1977 Monza front coil springs

[h-bot]

From: mrmonza_REMOVE_851005_THIS_@yahoo.com


I am trying to replace the front coil springs on
my Monza. I am having difficulty because of the
"cup" that holds the top of the spring. I seem to be
unable to compress the spring enough (with a coil spring
compressor) to fit the new springs into this cup and onto the
lower control arm. I am also having difficulty just
fitting the compressor into the cramped space. Any help
or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, mrmonza


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[h-bot]

From: nickster1_99_REMOVE_983668_THIS_@yahoo.com


Here is what I usually do when replacing springs
on a rwd vehicle. I hope that you are using a
compressor that is a one bolt style that goes in the center
of the spring, where the shock sits. if not, well
things get harder. You can try to set the spring in the
pockets w/ the insulators on the ends. and use a jack to
lift the balljoint end of the control arm. Alot of
times this starts to lift the vehicle before the
balljoint nut can be threaded on. get a couple of
"helpers", you know the guys that watch you do all the work
and drink while you are swearing. Have them sit on
the hood for extra compression. Another method is to
use clips or spring holders, they look like straps of
steel appx 1/8" thick W/ hook ends. after compressing
the spring as far as you dare go, hook these little
straps on the springs to hold the spring in compressed
form. BE CAREFUL!!!!
It's like holding a half cocked
gun. slide them into postion and install the lower
balljoint. after the spring is in place use a
compressor(above mentioned ) to squash the spring and remove the
straps. Sometimes the jacking method works well, other
times its a bitch. I hope this helps
you.
-Nick
p.s. feel free to e-mail me w/ any
questions.
nickster1_99@yahoo.com.
Note- the service man 4 a 77 monza shows a jack w/ a
wooden block on it.


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[h-bot]

From: vegacharger_REMOVE_375471_THIS_@yahoo.com


I did this about 3 months ago...it
sucked...here's what I did. I was putting 80 monza front springs
on a vega....the springs were a little taller and
thus, needed extra compression. I only had the
compressors that clamped on the outside of the spring, and I
couldn't get the spring quite into place. What I did to
finally "pop" them into place was to put the top in
first, and then push the bottom in as far as I could
(usually only half way up the control arm on it's way to
the g spot). While holding the spring there with a
screwdriver, I would take a floor jack with a big socket (half
inch drive, about 3/4 inch socket size...the size
doesn't really matter, you're just using it as a cylinder
to push up on the spring) and jack the bottom of the
spring up through the hole in the lower control arm that
the shock goes through. Doing that was enough to push
the spring up and then wack it with a hammer and pop
it into place. Only a few bloody knuckes.
Oh,
and then I realized that the springs were too strong
and had to do the reverse to put the vega spring back
in. It all sucked. Hope this helps
Chris


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[h-bot]

From: puzwacky2_REMOVE_153916_THIS_@yahoo.com


to do this job properly and safely. you need the
proper tool for the job. the tool is a set of c shaped
clips that are clipt onto the coils when the spring is
compressed with the spring compresor. then the spring
compressor is removed and the clips hold the spring
compressed. once you finish instaling the spring and the ball
joint is tightened. put a jack under the control arm
and lift the car compressing the spring and now the
clips can be easaly removed. no swaring and no ingery
or loss of human life. the clips can be purchused at
a gm dealer as they are requered for r and r of
most gm coil springs. you will never get the spring
compreser in with the spring


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[h-bot]

From: nickster1_99_REMOVE_958632_THIS_@yahoo.com


Actually you can get a spring compressor in
there, it just has to be the right one. this type
compressor goes on the inside of the spring. There is one
pictured in the new mac tools flier. The part # is
cc622a(030-1275)it is priced at 59.30 u.s and 96.95 can.I think
somebody could prob. buy one cheaper though.
Hope this
helps.
-Nick


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[h-bot]

From: mich_southpaw46_REMOVE_952147_THIS_@yahoo.com


Even $60.00 is cheap for a spring compressor if it gets the job done. How much would the labor cost at a front end shop?

Just my $.02
Mike


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[h-bot]

From: CJBIAGI_REMOVE_658452_THIS_@yahoo.com


I don't know if you guys (and gals) have any
Super Trak auto stores near you but they rent their
tools for free, you just have to leave a deposit and
when you bring the tool back you get all your money. I
have used their spring compressor to reinstall my
front springs and it worked well. This is the type that
goes inside the spring through the shock hole. You may
also want to try some other large auto stores such as
NAPA. Many of these large chain stores rent tools like
this to attract customers. It's real nice for
something you may use only once. Clyde


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[h-bot]

From: nickster1_99_REMOVE_748694_THIS_@yahoo.com


Labor wise, I put in springs in a rwd astro van I
thought that they charged the guy about 2 hours.
@
$61 hr that was 122+tax.
just check a labor time
guide for the real #.
-Nick
P.S> good tip
about renting tools!


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[h-bot]

From: wingralf_REMOVE_881357_THIS_@yahoo.com


$60.00? I hope you have a Advance Auto parts near you. Iam a Asst manager at one here in Indy and we sell them for about $35.00


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