help frontsprings removal

[spivvy]

anybody got any ideas about getting the front springs off.
I have tried 2 different type of spring clamps and i can't get them through the coils as they are so badly compressed .tried them on but still no joy
so i am starting to get a bit
[url]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.bolards/tvr/spring.html[/url]

[mickypee]

When I replaced some springs for a friend of mine a couple of months ago, the same thing had happened.I took a gentle delicate solution in the form of a 9" angle grinder and cut the spring in 2 places.The whole job probably took 5 mins.No damage to the shock or my knuckles.

[GreenV8S]

Most of the spring compressors you can buy are designed for struts, which have much bigger thicker springs. Most of these are totally unsuitable for coilover dampers, the hooks are way to thick to go between the coils and they are designed for a much bigger spring diameter so it is difficult to get both hooks to engage properly. I've found two that work. One is a strut spring compressor which is folded from 1/4" thick plate. This just about fits, although its a struggle to get enough travel on it since the top third of the spring is normally coil-bound, and its only possible to engage one hook on each end. The other only has one hook at each end, and the hooks are cast. I've carefully filed down the hooks so they will just barely fit between the coils with a bit of friendly pursuasion. Neither of these are really right for the job and make it quite traumatic - but possible. A better solution would be to use a compressor designed for these springs. The only ones I've seen are the lever type which are quite expensive (which is why I didn't buy one). Maybe you will have more success finding one.

Your other option is to send the whole unit away and get a professional to fit it (for example, most TVR dealers will have the right kit and probably do it in ten minutes).

I don't have this problem any more because the springs I run now are so stiff they have virtually no preload!

[spivvy]

GreenV8S said:

Most of the spring compressors you can buy are designed for struts, which have much bigger thicker springs. Most of these are totally unsuitable for coilover dampers, the hooks are way to thick to go between the coils and they are designed for a much bigger spring diameter so it is difficult to get both hooks to engage properly. I've found two that work. One is a strut spring compressor which is folded from 1/4" thick plate. This just about fits, although its a struggle to get enough travel on it since the top third of the spring is normally coil-bound, and its only possible to engage one hook on each end. The other only has one hook at each end, and the hooks are cast. I've carefully filed down the hooks so they will just barely fit between the coils with a bit of friendly pursuasion. Neither of these are really right for the job and make it quite traumatic - but possible. A better solution would be to use a compressor designed for these springs. The only ones I've seen are the lever type which are quite expensive (which is why I didn't buy one). Maybe you will have more success finding one. Your other option is to send the whole unit away and get a professional to fit it (for example, most TVR dealers will have the right kit and probably do it in ten minutes). I don't have this problem any more because the springs I run now are so stiff they have virtually no preload!

how do you get the whole unit off?
is it just undoing top and bottom bolt ?

[gadgit]

Just jack it up, put some axle stands under and undo both the bolts. no need to use spring compressor at this stage. just knock it out with a rubber hammer or piece of wood and hammer. they tend to be tightly fitted and when you put it back in, you will have to thump it back in (mind the paint!)
copper slip all the bolts before you put them back in.

gadgit.

[spivvy]

gadgit said:

Just jack it up, put some axle stands under and undo both the bolts. no need to use spring compressor at this stage. just knock it out with a rubber hammer or piece of wood and hammer. they tend to be tightly fitted and when you put it back in, you will have to thump it back in (mind the paint!) copper slip all the bolts before you put them back in. gadgit.

thanks off to the garage later to try ? does this apply to the back ones as well ?

[mel-S3]

GreenV8S said:

The other only has one hook at each end, and the hooks are cast.

I have a pair of these. I find they fit easily to a loose spring. But when you come to take them off, or try to fit them to a spring on a damper, it can be a tight squeeze. I get around this by carefully hammering a chisel through the coils at the point where you want to fit the spring compressor, thus opening the coils allowing the spring compressor go in.

[gadgit]

Yes, removing the rears are the same as the front.
You don't need a spring compressor to remove the unit from the car.

gadgit.

>> Edited by gadgit on Sunday 16th November 22:20