| Author | Message | ||
     Sam Hayes (Mulesnx) Member Username: Mulesnx Post Number: 43 Registered: 09-2003 |
Just wondering if there was a way to remove a front OME springs without a compressor? any trick??? | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Senior Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 327 Registered: 06-2003 |
Un bolt the radius arms and the spring seat. Shouls get low enough to slid out. A rubber mallet could help too. | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 243 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hi Sam - it depends on how big a jack you have - in one sense yes you can - but you need to clear the spring tension and you (if memory serves me right) need a really big bar - scaffold pole works just as well to lever down on the axle to get enough clearance to get the spering out. JMHO but I'd probably go with the compressors - $20 - 30 from Halfords (autozone). BTW the install is alot easier than taking them out. Jeff | ||
| Sam Hayes (Mulesnx) Member Username: Mulesnx Post Number: 44 Registered: 09-2003 |
Jeff and Rick. thanks. That is what I thought. It is a real pain the butt, huh. Oh well. The ride makes it worth it in the end. | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 1023 Registered: 02-2003 |
Of course spring compressors is the correct and safe way to go, but you can use this trick at your own risk: Get 3-4 (or more) big, heavy duty hoseclamps, and put them around the coils to keep the spring compressed as you jack up the frame to drop the axle. To compress the new spring, jack up the rear end, put the spring underneath the trailer hitch and lower the car on it. You probably need a cinder block, or big block of wood underneath the spring to get it high enough. Put a bunch of hoseclamps around the coils the keep it compressed so you can easily install it up front. As I said, this trick works, but do it at your own risk. - Axel | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 144 Registered: 02-2003 |
If you go without a spring compressor, careful not to drop the axel so far as to tug on your brake lines...  | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 581 Registered: 04-2003 |
I just jacked up my '97 and then used a small bottle jack to lower the axle a little and slide out the out and in with the new.... | ||
| Phil (Discoanywhere) Member Username: Discoanywhere Post Number: 152 Registered: 06-2003 |
i used Joeys method...worked great just make sure the bottle jack is in there good and doesn't slip... | ||
| CJ SZPILA (Crash05) Senior Member Username: Crash05 Post Number: 292 Registered: 11-2002 |
If you have an Autozone near to you they loan you tools, such as a spring compressor for free. All they do is put a charge on your credit card incase you don't bring it back. Check it out | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 627 Registered: 11-2002 |
factory bottle jack works perfect....but do watch the brake line....I would say perfect time for longer brake lines if you are going to taller springs. | ||
| Joseph DeLautre (Mudderducker) New Member Username: Mudderducker Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2004 |
Make sure you jack it up and put it on stands first. However, the spring compressor I rented (because I intended to go by the instructions posted in the tech section here) had the bolt going through the middle of the spring. Looking at this, and understanding the tension that would be on the spring when the bolt was released; I honestly don't know how anyone has ever used one of these. I unbolted the sway bars (which I later removed) and loosened the shock bolts (rear, you have to on the front) and I was able to get the wife to push down on the axle while I pulled out and put in the springs. This was so incredibly easy, I wish I hadn't wasted the three trips to Autozones to find a compressor. The thing that took me the most time was jacking up the truck and positioning the jack stands. If I had to do it again, I don't think it would take longer than two hours. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 684 Registered: 11-2002 |
I did mine with no spring compressor. I used joey's method. It went a lot quicker that when I did a buddie's 4-runner with a spring compressor. I would use a combo of Joey and Axel's methods. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 189 Registered: 03-2003 |
For the rear, I just positioned the floor jack forward of the trailing arms and put the bottle jack under the axle on the same side. Jack the the axle up to get the wheel off. Then jack the body up slightly with the floor jack. If you want added safety you could rest the body on a jack stand. Then lower the bottle jack to drop the axle. I found that the brake lines would extend just enough to get my OME springs out on the left. On the right, I unbolted the brake bracket on the top of the diff. This lets the brake lines stay put and lets the axle drop just enough to get the right spring out. I also needed to unbolt the lower shock mounts. I used an internal spring compressor from Autozone on the front, but I have external shock mounts. | ||
| Tbow (Tbow) Member Username: Tbow Post Number: 184 Registered: 12-2002 |
It never ceases to amaze me how people will try something very dangerous to save 20 bucks. You want to jack up the vehicle how high? and then use a bottle jack to compress and release what? or use hose clamps to hold what? That spring is under tension and if it decides to let go what is your finger, hand or worse life worth. Trust me it happens. Maybe not to you but it will and has to someone. You can buy the spring compressor from Harbor Freight for 20 bucks. Or better yet get it free at a local Autozone.. Compress the springs and get it out safely. Just so you know, sometime, I see my own techs (who should know better) do dangerous or I call it bonehead things and it make my blood boil and quickly put a stop to it and make them get the right tool. | ||
| Tbow (Tbow) Member Username: Tbow Post Number: 185 Registered: 12-2002 |
Didn't mean to insult anyone just want everyone be safe when working on your cars. I'll get off my soap box now.. Tim | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1496 Registered: 02-2002 |
TBow you're not insulting anyone. If it won't come out with flex, then get the right tool: I don't like being anywhere near a compressed vehicle spring, even with the right tools. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43753 | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 422 Registered: 02-2003 |
another way is to drive up onto ramps placed at opposite front and rear tires. this will stuff the tires. Put a bottle jack on the radius arm mount of the tire on the ground, raise,remove tire, lower bottle jack. watch the brake and abs line, lower until the spring comes out. I've used this an my D2, a D-90 and a 2001 jeep. Pretty safe, and it will work on lifted trucks.. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 190 Registered: 03-2003 |
You still have to jack up the truck by the axle to use a spring compressor. I had trouble balancing the rear axle on the floor jack. So for me the method I mentioned above was infact safer. The spring is totally uncompressed in the process which is totally safe. It seems to me Tbow that you were stating that unless you use a spring compressor you are unsafe. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 691 Registered: 11-2002 |
When I did mine, I didn't need to compress the springs to get them out, so it wasn't all that dangerous. I just jacked it up, put the frame on stands, unhooked the shocks, and slowly let it down. Removed the retainers and the springs came right out. Lowered it down a little more, and put my new (RTE 3") springs in. A spring compressor was not necessary with that much travel. | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Senior Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 306 Registered: 11-2002 |
I tried a spring compressor and found it very dangerous due to spring bowing and limited workspace. The bottle jack method was simple and there was no tension on the springs at all - and even if the bottle jack slipped, the seated spring would not allow the axle to move much (with no spring, there was no danger). Implicit in this is don't stick yer head in between the axle and frame. http://www.4x4wire.com/rover/disco/tech/ome/ joe | ||
| Ryan Roundy (Rrefxut) Member Username: Rrefxut Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2003 |
T Bow has a point, back when I lifted mine, I was told to use two C style vise grips to compress the spring, worked fine on the white rover, and on most of the springs on the green one, but installing the last spring, one of the vise grips slipped and popped off, caching my wrist between the spring and mount for only a second. the result was 10 stitches in my left wrist, and a nasty scar that everyone seems to speculate about. So do procede with caution. Ryan | ||
| Tbow (Tbow) Member Username: Tbow Post Number: 186 Registered: 12-2002 |
I am not saying the a spring compressor is the only way to do the job safely. Yes, I'm sure there are ways to do this job without the spring compressor. But follow basic safety precautions and support the vehicle properly i.e. by the frame WITH a jackstand (not by a jack) and then don't use items i.e. hose clamps, that are not designed to be used for that purpose. But I just had visions of LR being balanced on a floor jack with the tires off and a bottlejack under the lower arm or axle with a hoseclamp holding a compressed spring and someone under the vehicle trying to break loose a tight bolt. 20 years ago, I worked at a truck dealership. One of the guys was using a floor jack to support a tractor while working on the hub. Without any notice the jack blew a seal and down came the truck and instantly 7 fingers gone. He knew he should have put a jack stand under the axle. BUT think about it, how many times have you done it this way? I know I had. Bottomline, a 4,000 LB vehicle with a compressed spring is no joke. It's fun to work on your LR, but if you think it's "kinda, pretty, or should be safe" I just ask to just take a second to think again. I've seen way too many accidents when someone tells me "don't worry, I've done it this way a hundred times". | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 695 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes, Of course... Use jack stands to hold the frame up. Forgot to mention that earlier. | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 90 Registered: 09-2003 |
Has anyone here read the destructions on how to do this job that are posted on this web page? Pretty simple and clear they are. I used spring clamps on my front end thinking it would be easier and save time over disconnecting the sway bar - boy was I wrong. Be safe; ensure you have good jacks supporting the frame, and adequate "roll back" protection, so everything is nice and stable. I always put the removed wheel on its side under a frame rail so if something did happen I'd have that little bit of space to be trapped in rather than have the truck on me if something did happen. Be very careful of your brake lines, especially once the sway bar is disconnected as you can drop the axle way further than the line will allow. If you were installing some really extended lift springs you'll need to do the brake lines anyhow, so you could do the whole job in a sequence that would still allow you to not need the clamps. Eliminating the need for clamps for this application too. The rear end is even easier than the front. The time taken to simply disconnect the sway bar is worth it, and I think safer, as I had the spring clamp I was using slip on the spring - that is pretty scary - thank goodness my fingers where not in the way! And I had the threads strip off of one of the clamping screws, when that happened that got my attention quick as well. So if you are renting a set be sure they aren't renting you crap! My feeling is I could have saved time, money and been safer by disconnecting the sway bar and paying attention to what the heck I was doing. Which is what I ended up doing once the clamp set I started with crapped itself. All in all it's an easy job that doesn’t take too much time, smarts or ambition to do right. Be careful and have fun! B |
