when i was 16 i got a 67 RS camaro and I have gradually restored it as i drove it almost daily.....

Im finally making descent money and finishing up college and I thought it was finally time to make her purr

well exchange the stock intake and carb for a 670 holley and a edlebrock intake and it made a world of difference.... that is until about the third week afterward when i was rounding a corner on some back round at home and the front left wheel collapsed into the engine bay!
Nothing got messed up (as far as the engine goes) thank God. Upon further inspection the bolts that attach the upper control arm shaft were messed up. One was completely broken in half and the others thread were stripped enough that the whole thing shifted into the engine bay.

I was a little releived that it was just those bolts that screwed up but Im considering (since i already have a new set) replacing the coil springs while im down there.

i can get a hold of a coil spring compresser but I've never done that kinda work before....

So my question is, is it worth the trouble or am I gonna end up wishing I had dished out the money for a shop to do it?

I'd just have a shop do it.

Thats where I draw the line, doing spring work like that can be very dangerous. My dad almost crushed me under my car removing traction bars. He said he'll never do that kind of work again lol.

I was a little releived that it was just those bolts that screwed up but Im considering (since i already have a new set) replacing the coil springs while im down there.

i can get a hold of a coil spring compresser but I've never done that kinda work before....

So my question is, is it worth the trouble or am I gonna end up wishing I had dished out the money for a shop to do it?

Absolutely, no question...do it yourself! Now, search and read through threads here on how to do it right, and do it safely. And of course, you can always ask a ton of questions like we all do to help figure out things.

Spring compressor? You don't need no stinkin' spring compressor :D. Seriously. If you put the car on jacks high enough, the lower control arms can be lowered slowly (and controlled) with a jack, and will allow the spring to just fall out. You can always chain it to make sure it doesn't "jump" out and harm anything to be extra safe, but I'm tellin' ya, it'll work just fine. When you go to put new ones in....you insert the spring tail in the slot in the upper shock tower...then seat it in the LCA...and then slowly jack the arm up until you can secure the spindle.

Enough for now. Search and read.

And btw, welcome to TC!:thumbsup:

I ended up cutting my springs with a cutting torch very easy to remove that way if you have access to some welding equipment (didn't care about the springs they were cut too short and previous owner had put in blocks to raise it back up).

Then just go with coil overs and you don't have to worry about putting a spring in, that is what I am planning on doing :beers:

You can do it yourself. I had never done one before, but with all the info that is in the threads, it was not difficult. Do as dbx said and put the car high enough on stands and use the floor jack to lower the lower control arm. And since you are that far it would be best to change all bushings and ball joints if not done recently. Use a bike cable or chain through the coil spring for safety as mentioned. And make sure the coil end fits into the upper spring pocket stop. You will see it once the spring is out and you look up into the tower. Now to is the time to decide on stock or lowering springs.

Andrew,

You can do it man :thumbsup:

I was a bit apprehensive a couple of years back when I put in new springs, control arm bushings and installed a front disc brake kit but it worked out just fine. Take your time, ask questions here on TC and don't rush it. The only thing to pay extra special attention to is removal/install of the coil springs. SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. Make sure that sucker is chained just in case the spring decides it wants to fly out.

Heck, if I can do it anyone can.

Do it your self but have a friend help you out.

You can do it!! Believe me i am the special needs mechanic and i was able to do it with the help of the guys from TC. just do your research here and take your time. it was not that difficult. ive since done the leaf springs as well and never thought i would get this far by myself.

There isnt much you cant do on a 1st gen yourself. Thats one of the benefits. Also think of the personal satisfaction you get doing things yourself.

Even though I could get someone else to do it I do 90% of my own work just for that reason.


Make sure you have the factory assembly manual the service manual and a torque wrench.

See my post in this thread Andrew.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=125271

Up to now, I've been spending almost all of my time in the body shop forum, but now I have both front and rear subframes sitting downstairs in my garage, and it's time to get my a** in gear and start turning wrenches.

I've started reading many threads here, and as always, they contain incredibly valuable information...but as is almost always the case, finding 1 answer creates 3 more questions :)

I ordered the total suspension kit from Prothane and also want to replace springs and shocks since I'm tearing everything down to coat with POR.

I noticed mention in this thread of going to coil-over shocks and eliminating the front coils. Is this really a good option? Pros/cons?

Right now the front is hanging in the sling I tied around it so I could pick it up out of a pickup truck bed with my engine hoist. My intent is to put the whole assembly up on my shop table, but I want to pull the shocks/springs first, while I have access.

After that, I'll set it up on the table and strip the disc brakes and everything else off so I can prep it for POR. I plan to take pics of every single step...not to post here...just as a good memory jogger for myself, since I suffer from CRS.

So am I heading in the right direction here?

Jim

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Just make darn sure you crib the car up SOLID.

WORK SAFE or she can come down and KILL YOU!!

I'd leave the rearend on it's tires on the ground for stability!

Then do the same w/ the front when you get around to working on the rear...

pdq67

Both assemblies are removed from the body, which is over at the paint shop.

Jim

Please do a search and through the old archives too using my handle b/c I've posted how I rebuilt my car's complete suspension, BY HAND!!!, including S/F/C's.

It's not ALL that hard to do, I just had to get cranked up to do it and I did b/c of the great guys here! I have to say, I walked by my car for over 13 or so years before I found TC and decided to tear into her!

AND I also have to say that I am a sorry SOB only b/c it's not on the road due to my old tired as-!!!

You gotta question, come back and ask! You got another one, come back again, and again, and again!!

We are like family here and I feel that at times we ALL bend over backwards ta HELP each other and especially the new guys!!

pdq67

Thanks...I'll start searching and printing ;)

Jim

If you are mechanically inclined, go ahead and do it. I had never rebuilt a front suspension before but I did my own with the help of TC. It is really not that hard. Just takes time. Do not be in a hurry.:thumbsup:

thanks guys!

Im headed home this weekend with the bolts I needed for the control arm and I rekon I will go ahead and tackle the coil springs with all the info yall gave me..

this site is friggin awesome!!

yall ever need something I may know just ask!

thanks guys!

Im headed home this weekend with the bolts I needed for the control arm and I rekon I will go ahead and tackle the coil springs with all the info yall gave me..

this site is friggin awesome!!

yall ever need something I may know just ask!

Be sure and check out my recent post here on Cutting Coil Springs - (the topic is more than the title implies) there is some real good advice in there regarding removing coils, etc. that some very helpful people put together that will also benefit you. Knowledge = power (hp in our case)and freedom (to accomplish our projects safely, soundly and w/o paying someone lelse lots of $)!