Are those spring compressors you can rent from the likes of Autozone any good?

I'm keeping the shocks but putting on new springs and a adjustable collar. I should have the modified tool I need to remove my shock hats tomorrow. I'd prefer someone assist who's fairly familiar with the F-body suspension. I'd be available after ~5PM Wed-Fri, and all day Saturday (with exception of needing time to drive home and getting cleaned up for the banquet, etc).

Any takers?

I forgot I should have an alignment done after I lower the front end... so maybe I should try to get this resolved by Friday night and get the re-alignment on Saturday.

Jim

I've got the spring compressor tool that I bought from Pep Boys you can borrow if you want. The one that you rent from Autozone might work if you can squeeze the clamps between the spring coils. They were too large to fit between the coils on the Miata, but the one from Pep Boys has smaller clamps. Let me know if you want to borrow them.

Based upon reading some other threads, I expect to have an issue getting the hooks off the compressed 650# springs. I've got a Pep Boys just up the street from me. Do you recall what it cost?

They were kinda pricey, I think $30 or $40. It's not a tool you'll use that often.

I guess it comes down to convenience. If we're near one another before I need to use it, then I'll borrow it. If not, I'll just try my luck at Pep Boys. Hell, I'm tempted to just take the compressor to the shop that I normally use (their bench spring compressor remains broken). Not sure if he'll want to use it - he's not real partial to tools if they don't have an air fitting

I found out this evening that I don't need shock compressor for the fronts. Anyone have a Sawzall?

The upper shock mount for the assembly retains water, and the rod nut is corroded onto the rod and mount. So I either send this assembled set to Koni for repair, or buy new shocks. I just went through this last year with the driver side and bought a replacement shock for it.

Impact gun? I'm sure Robert could help you with that

FWIW when I did my shocks I coated the shock nut with a bunch of grease to help keep the water away. I haven't taken it apart yet so I don't know if it helps any but it sounds like a good idea...

Suspension work is fun. I'd help, but tonight is obviously too late. Spent 2 days in Gainesville on a film shoot for Mini, comparing the Cooper S to a variety of cars. Fun stuff! I want an S. Anyhow, between tomorrow and Friday I have a ton of work to prepare for the banquet presentation, and a part-time job to waste my time with.

Getting the spring off isn't so much the issue as being able to re-use the shock. So far I've got recommendations on using grease, RTV, antiseize and vasoline. Most dealership purchases need to include KY just to make the prices bearable

It'll just be a bit tail-happy until I get it resolved.

Jim,

I plan to spend the better part of the morning at the tranny shop in Debary working on the Rx7 and the Fiero Saturday morning, you are more than welcome to join us. There will be an open rack and I have impacts, sawzall, welders, etc...

Think Puck Cheterson is bringing up his camaro to do some exhaust work as well.

Let me know so I can clear a lift for you.

Don

i tralked to jason buss yesterday and the way he told me what happend at the shop..... seems like no grease or rtv or anything of that sort would work.... according to him the threads above the nut on the shock are extreamly rusted..... in that case..... if your gonna rebuild it... put an impact on it and twist the nut off with thread and all, if the nut is off the shock will come out, right? (not too familiar with f-bodies)

Yeah, the <pick your lubricant> would only be useful on the re-install with new equipment to minimize it's recurrence. It won't help the current situation.

The front shocks are coilovers, so as long as the spring can be compressed a bit for safety, the shock should come off depending upon the amount of rust.

Don - Thanks for the offer, but I won't have new shocks by then. I could drive the car up there and get the nut off, but I fear they'd be unuseable and then the car would be stuck in Debary for awhile.