front spring compressor

[Joe Vandatta]

I am trying to find a front spring compressor like the one shown in the 66 sevice manual.
Does antone know where I can find one?
Thanks,
Joe :)

[t-bird-art]

Joe: Other people in other T-Bird Forums have been unable to find one. Don't do a I did and have a welder make one up. He made one like the one shown in the 66 manual and it didn't work because of the bow in the spring and the coil angles. He made up another one with 4 "J" hooks . It worked to get the spring out and back in. When I finished and looked at the spring compressor, it was ready to fail. Scared the bejabers out of me. The spring has to be compressed completely to clear the upper control arm --some 2000# compression pressure. Too dangerous to mess with.

[Joe Vandatta]

T-Bird-Art,
Thanks for the reply. Would you know, I did the same thing and managed to get one insulater (lower)in but the job looked too dangerous to continue--man, those springs are wicked.
Joe

[MHPRUITT]

Hi,
Nice forum for a guy with a 65 just getting into it. My bird is currently in the frame shop getting coils, leafs, bushings and assorted other items. It took "2 guy's and every tool in the shop" to get the first spring in. I was watching them on the first one and they had it chained to the frame for safety. They were a little concerned. They used a long threaded rod with a pipe around it to stabilize it. It was attached to hooks on the 3rd coils up. They fabicated a heavy plate and nut assembly at the shock tower mount. Then they used some additional spring compresors on the out-side of the coils. This alowed them to "curve it back in to the insulators. It ain't pretty, not at all. I'll let you know if they survive the other side. This is not going to be cheap. Maybe it will save someone else some money. I think it should be done by people with occupational insurance myself.

[Joe Vandatta]

I agree, this is a job that takes the right tools and lots of muscle (and courage) The upper bushings on my 66 were squeaking like crasy and after looking them over I found they had plugs that you could remove and insert a grease fitting. I did this and after greaseing the hell out of them the squeaking stopped---the bushings were not worn--just dry.
Joe

[MHPRUITT]

They got the other side done this morning. They said it went pretty well. Joe, I guess your refering to the upper control arm bushings. In my case they were new so I haven't dealt with any noises. I'll check for the fittings or holes however. My car had a lot of things done when I got it. Some big stuff. It seems the guy got to the end of his patience or credit line and bailed on the thing. It changed hands twice before I got it without anything, including driving it happening. Who knows, who cares. I wonder if you saw my posting regarding the vibration?

Mark.

[budaman]

HI GANG
I SUSCRIBE TO JOHN DRAXLERS NEWSLETTER FROM THUNDERBIRD RANCH AND IN THE LAST ISSUE HE GAVE RECOMENATION ON THE FOLLOWING SPRING COMPRESSOR: MAC TOOLS PART #CC622B. IT RUNS ABOUT $70 AND HE GAVE IT THE THUMBS UP.

[MHPRUITT]

Now you tell us! We got it all done the hard way. After all that effort it only raised the front 3/4". However, all the new rubber and bushings and shocks as well as a steering gear make a HUGE differance. We put on a 1-1/8" sway bar from Bob's T-Birds as well. It's bigger than my Super Duty's! Nice kit, bolts right up and no more body roll. Rides nice too. ( anything rides nice though when you drive a truck)
Mark.