[DML] Re: Front end coil spring trouble

[dswingle@xxxx]

First the caveat - if you don't know what you're doing and/or are not comfortable with the danger, leave this to a suspension shop. That being stated:

I have replaced my front springs as well, and did not see this to be quite as much trouble as described. The secret, as usual, is the use of proper tools. The absolute best tool is a Snap-on spring compressor, very hard to find and expensive. This is a one-piece affair that grabs the spring from the outside, bothe sides at once. 

I used a McPherson Strut (2-piece, 3-finger) compressor, installed upside down from the normal use. Whatever you do, do NOT try and use a 3-piece compressor. I believe that this is illustrated on Knut's document, but I had a lot of trouble with one of the compression screws slipping off. 

I'll try posting a picture of how this goes together tomorrow - I'll have to get the photo to scan. 

Dave<14f98488.24691eb-@xxxx> wrote: 
> << Then we removed the lower arm from the car, released the
> spring, put the new spring on the arm and reversed the procedure. We
> could find no way to compress the springs from the outside. The
> compressor tools the shop had would not fit into such a small space with
> so many obstructions. >>
> It took me over 16 hours per spring to reinstall (front)and that was cut 
> springs
> and without being able to put the rubber pad under the spring,I would rate a 
> front spring change only to those people that have extensive knowledge of 
> Deloreans and the right equipment (which was the only way I was able to get 
> the new springs back on)
> to do any front spring work on a delorean.Trust me I know from experience.


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