Toby,
The best (and safest) way I have found to remove the springs from any car
that has lower A arms with removeable spring pans uses two 6-8"
pieces of threaded rod. Simply replace two of the bolts (diagonally)
with the rod. Take out the other two bolts then alternately back out
the threaded rod until the pressure is off the spring. Then slide
the spring out of the hole in the A Aarm. I found it best to lock
two nuts on the top of each rod and use a long nut (the kind used to
connect two pieces of threaded rod) on the bottom. This gives more
surface area for your wrench.
Luck, Herb
Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com> on 03/10/99 08:49:14 PM
Please respond to Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com>
To: Toby Atwater <tob@taltec.net>
cc: Sprite Maling List <spridgets@autox.team.net> (bcc: Herb
Goede/AMS/AMSINC)
Subject: Re: sprite update, next project, springs,
Toby Atwater wrote:
>
> OK brakes are done, thanks to all who helped with my rotor problems
> Next on the list, Springs.
>
> To my surprise, front springs aren't that costly, so I have decided
to not
> postpone my spring work. I would have thought that installing springs
would be a
> major pain, but while working on those discs, I foresaw the job to be
fairly
> simple. Now my question is, will specialized tools be needed to install
new front
> springs? Will I need to compress the spring in order to fit it (using a
jack) ? And
> thirdly the spring itself, can anyone tell me what the stock springs are
rated at?
> and what springs should I replace them with? I do believe I want
something a tad
> stiffer then stock, but you may be able to set me straight.
Toby
The front springs come outwithout the use of special tools.
Just undo the top trunion nut, lower the A arm all the way down and pop
the spring out.
There will be almost no tension on it at this point.
Installing a new spring may need the assistance of your foot to pop in
back in. Jack up the A arm and replace the trunion nut.
Up rated springs are a matter of choice.
If you use it on the street, stick with stock.
Lower springs help in handling but hurt the exhaust pipe.
Stiffer springs make for a stiffer ride.
Well at my age (no spring chicken anymore) I get enough assitice or
numbutt after about 3 hours on the road in my Sprite. That time was down
to less than 2 hours in my 59 which had a stiffer lower suspension.
The age of the body (driving) determines the rating of the spring!
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Bugeye Sprite
67 Sprite
59 A40
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
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