Compressing front springs

[georgeramos]

Can someone PLEASE show a pic or provide a make and model of a front spring compreasor that actually works safely on a 124? Ive borrowed one and after 20 minutes of puzzling it in and back tgether i cant tighten it enough to compress the spring. I donr eant to try anything less safe than the right eay. Yes ive seen the video on doing it with a jack but eventually im going to want to put it back together safly too.

Thanks

[4uall]

this might help page 2 video and pic page 4 for procedure of compressor

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... s&start=15

[RRoller123]

This pic has the spring compressor installed prior to suspension removal. (Ignore the colored arrows, they were used in another discussion.)



This pic shows the internal spring compressor installed to the spring, with a short length of black iron pipe used to gain access to the adjusting nut.

[focodave]

I bought this one at NAPA and added a 6" pipe nipple to the shaft so it would compress the spring enough.
You will have to disassemble the arms and re-assemble them inside the spring.
It is tight but it can be done --- I did it --- so can you.
Just have patience and perseverance.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a

[georgeramos]

That looks like the one or close. It was the extra 6" pipe nipple i didnt have...

I ordered a compression tool off amazon that looks the part. We will see. Hopefully i wont get completely stumped/stopped on every single one of the hundreds of things i plan to do with this coupe...

[4uall]

you may want to check out my post above, no modification needed and used the exact same tool

[spider2081]

For me, it is better to completely disconnect the front sway bar from both lower control arms. The car has to be jacked high enough for the control arm to swing all the way down. Loosen the nuts on the lower control arm bushings. The spring needs to be compressed only a little to be free of the control arm once it swings all the way down 4uall's link shows the control arm all the way down and very little tension on the spring. I know they can be removed with out a compressor however I think its easier to put the springs in slightly compressed.

Just my opinion the photo of the spring compressed by rroller123 is compressed more than necessary and could be dangerous if the spring compressor pops off. The first spring I took out was compressed about to that point and when I went to set the spring on the floor the compressor popped off. I thought it took my hand off but lucky for me it only tore open my palm and 15 stitches later I began to mend. Just saying now I never compress a spring any more than I need.

[georgeramos]

Jay that post is long and all over the map. Im not sure where the info is that im looking for. I do now understand the concept of jacling the car up high so the spring is under less tension and the tool wont need to work as hard.

Thanks for the help gang

[RRoller123]

Remember that the internal spring compressor won't compress the spring entirely such that the spring is loose while still in position. But it takes enough pressure off the spring to work on the system. This threw me off at first, but when you combine it with the jack under the ball joint method, it all works quite well!

[4uall]

Jay that post is long and all over the map. Im not sure where the info is that im looking for. I do now understand the concept of jacling the car up high so the spring is under less tension and the tool wont need to work as hard.

Thanks for the help gang

that is why I indicated page 2 and 4

[RoyBatty]

I have the same spring compressor.
I found it much easier to use if you cut off about 6" of the length of the threads.
Using this tool on a spider does not require all that travel and the excess length just gets in the way up at the top of the shock tower.
By the way George, If you are working on lowering the Coupe, be sure you are ready for the firmer ride that will come along with cutting the springs.
I am happy with the way mine handles and rides and the feel in cornering is improved too. I did install new KYB GR-2 shocks and it smoothed things out a little, but the ride is still a little more stiff than some folks might like.

Oh and I also just found out a couple weeks ago where you got that Coupe from....
Ima come lookin fer you if you come inta my bak yard and steal such another sweet deal as that again!
I met the seller and found out you got that car no more than 20 minutes from where I live!
Had I seen that ad, you would never have beat me to it.

[georgeramos]

Wow, I didn't know where Ione was, I thought closer to Mark Allison down south. It was a great deal and I feel very grateful to him because I'm sure others probably tried offering more while I was waiting for pics. I really didn't need much time though as I knew going in it was a good deal.