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Tips
Tips

Before I do something stupid

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Put the spring in by hand with the a frame hanging way down with the floor jack under it.

Now jack the a frame and spring up till you can connect the top of the spindle to the shock. Should take maybe 2 min.
 
Tonight's trivia - the weight of a Midget shell is less than the compression rate of a set of front springs - all it does is lift up the front end. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif So thinks I, all I need to do is take a 2X4 and brace it against the ceiling holding the car in place - turns out this is a two person job /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif - fortunately nothing dented when the 2X4 fell. Next thought - get wife and daughter to sit on car while I jack up spring - fortunately brain checks in before that request. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif "Dear are you fat enough to keep the car in place while I jack up the springs..." "Dear, why is your fist coming at me that way?"

So, time for a beer to think /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thirsty.gif - realized that a since everything has to come off again anyway to be painted and since I want to dismantle it quickly - why not get some drain pipe and slide it in the space where the spring goes - quick & dirty fix. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif

I'll let you know how it goes - Oh and the top of the king pin is on backwards. I love learning! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
I'm confused (which is my normal state here of late)...inside bushings? outside bushings?

I just removed my suspension & all my bushings were "inside"...

& I realized when I was disassembling everything that I've gotta install my engine/trans before compressing the springs!
 
tony barnhill said:
I'm confused (which is my normal state here of late)...inside bushings? outside bushings?
Click to expand...

I'm always confused - you're right of course, they're all inside.

What we were more specifically talking about was the bushings on the A-arm.

On the -Inside- is the two "inner halves" and outside -the "outer halves." - The "outside" ones can be inserted after the A-arm is in place (due to the bigger bolt holes on the "frame"), the "inners" have to be inserted before the A-arm is inserted, which cam up in discussion because the bushing shoulders need to be compressed before the A-arm can be installed.

Clear as mud right? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif
 
Folks,

Putting springs back in is really, really simple if you use some threaded 1/2" rod, I forget the measurements but something like a foot long or so to compress two of the spring mount bolts. Tighten up until you can get in two of the short bolts, loosen the long bolts, spring stays partially compressed, put the remaining two bolts in there. It helps if you've got an air powered impact wrench to spin in all that thread to compress the springs. Once you figure out the technique, 10 minutes per side or less to install. Make sure long bolts go on diagonal corners.
 
I have tried it every other way, and I have to agree with Jim, the "long bolt" method is the easiest. It can take a bit of time if you don't have an air wrench and a very long socket. But even so, there is much less sweating, kicking and being terrified that you are going to destroy your car than with the other methods.
 
I did the long bolt method once. I'm not patient enough to do it again. I have since used the "boot" method.
 
My Day

1. Install driver side A-arm - use carpet knife
2. Install kingpin/ rotor assembly
3. Attempt to install spring
3 a) spring won't compress
3 b) find long bolts used to remove springs - Oh I stripped them removing springs.
4. Decide I don't want springs till after the car is painted (for ease of dismantling to paint)
5. Buy a length of 4" ABS pipe
6. Cut ABS pipe (6" long)
7. Disconnect kingpin/ rotor assembly
8. Install pipe
9. Install Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly
10. Move to passenger side
11. Install passenger A-arm - break carpet knife
12. Install kingpin/Rotor assembly
13. Notice Connecting Arm to Ball Joint on Backwards
14. Recall that when disaaembled, one Connecting arm would not come off. Hmmm, which one?
15. Disconnect Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly
16. Move passenger side Kingpin/ Rotor assembly to drivers side
17. Install driver's side Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly
18. Notice ABS pipe lying on floor.
19. Disconnect Kingpin/ Rotor assembly, install ABS pipe
20. Reinstall Kingpin Rotor Assembly
21. Noice pin holding kingpin to threaded A-arm fulcrum pin is loose
22. Disconnect Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly
23. Remove mashed pin
24. Install small bolt for now
25. Reconnect Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly
26. Install passenger side ball joint connecting rod properly
27. Install passenger side Kingpin/ Rotor Assembly remembering to install the ABS pipe.
28. Install tires
29. Lower car onto tires for the first time in almost a year.
30. Open a beer

Learning: It gets quicker every time - 10 - 23 took a little more than an hour /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

She's ready to go to the shop! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif no shock, no front springs, 20 bolts and the suspension is off the car /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10772705@N05/2187983363/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10772705@N05/2187983439/
 
Well done.
 
Progress apace, JP! Well done.
 
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