I was looking around on the auction site and searched for "AMC coil Spring" and found a guy out of Texas that is making a coil spring removal tool for AMX, Javelin, Gremlin, etc. I emailed him asking if it would work on Eagles. I am tempted to buy one so I can work on the springs myself and not have to pay someone. I'm toying with the idea of putting Javelin springs in to get a little bump up in height and a bit stiffer ride.
I am taking some weight off the front end by removing the air pump and AC components. However I would like to make bumpers like EagleFreek has so that will put the weight back on it. ;D
The fella emailed back and said that as long as it has a lower spring perch that bolts to the upper control arm and a shock tower, that his tool should work. I think I'll take a picture or two and send him just to be sure.
I saw in another thread that a lot of the coil spring tools don't work on our springs, but considering that the Jav coils fit in the Eagle I would think that tool would work on our cars. You could always be the guinea pig Rohn! :)
Most auto parts stores will loan you a coil spring compressor. I haven't done that on my eagle but went that route on my 60s Mustang. It worked fine as long as you took your time and were careful. Good luck, and let us know what that fella from Texas says!
I wouldn't mind being the guinea pig but I need to get the money together first to buy the new springs. While I am in there, ball joints and tie rods will be done too. The more I get into it, the more I find wrong with her. Before I can put any real miles on it, all this stuff has to be done. The rear springs are bad too so I need to get a set of those.
I take donations though in case anyone wants to give to the cause! ;D
Quote from: rohnk on April 09, 2012, 11:14:29 PM
The more I get into it, the more I find wrong with her. Before I can put any real miles on it, all this stuff has to be done.
Sounds like most of us Eagle owners. Remember (as some wise man once said) its the journey and not the destination. And my advice, not necessarily as a wise man, is to take it one step at a time and keep it so you can drive it as much as possible. I've done those projects where one thing leads to another (if i'm replacing this, I might as well do that, and if i'm doing that, i should replace the other thing) and its real easy to lose interest that way. I always enjoy working on my old cars, but I like driving them better! Good luck!
Sure thing Casper. I'm not sure when I'll get started on removing it but when I do it's yours for the price of shipping and whatever you think it is worth to you. Is there something I can do with it before I take it off to test it? I know it isn't charged, but there is no noise from it while the engine is running.
Thanks for the kind words Van. My plan is to tackle one item and do the "why not's" that go with it and then drive it a little and see how the project progresses. Right now I want to get all the trim off the exterior to find rusted areas and get all that patched up. Then a light buffing, paint touch-up and decisions on what trim goes back on.
Then some engine work to remove the air pump and possibly AC delete.
All in good time!
Yep, a little bit at a time is the way to go. Nothing sadder than somebody tearing their car apart to fix everything, then not having the time or $$ to put it back together.
Ok Casper. Give me a couple of days to get to it. I have the car on ramps right now so I can clean, inspect the undercarriage and fix a fuel leak. I should have that done by tonight and be ready to bring it back down tomorrow.
I asked the same question on the spring compressor from the guy in Texas, he replied NO, I don't think he even knows what an Eagle is or was confused with the Mitsubishi eagles!
I got my compressor from someone back east that was referred to on this forum, a little less $$, I haven't used it yet.
I'm wondering the same, Casper.
Quote from: mr.mindless on April 11, 2012, 09:52:04 AM
I'm wondering the same, Casper.
regular sping compressors work fine. i have no idea why it would not work. i have removed springs on eagles more times than i can remember. either putting in new springs or spring spacers or some off the wall lift idea.
It's called ROOM. You'll see when you try to use a strut spring compressor. I tried the samething when I had mine, finally made my own out of truck spring u-bolts, the long ones, heavy duty trucks
i bought the 50 dollar set from the local parts store. had to cut one down for room on the back side but other then that they work perfect
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt128/Standup650/IMG_0392.jpg)
what I have is what Standup pictured. I don't trust the clamp type....
I also use a ratchet strap around the clamps and spring. probably don't need to but a buddy of mine has what he calls a "spring cannon" witch is a old chevy coil spring and some neat fab work around it (i wont post pics or describe further because this thing is dangerous!!) and what i have seen this thing do just on spring power makes me very very nervous about the landmine that is a compressed spring.
Mr.Mindless,
Did you have to cut one down? I guess i could have not but it fits better with it cut.
Be careful you lube the threads on those parts store compressors. The number of times people have tried to return them after galling the threads (no lube = no warranty) and one snapped off, releasing a Rambler spring through his fender! (after I personally warned him NOT to use this kind for his car)
I've never done springs on an Eagle, picked that up for my Jetta McPhearson struts and it worked fine there in similarly tight quarters
Here is what i use in action
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/mudkicker715/eagle86/Dcfc0013-3.jpg)
I was so worried I got the wrong springs for mine. I compared the ones I had (thought they were from the '81 wagon I parted a couple years ago) to the new ones and they were bigger around so I thought I got full size car ones by mistake, but I didn't, so I'm stoked! They were ordered for '78 Concord wagon with V8 and AC as those had the highest spring rate/free standing size.
The best/cheapest spring compressor for the job is the one that fits down the center with one long bolt. I got mine at Advance Auto. It's still a tight fit, but it holds strong when compressed and you can use an impact wrench (lightly) with extension from up top. Otherwise, it will take forever turning the compressor(s) with a wrench, and most ratchets won't fit.
The strut compressors will need to be cut down to work correctly, as stated already, but I find them much more dangerous. I tried them the first time because I had some already, and they slid loose multiple times, mostly releasing the spring. The spring will also be extremely difficult to put back in place with these, so I would suggest not using them.
The more expensive single action compressor, such as the one at Harbor Freight Tools, works also, but can be kind of annoying. Probably the best option, although they are very cheaply made.
No matter what you do, be sure to lubricate the compressor threads with PB blaster or any similar oil. The job isn't too difficult, as long as your shocks, perches, and control arms aren't rust welded together... like mine were ::)
Quote from: Baskinator on May 02, 2012, 04:16:42 PMbe sure to lubricate the compressor threads with PB blaster or any similar oil.
For that job you should really use grease, not light oil...
My spring compressor is about 40 years old and always gets oiled with ATF and recently PB'Laster. Just do NOT run them dry!