how on earth to install new springs?

[BerniniCaCO3]

Alright, got my new cargo coils in last week. Went to put them in today.
First time I've done this, but it seemed to make sense:

instead of putting the jack stands on the differential axle, I put them on the frame, letting the differential hang down.
The theory was that after I took out the shocks, the differential would drop to the ground and the springs would just fall out
Not so easy.
Seems like the control arms hold it back up, compressing the springs.
I did manage to get the old ones out with a couple prybars.
But the new ones in... couldn't manage it.

I did borrow from pepboys a spring compressor, however, they (and some preliminary online reading) only mentioned using ONE spring compressor.
With coils that are over 5" wide, if I compress one side, then the other just gets longer! Doesn't help a bit, really.
Do I need two compressors, one clamp on either side? Hopefully the two of them will fit alright in that space, and be easy to remove once i have the spring in.

Another thought is to undo the control arms...

Any other ideas?
I kinda needed my car back today, hahaha, but I suppose I can borrow a car for class tomorrow morning... but I DO need to get these new springs in tomorrow afternoon or I'm a touch screwed!

Thanks so much!
-Bernard

[1990LTD]

don't need a compressor for rear springs at all. it was a two person job for me, while the frame is securely on stands put a jack under the axle shaft on the opposite side (as far away as possible) and jack it up until it pushed the other side down far enough so you have enough room to push the spring in there.


also: pry bar them back in too

[87gtVIC]

You didnt remove the tires did ya? What you d is this...one guys awaits underneath the car while another puts a a stiff pry bar underneath the frame and above the tire in the rear wheel well. While this guys pushes down on the tire then you have to jamb the spring in the perch. Then do the other side. Not a one person job with wagon springs.

[1990LTD]

I took both wheels off to install mine, did the shocks at the same time. Had to tape the spring insulators on to the coil so they'd stay in place while we wrenched the spring around getting it in. Didn't damage the insulators at all though!

[1990LTD]

heh, and the mechanic that was the 2nd man in this job besides myself recalled the days when our cars were quite common and how much he loathed seeing one come in to the shop for rear shocks.

[Piece-it pete]

don't need a compressor for rear springs at all. it was a two person job for me, while the frame is securely on stands put a jack under the axle shaft on the opposite side (as far away as possible) and jack it up until it pushed the other side down far enough so you have enough room to push the spring in there.


also: pry bar them back in too

X2, but without the second person

Pete

[1990LTD]

I stuck the jack under the drum on one side actually but in retrospect it probably wasn't a brilliant idea, since I don't know if the drum could distort or not. It didn't...but do as everyone else says, not as I do.

[pantera77]

I just stuff a big pry bar in once the shocks were unbolted.


But then there's always the cheat mode:
Take a generic scissor/spare tire/bottle jack and wedge it between the axle and frame.
Jack until spring falls out.
Put new spring in.
Release jack.

[P72Ford]

Or.

Raise the rear of the car, support the frame in front of the rear wheels with stands, and let the axle droop. Then stick your floor jack under one of the tires, and raise it up, lowering the opposite side. Do the same on both sides, and you're good to go.

[BerniniCaCO3]

Now that several of you have mentioned it:
I DID try raising the opposite side last night, and funny thing, the one side just went up also!
I might try the bottle jack idea. Would have been nice if raising the other side lowered the one side, have no idea why it didn't work....

[BerniniCaCO3]

Or, the 2nd guy with the prybar idea-- it'll be easier than mounting a jack securely in there.

[87gtVIC]

All you need s a semi strong individual to hang on the pry bar that is wedged underneath the frame and resting against the wheel. That will give you enough room to just get the spring in with some coercion.

[Piece-it pete]

Is it a wagon? All 4 panthers I've done, cargo were shorter than stock, I had to keep monkeying back and forth between the springs and the jack to be sure they seated properly.

Pete

[BerniniCaCO3]

Yup, it's a wagon.
Got 'em on in minutes with a friend. I don't have it jacked up high enough to be able to press on the tire very much, just a very little clearance, but I'd removed the tires already anyway and just pressed on the drum!

The wagon cargo coils are the very same height as the stock wagon coils-- unless, my 20yr old coils USED To be taller and have just sagged that much!!

Oh, and the sensatrac shocks I'd ordered I decided to try putting on-- but the springs built in contact the coil springs behind them! So that answers that question, returning them anyway. They got poor reviews from you guys, so I feel better anyway Put my $90 into, well, 3 weeks of gasoline.

[87gtVIC]

yay!