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tony barnhill

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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So, I'm removing the front suspension from under the frame of my '77 Corvette & needed a coil spring compressor. Where to go? Rent one or buy one?

Buy of course. And from where? Harbor Freight, of course.

Walked in the door and asked the young lady at the cash register, <span style="font-style: italic">"Can you tell me where the coil spring compressors are located?"</span>

Her answer. <span style="font-style: italic">"Well, all our compressors are over there."</span> as she pointed to the aisle with the AIR COMPRESSORS!!

<span style="font-style: italic">"No, no."</span> I answered, trying to not blow up, <span style="font-style: italic">" I'm talking about coil spring compressors."

"What're they used for?"

"Compressing coil springs.

"I don't know."</span>

And she called for floor help....the goofs some companys hire!

I've got chains wrapped through the coil springs & around the lower A-arms!
 
If you pay peanuts, you usually attract monkeys.
 
Careful, Colonel... hope you're usin' GOOD chain! :wink:

Might try a local "automart" parts house for a rental or NAPA for a proper tool.

The parts monkeys at most bargain parts houses are NOT hired for their degree outta M.I.T. y'know. :devilgrin:
 
Thats not so bad tony. My brother used to live in New Mexico. He was flying back, and checked in to DC's National Airport. He was directed to the INTERNATIONAL gate. Even after he informed them what year NM became a state, they were still insisting.... Now I'm sure they work for TSA.
 
Rego beat me to it. :smirk:
 
Last place to look for spring compressor tomorrow is NAPA...I've gotta find a way to unload the spring from the ball joints.
 
Don't you have a local rental place?The one that
work with compressed air are pretty slick.Also check
with your local Snap-On,Mac Tools,etc.Sometimes they
have them for a reasonable price.

- Doug
 
She probably thought you said "Oil Springs" and figured it was somewhere in the Mideast :crazyeyes:
 
My son went to the local AutoZone to buy a coil spring compressor. They recommended we buy it and then return it for a full refund after you use it.
Because we have so many cars, we ended up keeping it because we have two other cars we need it for. But talk about cheap to rent LOL!!!
 
Went to Autozone, Advanced Auto, CarQuest, O'Reilley's....they all have the same compressors to rent - all too big to go inside a Corvette's coil spring (just like too big to go inside an MGB spring) & too long to go on the outside of the coil spring (just like too big for an MGB)....the Corvette coil spring is only a 450 spring & about the same height as an MGB spring though a little wider.

Gonna try NAPA tomorrow....then, its probably fabricate one myself.
 
Maybe the reason no one at Harbor Freight knew what you were talking about is they don't carry one. They have a strut compressor that fits outside the spring and doesn't look like it would survive an actual coil spring. I needed one for my truck that would fit inside once the shock is removed. Couldn't find one until Autozone loaned me one. They didn't have one for sale.

I just checked Autozones website. Here is what I rented and it is listed as "not available" on their site too.
https://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/grn/47035/image/5/
 
I almost hate to recommend this,but
how about using multiple hose clamps?

- Doug
 
When all else fails, sell the car....
 
:lol:
 
This past winter I renewed the front suspension on my '64 Corvette ('63-'82 were the same). Didn't use a spring compressor, but I'm convinced I could have made the one for my TR4A (long threaded rod w/nuts and washers)do the job.
Tony these two links might help. It's pretty much what I did. The springs didn't do anything surprising although because I was nervous, I did have them chained securely.
https://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_info...d%20rebuild.pdf
https://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/2246695-help-removing-front-coil-spring.html
Also, make it a point to replace the front coils with the 7 coil aftermarket ones so it's no big deal re-installing.
 
Thanks, Jay....some good tips on those threads...looks like its time for the BFH! I'll let you know how it goes.
 
No offense, Tony, but you asked a <span style="font-style: italic">cashier</span>. That's the lowest position in the store, and they're there to do one thing-ring stuff up. Not help the customers or provide information about the products.

-Wm.
 
jessebogan said:
...My brother used to live in New Mexico. He was flying back, and checked in to DC's National Airport. He was directed to the INTERNATIONAL gate. Even after he informed them what year NM became a state, they were still insisting....
Click to expand...

Almost everyone from New Mexico has a story like this, I think. (I lived there several years in the 70s.) New Mexico Magazine even had (maybe still has) a section called, "One of Our Fifty is Missing," recounting such experiences. Some people get really upset when you try to tell them it's a state, and give you an argument. Like I don't know what country I live in!
 
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