So, When I get around to changing the springs , I've search the best way to remove and replace the front coils. Some say get the compressor, others say get the car up high enough and you can remove them w/o one. Now being a evil dentist, I need all my evil fingers. So I want a recipe from the knowledgable ones as to the best way to rmove the coils. step be step.. Watch one do one teach one. but I've never watched one, so you see my concern. Any help would get you a free cleaning and my undying gratitude.. Thanks.. Dr. Dan :thumbsup: ....BTW I'm replacing the stock S/B coils with eilback I" drop coils. The front sits a bit high right now. everything else is stock.

ABSOLUTELY USE A SPRING COMPRESSOR. If you do it without one, then you are taking a huge risk. Those springs are under an enormous amount of tension and if it comes flying out of there, it could do some serious damage, possibly kill you, if it hit you right. For the little bit of money a spring compressor cost, you would be stupid to do it without one. Plus, most auto parts stores will rent it to you. Leave a deposit, use the tool, return it and get your deposit back. Simple as that.

Use the cars weight so you wont need a compressor. The key is to get the car high enough (approx 2ft) so the a floor jack can be used to lower the lower control arm when shock , sway bar, spindle are disconnected. The floor jack must be placed out side of the lower ball joint so you are on the outer most edge of the lower control arm (this is key). Most floor jacks have four bosses protruding up fron the lifting pad and one of those will slide up into that small lip area outside the control arm. That outside position gives the control arm leveage enough to over come spring pressure without lifting the car up. It wil let down slowly and fall out. You must always use caution when dealing with springs!! Keep your face and hands (and anything else you value) back just in case. I have pics if you need them...
and yes a spring compressor will work too if you feel the need.
Oh I love my Eibachs it sits just right.

I use spring compressors when replacing standard springs. The car weight/jack technique works also, but you have to be a bit more careful.

I do however recommend the following, regardless of which way you go. Run a chain down from the upper A-arm down through the shock hole in the lower A-arm and secure it. This will keep the spring from trying to kill you if you make a mistake.

Having never removed coils in the past, I tackled this job last year and it was a piece of cake and I'm still living to tell you about it!.....You'll need a good floor jack along with ramps to get the car around 2 feet off the ground.....An inside the spring coil spring compressor is not needed for removal, just for installation only.....I removed the inner bolts and nuts securing the lower control arm to the frame.....First off, install a heavy duty chain around the coil spring and lower control arm, this is for safety reasons so the spring will stay in place when you lower the control arm.....Position the floor jack underneath the lower control arm and put a little pressure on it so you can easily remove the nuts and bolts.....Now, very slowly, lower the floor jack until all spring pressure is relieved, the spring won't go anywhere because you have the chain wrapped around it.....To install, compress the coil spring to around 12" or so, on your vise, this compressed height will make for an easy installation.

the new springs are shorter so that won't be a prob. But you see what i mean by diff. opinions.. I'll use the compressor tech. Thanks to all.

the new springs are shorter so that won't be a prob. But you see what i mean by diff. opinions.. I'll use the compressor tech. Thanks to all.


What I typically do when I read a variety of opinions is I stick with the one that is the most logical and makes sense in my mind!.....Some opinions are so complicated and confusing that I just ignore these!:yes:

I did as badbird did, 2 yrs ago. I too had never done one before. I did not use ramps, but got the car up high for the LCA to extend down fully. Used a heavy cable wrapped through the coil and around the sf. Went very easy. I did not use a compressor for replacement either. That's what the jack is for. Use the cable again on installation. Safety first. Make sure your springs are properly seated in the spring pocket. There is a stop there. I too installed the Eibach 1" lowering springs.