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4.5" coil spring install help!

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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:03 AM
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McGeeXJ's Avatar
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From: Shippensburg, PA
Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0 I6
Default 4.5" coil spring install help!

Please read everything before replying. Thank you.

I have my axle dropped as low as it will go, I even removed the calipers so I could drop lower. As you can see in the picture included, I have a compressor in the spring but once it's in there, I can't get it out when the spring is in place. I can't disassemble the compressor inside the spring cause there isn't an opening big enough for the pieces to come out. Plus, the instructions to my lift say to install the lower control arm before decompressing the spring. I need another option. These springs are huge and I've never done this before. The compressor is rented, and now it's bent from the force of the spring, I'm afraid they won't take it back. I can't drop the axle low enough to get them in the without them compressed. I mean the axle is just hanging by its upper control arms and such. I've used a pair of spring compressors that go on the outside of the spring before on my old cavalier. Should I try those on this? They are way more dangerous and scare the hell out of me.

What should I do guys??? This noob needs some veteran help right now.

Thanks again.
Attached Thumbnails 4.5" coil spring install help!-image-59081156.jpg   4.5" coil spring install help!-image-3998592450.jpg  
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:07 AM
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I've installed them without compressors.
Use a big pry bar to push the bottom of the spring up and onto the coil bucket.
Might need a kick to get it in.
It's hard to explain through text, just how I've done it.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:10 AM
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From: grand rapids
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Use the other style spring compressor...

Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.

And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:12 AM
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From: grand rapids
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Also try different angles...like from the back side of the bucket....without the shocks in the way. Then you don't have the Cs nor the sway bar link brackets in the way...
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:15 AM
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From: Shippensburg, PA
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Originally Posted by 616_95xj
Use the other style spring compressor...

Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.

And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
The track bar is off and being replaced, I'm going to try and jack up one side real quick and see if I can lower the other, either way I can't get the other compressor til tomorrow, cause its 1 in the morning where I'm at hahaha.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:16 AM
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From: Shippensburg, PA
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Originally Posted by 616_95xj
Also try different angles...like from the back side of the bucket....without the shocks in the way. Then you don't have the Cs nor the sway bar link brackets in the way...
I'll try to work with this idea too, didn't help when I did it with the compressor installed though.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:21 AM
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From: grand rapids
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Originally Posted by McGeeXJ

The track bar is off and being replaced, I'm going to try and jack up one side real quick and see if I can lower the other, either way I can't get the other compressor til tomorrow, cause its 1 in the morning where I'm at hahaha.

Giver a shot. And try a few different angles too..also a crow bar isn't going to hurt anything beside possibly yourself if your not careful with it. But it's not rocket science. Some coils just wont go in with out being compressed. I put my 2" spacer and 3.5" coils in without a compressor...yet we could not get my buddy's 4.5" coils In without one... Weird how that works.


Same time here also. GR, MI.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:37 AM
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You guys are awesome. Thanks a ton!!
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:47 AM
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From: grand rapids
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Originally Posted by McGeeXJ
You guys are awesome. Thanks a ton!!
Awesome! Good luck with the rest of the install!
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