Paul,
I was able to take the shocks off the front end when the body was off the
frame with no engine in it. I just used an air ratchet and it came right
off.
Then I proceded to jack the A-frame up and unscrew the the balljoint crown
nuts about 2-3 turns but not all the way off. I was able to release the
spindle from the ball joint then jacked it back up with a standard floor
jack. There was enough weight to remove the rest of the pressure from the
springs to undo the suspension. Seemed like no big deal to me but I have
done this a few times to different types of vehicles.
Bob
Pam & Paul Bauman wrote:
> I'll admit, it was exciting seeing the first layers of primer go on the
> beast after so many weeks of putting parts in boxes. But now it's just
> turned into messy, necessary work. I bought a can of Rustoleum black to
> cover the godawful red primer (I know, it's not POR-15, but the more I
> read about that stuff, the more it scares me).
>
> Got ready to start painting and realized I had flat black instead of
> semigloss. I stood there thinking about another trip to the store, when
> I remembered my penny-wise modeling days as a kid. So back to the store
> for a can of Rustoleum gloss black. My wife washed out an old gallon
> bleach jug (for those purists out there, an Evian container) and mixed
> the two together. Presto! Instant semigloss black. The bottle didn't
> explode, so I guess it works the same now as it did 25 years ago. I now
> have more than enough paint to do the frame and underside of the car.
> Just remember not to mix oil and water-based paint together--yucck!
>
> I know there's probably a good reason why they don't put paint in
> plastic jugs with screw tops, but for the life of me, I can't think of
> one. It's easy to mix, easy to pour, and I'm not tempted to paint
> directly out of the bottle! I used Dixie cups and the cheapest brushes I
> could find. Use once, throw away.
>
> Also, be aware that taking off the front shocks without the weight of
> the body and drivetrain is no picnic. I don't have a spring compressor
> (I don't even know what one looks like!) and the frame alone is not
> nearly heavy enough to squash them coils springs down enough to let the
> shocks out of the lower a-arm. Anyone do this without a spring
> compressor? Anyone interested in coming by to sit on the frame for a few
> minutes?
>
> I'll even wait till the paint dries :-)
>
> Paul
> 67 1600
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