be added someone like H&R would have had a different spring made when these cars were popular. I'd say it's a none issue at this point.
With the coupe springs you can do that along with the MMT-8 tool, however there's a real chance they'll still fly out at you. That tool makes quick work of shorter lowering springs.

With the longer length vert springs I don't think it's possible to jack them back in place, spring tension is just too high.
 

I_like_turtlez

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Cut 1 coil, install, and enjoy your new ride/stance.


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Highly considering it at this point, I've compressed these suckers 5 inches(coils touching each other) and they still aren't even close to fitting back in.

I swear Ford has the worst engineering in the history of automotive, rivaled only by BMW.
 

I_like_turtlez

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Go coil over man and don’t look back I run the cheap UPR ones with qa1 springs


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Yes sir, already shopping for some affordable ones in the front to "delete" these big truck springs. Still in shock(pun?) that these things defeated me.
 

03cobra#694

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I've pulled and installed a few stock springs over the years. They never just pop in or out. I've had to push the control arm down against the bushing tension (rubber bushings) and use a good sized pry bar to either get it out or pop it in place. Even in that situation there's a small amount of pressure on the spring when removing it.

I've known quite a few guys over the years running lowering springs in their verts with no issues. I'm sure if it needed to be added someone like H&R would have had a different spring made when these cars were popular. I'd say it's a none issue at this point.
This, I've done a bunch.
Cut 1 coil, install, and enjoy your new ride/stance.


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This is what I did with my car and Justin's CO coupe. @Red Turtle
 

9397SVTs

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I'm sure this has been brought up 80 times but I'm genuinely at a loss here, gentleman. This is humiliating.

I've installed dozens of springs from cars to 3/4 trucks, it's always been doable with pry bars or slightly compressing the spring with a tool to sneak it in it's pockets.

I don't know why Ford made the pocket centerline sit so far back in the control arm but even compressing the spring until the coils are nearly physically touching, I can't get it to fit.



My understanding is these convertible springs are longer length with thicker coils, probably 2-3 inches more so than the coupes.

Already considered buying lowering springs but none of them seem to be "rated" for the "added weight" of a convertible.. I wonder how true that is, convertibles are barely heavier..


I'm also sure at least a few of you have been in this situation, what would you recommend?
(I was a foxbody spring virgin until this 15.6" dildo-spring took me by surprise, feels like I'm in prison..)o_O:cautious:
When I installed the Eibach Drag Launch spring kit on my 90 coupe, it was a sketchy challenge.

I had to drop the lower control arm to where it was nearly vertical and just get a piece of the coil spring onto the inner perch. Then, I had to use the full length of my foot to push and hold the spring in place while simultaneously using a floor jack to raise the control arm.

It was the only way to do it on the garage floor with basic tools.
 

Tabres

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If the coils are touching just attempting to install them, something is wrong here.

Are you 100% certain these are the correct springs?

I've done several sets, including one on a convertible and have never struggled like you're describing. I've always done it with very cheap spring compressors, too when needed - essentially these.
 

I_like_turtlez

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If the coils are touching just attempting to install them, something is wrong here.

Are you 100% certain these are the correct springs?

I've done several sets, including one on a convertible and have never struggled like you're describing. I've always done it with very cheap spring compressors, too when needed - essentially these.
The LCA's are original and the whole front end needed redone, 60,xxx mileage car. So I'm 99% certain the springs had never been out before.

I don't think it's physically possible to install Cobra vert OEM springs without compressing them first, they measure 15.2" in length and have the coil thickness of a 1/2 ton truck.


I don't know how Ford put them in at the factories but what we do know is they used springs longer than needed, given the 4x4 F-250 wheel gap.

98% of OEM springs today can be put in by simply prying the LCA down and sliding it in by hand, I heard the sn95 was infamous but this is beyond comical.



Really didn't want to lower the car but I'll just order some coilovers or lowering springs so I don't have this fight again.
 
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