[C5D]

I have been looking into replacement springs for my '06 Vert GT, and I figured that I would be able to handle swapping the rear springs. For the fronts, I was planning on having a suspension shop swap the springs for me, since I don't have a spring compressor.

However, I was watching the re-run of the Horsepower TV's '05 Mustang GT-> Roush Stage 3 conversion show, in which they showed Mike swap out the front springs and struts without using a spring compressor. The procedure that they showed was jacking the car up (in a lift, and I'm assuming good jackstands would do), jacking the front spindle/LCA to load the suspension, removing the bolts that held the front suspension hardware, lower the jack holding the spindle, and the the strut/springs came out without any fuss. Installation was just the reverse, and seemingly just as simple.

So, questions for the guys who have done this as a DIY. Is it really that easy without a spring compressor? Is this safe? Did they just not show some steps with a spring compressor that I should consider?

Also, would I really benefit from an impact wrench, or can this be done with some hand tools and a lot of elbow grease?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[stlwagon]

Don't mess around with it... Rent a spring compressor. A loaded spring can kill.

[sook]

+1 on that. Don't try to get the front springs off the stock strut without a spring compressor. Depending on the spring rate, one inch of compression can be an awful lot of force.

That being said, I have used that jacking method a few times with success. However I wouldn't advise it on your first spring DIY project. Go to autozone, put down a deposit for the compressor. You get it back after you return the gear. good luck.

[5twenty]

Just buy that spring compressor, it's worth having on hand. You are going to change tehm again someday, right? I got mine at Schuck's for about $40.

[sook]

Yea, just buy it. I bought one just after I lowered the car. It'll come in handy once I save up enough for the toiko or the QA1s.

[stangcrosser]

On TV they removed the strut rodt nut and dropped the spring & strut out of the hat/upper mount assembly/bearing housing. How they avoided separation of the top & bottom halves of the hat is a mystery to me.

When the top & bottom come apart you get ball bearings everywhere. And then you will need to remove the hat to put the bearings back in.

Better to just buy or rent a spring compressor. It's safter in a couple of ways.

[sqidd]

I got my spring compressor for $40 and it was still scary!

Never ever mess arround with springs, they can kill you if you are not respectful $.02

[88_stanga]

i lowered my 06 in my garage in a little under 2 hours. no spring compressor. i laid the stut on the ground. put my impact gun on the nut and buzzed it off while i had my left foot on the spring. the strut shot back about 2 feet. put the new spring on and buzzed the nut back down

[stangcrosser]

Originally Posted by 88_stanga

i lowered my 06 in my garage in a little under 2 hours. no spring compressor. i laid the stut on the ground. put my impact gun on the nut and buzzed it off while i had my left foot on the spring. the strut shot back about 2 feet. put the new spring on and buzzed the nut back down

Very brave. But if fear that others may not be as fortunate as you, and physical injury is a real risk.

[kj_cinci]

I took the two front assemblies to CarX and they put on the new springs for $20... yea, for another 20 I could have goten my own compressor but did not know that... plus I'm not sure I wanted to mess with it anyways...

BE CAREFUL !!

[bigwilly43729]

I just picked up the latest issue of MM&FF, and they are doing an install of the FRPP Handling Package on an 06 and they too say that a spring compressor isn't necessary, for this particular package. I'm looking at this setup as a DIY for that reason, but if the compressor is only $40, I guess other options are still open.

[mustangaretuff]

I have personally done this on two different cars. No spring compressor needed. Here is a great article to help you out. Basically put the car on jack stands. Jack up the front A arm so there is a little pressure on it from the Jack. Take off the top bolt and let it down easy. This will "SAFELY" decompress the spring, no danger of it flying out. If you are at all shy about these things, do what KJ did. Take the whole assembly out and give it to a professional.

88 Stang, dude, your nuts... I want to hang out with you.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/112006/1074.php

[Moses]

Funny that this thread resurfaced. This is the next project on my to-do list and was about to post asking if anyone could post a link or write-up.

I've scored a great deal on a set of 1977 Ford Pinto springs and shocks (only $750!!!) and I plan on doing the install myself to save the $$. I heard the Mustang is going to grip the road like glue afterwards.

Just kidding. Seriously though, I've decided on the FRPP suspension and I really am considering doing the install myself. I suppose I'll just buy the spring compressor, bc my 97 Ranger is going to need new suspension soon also.
Call me sadistic.
~Mo

[booger]

Originally Posted by mustangaretuff

I have personally done this on two different cars. No spring compressor needed. Here is a great article to help you out. Basically put the car on jack stands. Jack up the front A arm so there is a little pressure on it from the Jack. Take off the top bolt and let it down easy. This will "SAFELY" decompress the spring, no danger of it flying out. If you are at all shy about these things, do what KJ did. Take the whole assembly out and give it to a professional.

88 Stang, dude, your nuts... I want to hang out with you.

WordPress › Error

That's how I did it too. I personally thought it was safer doing it this way than removing the strut assy and using a spring compressor. Didn't have a problem with the bearing assy either.

[ScottM]

I rented mine from Autozone for I think a 40 dollar deposit. They gave it all back to me when I returned it.