View Full Version : Installing coil springs & Varishocks with ATS spindle?
68cutlass
08-07-2007, 10:32 AM
Does anyone here have experience with this problem? I'm installing ATS spindles/Eibach springs/Varishocks on an A-body frame that is going to go under my Cutlass. The shock body is too thick to fit through the opening in my LCA, so I have to install the coil spring with the shock already inside. Now I can't use my internal coil spring compressor. I have external spring compressors, but even after compressing the spring as much as possible and cutting all of the excess length of the threaded bolts off, they still hit the frame and I can't get the ball joints close enough to attach to the spindle. Since I'm working on just the frame, no engine, body, etc., I don't have enough weight pushing down to compress the spring by jacking up the LCA. Has anyone else here been in this same situation? Any advice? Thanks.
-Mark
TitoJones
08-07-2007, 12:08 PM
Open up the LCA shock pass through with a grinder so the shock will pass through.
That way you can use the coil psring compressor and get the spindles on and install the shocks after.
Tyler
68cutlass
08-07-2007, 12:41 PM
Tyler,
so you would open up one end of the shock pass through? I don't want to get too close to the holes in the LCA that the lower shock mount bolts go through and weaken that area. Thanks.
-Mark
68cutlass
08-09-2007, 04:19 AM
Thanks. I got it done.
-Mark
NvrDun71
08-09-2007, 05:54 AM
Thanks. I got it done.
-Mark
I'm gonna be in the same boat when I go to install my DSE springs and Varishocks up front on my Nova. What did you end up doing to make it work?
Marcus SC&C
08-09-2007, 08:12 AM
Normally that would be good advice but Varishocks always install on TOP of the LCAs,not through them. That`s the way they`re designed and it allows them to use a larger shock body with more oil volume and beefier internals. Also all of the compressive forces in bump are spread across the arms rather than taken entirely by those little shock mounting bolts in tension. It`s less important in droop because you`re only dealing with the mass of the moving suspension parts,wheels and tires etc. rather than the mass of the whole car. Yes they can be a bit of a pain to install at times but they`re worth it. Eibach springs on A bodys usually almost fall into place because their uninstalled height is much less than OE. If I use a compressor on them at all I usually just put it on the inboard side so that it curves the spring into the proper arc. Assembling suspension on a bare frame is always a pain. We leave the performance front springs out and substitute either cut stock springs or a couple lengths of wood 4"x4" until the car has the body and front clip back on. That way you don`t have the shocks and suspension topped out hard against the stops for however long until you get the bar together. You can`t drive a bare frame around anyway. :) Mark SC&C
Vegas69
08-09-2007, 08:27 AM
A chain between the jack and frame will work to get that lower control arm to compress the spring far enough. Probably not the best option a freshly painted frame.
68cutlass
09-05-2007, 04:55 PM
NvrDun71,
I had the 455 block that I am going to use just sitting in the garage, so I looped a section of plastic coated chain through two of the main caps and then through an opening on the front of the frame. That gave me enough weight above that I could then compress the coil spring with the floor jack on the LCA with the shock already inside. (I knew there'd be an advantage to using that heavy Olds motor over an LS1!) :idea:
I'm with you Mark I really didn't want to cut on my LCA. If you don't have a block sitting around maybe you can figure out how to do something similar.
-Mark
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