building front spring compressor

[suzi6]

I am starting front susp work on 74 TR6. I would like to build a spring compressor. I have a heat treated 1/2 X 36" threaded rod, nuts, asst.washers & plate stock for bottom. My main question is, how long is the proper length for this rod ? Any help will be appreciated. ps. I am new to this forum and cant quit reading it.This 74TR6 I bought new 6/74, 130K miles, best car I ever owmed.

 

[TR3driver]

Mine is 16" but ISTR it was a little longer than absolutely necessary.

 

[Tinkerman]

Far better too long then too short!

Tinkerman

 

[John_Mc]

Far better too long then too short!

Tinkerman

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif I think the only limit to length is how much room you have under the car. Too short would be a disaster. But I guess I'm not really answering the question, just prattling on. Here's a picture of mine using 5/8" rod.
NOTE: I changed those steel plates for much heavier-duty washers for obvious reasons.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

I already commented on this question posed by some one else some time ago, but I was told to shut up...so this is how I do it. Mummmphhmph...numupphmpphm...mememmmphmnm. Works every time, and my face has only minor scares. Not to mention, I will be done and sittin down, smokin cigs and drinkin coffee while you are still crankin those damned nuts.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Opps, one last bit of advice,those electrical box plates have BAMMM written all over them.

 

[TR3driver]

Since we're sharing, here's a (fuzzy) photo of mine. The nice thing about the length (for me) is that it lets me use an impact wrench on the double nuts to compress the spring.

 

[DrEntropy]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif

tho he did say he'd changed for obvious reasons. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

These have worked on a lot of LBC's but were built for Elan rears in the beginning:

 

[martx-5]

Dr.,

How come it says that I don't have access to download this attachment??

Forget it, I see the pic came up in the post.

Edit: Those spring compressors don't fit very well on the TR's. I've tried them, and went back to the one I made that goes through where the shock is.

 

[DrEntropy]

You may have hit it as I was changing the size. Did you reload the page yet?


EDIT: and we're typing at the same time, too! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[John_Mc]

Opps, one last bit of advice,those electrical box plates have BAMMM written all over them.

True, but that's why I changed them for much stronger washers.
I'm just not brave enough to try the BoR method...yet...

 

[DrEntropy]

ps. I am new to this forum and cant quit reading it.This 74TR6 I bought new 6/74, 130K miles, best car I ever owmed.

Welcome to th' mayhem, suzi6!! I can't tell you the length, been too long since I tore into a TR6 front end. Someone will come along and set it down, tho. I'd go with Randall's length.

 

[Tinkerman]

I used a hardened threaded rod for mine. Also 1/4 inch plate I did use two washers on the top plate with copper eaze smeared in between them just to make it easier. I think the rod was 5/8, might have been 1/2. I stood well clear of the top of it when I used it!

Worked well and after I used it I sold it on eBay.

Tinkerman

 

[RonMacPherson]

Aloha, Welcome Aboard Suzi,


Dale, the Tinster, just did a front end rebuild on Amos down in Puerto Rico. He did a very presentable job of posting pics and tools he used. I gotta get outta here, so I can't lookup his post for you.

Hopefully, someone can pull up the post, or you can do a search for it.

 

[Tinster]

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[BOXoROCKS]

John Mc, sorry I missed your caveat,my mistake. That Evelyn Wood speed reading course, is really all about guessing.

Tinster, you have a gift......

 

[BOXoROCKS]

...and it's the big 64 piece box of crayolas

 

[BOXoROCKS]

...don't taz me bro...

 

[suzi6]

Thanks to everyone for the info & pictures. Judging from the pics the length is probably 16 to 20" ?? Thanks again.suzi6

 

[TRMark]

If you are going to use the grade zip all thread available at the local hardware store; I suggest putting a little grease on the area traveled by the bolt. My experience has been the metal is so soft that the treads began to distort, the grease helps extend the life of the threads.