5660 Springs 9/25/2021

[melloelky]

Yes please , that would be great thank you

BSN-24-291699

 

[mikester]

Dropped the left side down last night. Spindles sitting on the floor. It looks like the springs are original. No markings except the letter S stamped into the side of a coil.
The lower control arm is getting another coat of hot rod black. Gotta find a ball joint boot in the right size and surprised to see the shock lost pressure. That happened to the KYBs that I put on before it went to the body shop. All four. I guess having the car on jack stands for an extanded period was the issue. These are just Monroes that I picked up at the local Advance and I kept the receipt so Im hoping they replace any that lost the charge.
I was at a cruise night tonight and a guy told me they make teflon pieces for spring compressors so the hooks dont damage the paint. Anyone ever hear of them ?

 

[melloelky]

Dropped the left side down last night. Spindles sitting on the floor. It looks like the springs are original. No markings except the letter S stamped into the side of a coil.
The lower control arm is getting another coat of hot rod black. Gotta find a ball joint boot in the right size and surprised to see the shock lost pressure. That happened to the KYBs that I put on before it went to the body shop. All four. I guess having the car on jack stands for an extended period was the issue. These are just Monroe's that I picked up at the local Advance and I kept the receipt so I'm hoping they replace any that lost the charge.
I was at a cruise night tonight and a guy told me they make Teflon pieces for spring compressors so the hooks don't damage the paint. Anyone ever hear of them ?

i needed a set of BJ boots and it was so much easier to buy a set of cheap BJ's for that application that had the boots i wanted compared to the universal ones out there.find a joint with the boot you want and throw the joint in the scrap bin,short money.
I've never heard of covers for the compressor fingers but Teflon's on the slipery side and the last thing anyone wants is that partictular tool moving around.i de-greased and wrapped mine with electrical tape,it worked.

 

[mikester]

i needed a set of BJ boots and it was so much easier to buy a set of cheap BJ's for that application that had the boots i wanted compared to the universal ones out there.find a joint with the boot you want and throw the joint in the scrap bin,short money.
I've never heard of covers for the compressor fingers but Teflon's on the slipery side and the last thing anyone wants is that partictular tool moving around.i de-greased and wrapped mine with electrical tape,it worked.

I thought about the teflon being slippery. Kinda wonder what other options there are. Paints going to be fresh. I can wait a few days. Thats a lot of pressure. Im not sure if theres another way. It would be hard to touch up a 2K paint.
The other thing is the right way of using the spring compressor.
I watched a video that a guy made using the OEM set that I have. I did three cars the same way. The threaded rod went through the shock hole. Hooks at a low point of the spring. All three washers under the head of the bolt. Tighten the bolt and the spring gets pulled up into the pocket on the frame. Seems people compress the spring on the floor using all three pieces in the set and put it in when its compressed. My way was pretty easy compared to what I watched.

 

[403Olds]

I thought about the teflon being slippery. Kinda wonder what other options there are. Paints going to be fresh. I can wait a few days. Thats a lot of pressure. Im not sure if theres another way. It would be hard to touch up a 2K paint.
The other thing is the right way of using the spring compressor.
I watched a video that a guy made using the OEM set that I have. I did three cars the same way. The threaded rod went through the shock hole. Hooks at a low point of the spring. All three washers under the head of the bolt. Tighten the bolt and the spring gets pulled up into the pocket on the frame. Seems people compress the spring on the floor using all three pieces in the set and put it in when its compressed. My way was pretty easy compared to what I watched.

I use the spring compressor through the shock hole, much easier this way. Also use a wrench to tighten the compressor seems to not let the fingers slip like an impact would.

 

[mikester]

I use the spring compressor through the shock hole, much easier this way. Also use a wrench to tighten the compressor seems to not let the fingers slip like an impact would.

I use a 1/2" long handled ratchet and a shallow socket. Takes a while but it seems a lot safer.

 

[mikester]

Another question for the guys that used the 5660 springs.
Rockautos specs have them at 13.25" relaxed height. The one that I pulled out of my car is over 15 1/2". Hows that going to work as far as the control arms and ball joints ? Will it put me at the same situation I was in with the dropped spindles as far as the tires/wheel combos ?

 

[81cutlass]

Another question for the guys that used the 5660 springs.
Rockautos specs have them at 13.25" relaxed height. The one that I pulled out of my car is over 15 1/2". Hows that going to work as far as the control arms and ball joints ? Will it put me at the same situation I was in with the dropped spindles as far as the tires/wheel combos ?

My stock F41 fronts (left) and 5660's (right)

It should work fine but actual ride height is a crapshoot. The 5660's are stiffer and shorter so if you have a factory v6 car and swapped a V8 into it the OEM springs have probably sagged over the years and the car rides lower than it did new. If you don't put tall lower ball joints in it will probably raise the car if you put stock spindles on. (plus there is literally no reason to not put the tall lower ball joints in)

 

[mikester]

My stock F41 fronts (left) and 5660's (right)

It should work fine but actual ride height is a crapshoot. The 5660's are stiffer and shorter so if you have a factory v6 car and swapped a V8 into it the OEM springs have probably sagged over the years and the car rides lower than it did new. If you don't put tall lower ball joints in it will probably raise the car if you put stock spindles on. (plus there is literally no reason to not put the tall lower ball joints in)


View attachment 180934

Pretty sure the car was always a V8. I just redid the whole front suspension before it went in for paint. Everything new. If the 5660 springs might raise the front a little thats fine. I just dont want the car to sit as low as it is now. Looks great but the 205 60s look like crap.

 

[DSPbuilt]

Mine just came in today. I plan to cut at least half a coil off the rip. I had them on the my El Camino(which I cut half a coil), I'll post pics in little bit.
I have UMI's older arms but I'm not sure what ball joints are on it, I'm sure its just regular ones.
While I love how low the front sits, the bump stops are touching with car just parked there.
I believe they are the stock coils the PO cut way too much. I just left them on when I put all the UMI stuff.
As for front weight reference
Elco was TPI SBC no compressor but the rest of the ac stuff was there.
Cutlass is currently iron block 5.3 with all AC components removed but it’s all goin go back along with a hair dryer. I do wanna find a aluminum 5.3 and I also plan to do a tube rad support.

Edit for pic: