Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Gettin the springs off ?

Is a spring press required to get the springs off the struts on my 99 SE Contour ? I want to buy some new springs for my wife's hot rod but concerned that I will have to be at the mercy of a front end shop to get the new springs on. I might be better off just to buy the whole unit ? Anyone done either or ?? Thanks Ken

got to remove strut from suspension then the springs, might as well replace the strut while your at it. And 4wheel alignment.
Struts can be expensive to play with.
Paul

It took 4hrs to remove and reinstall all the coils. I'm still riding on stock struts just until I get the money for some good struts. (Koni, Tokico,ect..)

Johnny Five, yes that's what I plan to do also, use my stock struts. This is my wife's car and the stockers are fine. But, did you have to haul the struts down to a shop to get the springs off ? I don't have a spring press handy. Some springs can just be taken off the strut, and some springs have to be compressed before you can remove the top spring retainer or the springs jump out and cause much damage when they hit you in the face. I need to plan on having a vehicle around to run to the shop when I put the new springs on if they have to be compressed prior to removal. Thanks, Ken

Going through all that work just to put old struts {what 50K?) back on.

To top it off handling may decrease due to the stock struts not having the proper valving for the much lower ride height and the fact they are on their last legs to boot. The are guaranteed to fail quickly if not bad to begin with.

IMO it is a lose/lose/lose situation. The third lose is that you are doing it to someone else even! (the wife)

if you or someone you know owns an air compressor and an impact gun, you can use it to take the spring off the strut EASY, just place the strut behind a loose wheel, stick the extension from the gun through the center of the wheel and place it on the top bolt of the strut, hold the wheel back and loosen the bolt with the torque of the gun, the spring will pop right off w/o any spring compressor! that's what i did.

Two questions:

a) How far does the strut and/or wheel fly when you do this after it springs off the spring.

2) How do you then get the new strut and spring back together without a compressor. That is if you are using the same springs on new struts.

Just seems kinda dangerous to me, if I understand what you are doing, using the wheel as a shield to minimize your exposure.

Do you have any pictures or even better video clips of this removal technique in action?

TB

OK, if I were you, I'd replace struts before springs, or both at once if that is your final desired configuration. You will save money and hassle in the long run. Can't afford it? Save until you can.

That said, yes you will need a spring compressor, but you can basically rent one at your local Autozone, O'Reilly's, or probably some others. After install, just make sure you get an alignment, so budget the cost of that in when you buy your gear.

DO NOT attempt changing springs/shocks with the 'no compressor' method.Its a major risk and you can loose 'your face' with a spring out of control.Rent the correct tools & BE SAFE!!!!!

Terry Haines;"DO NOT attempt changing springs/shocks with the 'no compressor' method.Its a major risk and you can loose 'your face' with a spring out of control.Rent the correct tools & BE SAFE!!!!!"

Sweet, thank you. That was what I was looking for. Some springs are pre-loaded, and some aren't and I did not know which way these were. Now I do. And after reading from some of the other posts, I'm thinking that new struts should go on with the new springs. I never considered the extra wear and the difference of valving that new heavier springs would cause, and would require. Thanks for all your input and help.

Now, I've read several posts here regarding Cougar springs. I have the chance to buy brand new adjustable springs made for a Cougar. They have the collar that slides over the strut with adjustment nuts that raise and lower the bottom spring seat. But the store that has them doesn't know if they'll fit. I know the actual springs will fit, but will the sleeve that slides over the strut tube fit ? Ken