BETTY RUMBLE - '87 Cutlass
- Thread starter GP403
- Start date
- Status
I used the OTC balljoint press to install the lower balljoints when I did my front end. It was on the 'loan-a-tool' program at O'Reilly but I didn't bring it back in the prescribed amount of time so it is mine now. I wish they would have pointed that out to me when I went and got it, but that is neither here nor there. The first one went in with no issues. The second one started crooked. I ended up having to press it out, re-clock it slightly and try again. I did have to have my brother out there to help me. I don't remember exactly what the issue was but it took two pairs of hands to get it done.
Yeah I know. I was learnt that once they're bent you're not supposed to use them again. Also j/k.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
FINALLY got the a arms back this morning. Took their sweet time. Put the bumpers on, touched up the paint. Gung ho man let's get this done.
Ah crap you know what I forgot? The 1/2" bolts for the new bushings. Plus my drill broke due to operator error... so a run to lowes for hardware, drill, and bit. Widened the holes, I probably could have just used my cordless, would have been better on my wrists anyway.
Put the a arms up, and go to compress the new UMI springs. Hmm. Wait. New compressor is actually too long and the shaft too big to get thru the shock hole. Crap.
Pieced together a frankencompressor from both kits, using the shorter shaft from the old one but with the claws off the new instead of that sketchy fork plate thing. That almost got it. Almost. Still too long, and the spring won't bow enough. These things are short and stout. Only one thing left to do.
Attach the spindle and try installing it from the bushing side. This will work I think, but it will take two people, one to man the jack and another (me) to guide the arm back into place. I'm not 100% comfortable with this option (no compressor) but as far as I can tell it's the only way.
Kids still at school so I'm done for today. This thing needs to be done this week! Starting to feel like an episode of roadkill here.
Ah crap you know what I forgot? The 1/2" bolts for the new bushings. Plus my drill broke due to operator error... so a run to lowes for hardware, drill, and bit. Widened the holes, I probably could have just used my cordless, would have been better on my wrists anyway.
Put the a arms up, and go to compress the new UMI springs. Hmm. Wait. New compressor is actually too long and the shaft too big to get thru the shock hole. Crap.
Pieced together a frankencompressor from both kits, using the shorter shaft from the old one but with the claws off the new instead of that sketchy fork plate thing. That almost got it. Almost. Still too long, and the spring won't bow enough. These things are short and stout. Only one thing left to do.
Attach the spindle and try installing it from the bushing side. This will work I think, but it will take two people, one to man the jack and another (me) to guide the arm back into place. I'm not 100% comfortable with this option (no compressor) but as far as I can tell it's the only way.
Kids still at school so I'm done for today. This thing needs to be done this week! Starting to feel like an episode of roadkill here.
I know it's dangerous but I have never used a spring compressor on anything but a strut. I've always set the spring in the top pocket with the lower arm attached at the bushings and the spindle hanging on the upper ball joint.i then put a pry bar in from the bottom of the lower threw the shock hole to keep the spring in place as I jack up the arm when it gets part way up sometimes it needs to be rammed into the lower pocket with something heavy like the top of a sledgehammer and when it seats I just jack up the arm until I can install the lower ball joint. It's pretty simple actually I've done it that way sense I was a kid
GP403, as i said before it was a B***h getting those UMI springs in. After i bought and made that tool, it occurred to me why not just use a ratchet strap to pull the coil into the lower spring pocket...just an idea. Also i would just use one side of the hooks and put the compressor through the shock hole with some thick washers that way the spring will compress against the frame... Got my stickers BTW thanks!!!
you'd think it'd be easier to get them in, being a shorter spring... 🙄
installed fireturd springs in the Regal years ago without a compressor, and took half a day for 1 side.... I feel your pain. keep at it and you'll get it there!
installed fireturd springs in the Regal years ago without a compressor, and took half a day for 1 side.... I feel your pain. keep at it and you'll get it there!
Pro-tip. Never ask one of the more popular g-body groups on facebook for advice***. Holy crap makes me grateful for the lot of you guys. Figured that would be a fun experiment and its over now.
Started to do the no-compressor bit from the bushing side of the a-arms. I am really not worried about the spring just flying out, these have zero "bow" in them at all. I'd be more worried about the jack slipping sideways but it'd have to really move.
got one side up to about 3/4" away from good, and the spring starting picking the weight of the car up off the stands. Sigh. Load up the car with all my extra wheels and tires and it helped to a point, but still, no love.
One person (ONE) had a useful tip though, I'm going to try using a spacer in the compressor at the bottom end to keep the top end from sticking out so far. Either a chunk of gas pipe or a stack of washers. The only concern I have there is the pipe collapsing or cracking/shattering under the load. The more I think about it the washers seem like the safer option, but that should get it compressed enough. Why I didn't think of this I don't know.
And yeah, this looks dumb and terrible, but there really isn't all *that* much there, a bunch of them are just tires with no wheels. I ain't worried.
*** almost nobody bothered to read the problem as described. "WTF you do that fo" "get a new hood now" "just use a compressor" "just do it like a normal spring" "why all dem tires on there yo"... yeah like I never thought of that already, like I said, thanks guys. I, just, ugh.
Started to do the no-compressor bit from the bushing side of the a-arms. I am really not worried about the spring just flying out, these have zero "bow" in them at all. I'd be more worried about the jack slipping sideways but it'd have to really move.
got one side up to about 3/4" away from good, and the spring starting picking the weight of the car up off the stands. Sigh. Load up the car with all my extra wheels and tires and it helped to a point, but still, no love.
One person (ONE) had a useful tip though, I'm going to try using a spacer in the compressor at the bottom end to keep the top end from sticking out so far. Either a chunk of gas pipe or a stack of washers. The only concern I have there is the pipe collapsing or cracking/shattering under the load. The more I think about it the washers seem like the safer option, but that should get it compressed enough. Why I didn't think of this I don't know.
And yeah, this looks dumb and terrible, but there really isn't all *that* much there, a bunch of them are just tires with no wheels. I ain't worried.
*** almost nobody bothered to read the problem as described. "WTF you do that fo" "get a new hood now" "just use a compressor" "just do it like a normal spring" "why all dem tires on there yo"... yeah like I never thought of that already, like I said, thanks guys. I, just, ugh.
- Status
Similar threads
