We just replaced the springs, shocks, spindles and put new
brakes on our 1970 Chevelle. We are doing a frame off restoration so the body
was off
the frame. However, the best way to put in the new springs
is to put the spring compressor rod through the top of the upper control arm in
the hole
used to secure the shock. If the spring compressor rod is
to thick, shave the hole on the upper control arm until the rod fits through.
Use only the
bottom claws the come with the spring compressor and as you
screw the rod in from the top it will pull the spring up toward the upper
control arm.
In order for the car not to lift off the ground and to
compress the upper and lower control arms so that they are about 7" apart (the
amount needed
to put the new spindle in place) we put a hydraulic jack
under the lower control arm and as we compressed the spring from above, we also
jacked
up the lower control arm. It took us only about fifteen
minutes to do each side. The castle nut will then fit and thread down far enough
to put the
cotter pin in. Keep in mind we are working with a frame
only. I don't know if you will have enough clearance or not to get the spring
compressor rod
into the top of the upper control arm while the body is on
the car. Hope this helps.
From: Rick Schaefer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:58 AM
To: The Chevelle Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Spindle
On 10/11/06, Matthew
Post <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
As someone else suggested, you need to get some weight on it. Either by using your jack under the lower A-arm. Or finish out the rest of the job, put the tire back on, and lower the car down. Then you will be able to tighten the castle nut to spec.
Hope this helps.
-Matt
At 03:58 PM 10/11/2006, langus wrote:
Jim
I couldnt even get the nut on far enough to get the cotter pin in before the nut was bottomed out. I havent had a chance to fight with it yet so I am still working on the solution.....
Ryan
--
Rick Schaefer
72 TPI El Camino
