KK87GTA

for front springs on a 87 gta.

ede

it sure would make your life a lot easier if you had one ,but i've done front coils without one before.

------------------
ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

Greg

Just rent one for free from Auto zone. The right tools make all the difference.

------------------
'89 Formula 383 TPI

Omar

They rent them for free at your Autozone? $5 per day here.

------------------
1989 IROC-Z 5.7L
NOS 150HP kit
ProBuilt 700R4, PI Vigilante 2800 stall lockup
Baer Brakes 12" Sport System

ViciousZ

iTrader: (1)

O'Reilly's rents them for free too. They call 'em The Widowmaker. Those things scare me... I had a problem with the compressor bottoming out at the top of the fenderwell, finally ended up using multiple jackstands and a jack for the project.

AT4 T/A

It would be VERY wise to get a compressor. When I helped my friend with his '88 Trans Am, we decided that the compressor was just an "added precaution." Bad idea...my bro just about lost his hand when that spring came flying out of the pocket. Now we're both a little older and wiser!

Craig84Z

iTrader: (2)

I just took the front springs off of my 84 Z28 and all you have to do let the a-arm fully extend and then stick a 4ft jack handle through the spring so it can't go flying and just pop it out.
Later,
Craig

------------------
84 Z28 305HO, 5spd, 220,000 miles, Edelbrock intake, Hedman headers, low restriction exh(w/cat), K&N air filter. Best 1/4 so far 14.649 at 94.77mph

MY87ROC

I rented one from checker (free) good thing
cause it did not work, threaded shaft was to long, used the same method as ViciousZ,
works but is dangerous.

------------------
TPIS airfoil,relocated MAT,AFPR,TB h2o bypass
March Underdrive Pulleys
otherwise stock 5.0TPI
700r4, 9 bolt 3.23 g92 axle, 4 wh. disc brks.

clemsparks

iTrader: (1)

Who can tell me what tool to buy (one that actually works) or which one to rent (if they'd have it by some random chance). I don't want to waste my time with the wrong tool

thanks
Clem

------------------
1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, (unfortunately) auto, NO T-tops---FOR SALE---
Looking for a V8, 4 or 5 speed Camaro with NO T-tops (wanna trade?)

ViciousZ

iTrader: (1)

Hey all, didn't they change the front suspension design somewhere in the 80's? I'm pretty sure they did because my 91 has the struts outside the springs, but a buddy of mine who had an older thirdgen said the front struts were inside the springs on his. Can someone enlighten me on this? If it's true it will make a major difference on what compressor to buy. I don't think the guys with the struts inside the spring will have as much of a problem with the compressor bottoming out. But if the strut is outside the spring, like mine, you could probably make a rented compressor work with spacers. Or if it's your own compressor, mabye cut the top of it off a little?

MY87ROC

ViciousZ, I don't know, never seen a
3rd gen with struts inside springs like
mcpherson struts, my 87 IROC has modified
struts, strut outside springs. I know the
mcpherson strut can be removed from
inside the spring with the assembly
removed from the car, but as we know the
modified strut like ours can not but I
read somewhere on here that there is a
spring compressor made for our style
spring set up, yeah another special tool
jeeez

------------------
TPIS airfoil,relocated MAT,AFPR,TB h2o bypass
March Underdrive Pulleys
otherwise stock 5.0TPI
700r4, 9 bolt 3.23 g92 axle, 4 wh. disc brks.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

We did the springs on my 86 Trans Am last wednesday. Just jacked up the front and put jack stands under the car. Then we used the hydraulic jack under the a-arm and let it down slowly. Then we put a bar up from the bottom of the a-arm through the springs to keep it in place when it popped out.
Matt Persman wrote tech article here that I used to do my install.

Here are some pics of my car with and withouth the springs.
http://www.leannrimes.cz28.com/springs.htm

------------------
Zepher
'86 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, LG4 305, 5 Speed, CF DF Clutch,
Edelbrock 1406 Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM 7101 Intake Manifold.
Edelbrock Open Element Air Cleaner: Flowmaster Exhaust, 160* Thermostat,
Grant GT Steering Wheel, MSD HEI Coil, Taylor 8mm Wires, Leather 96 Camaro SS Seats,
Alpine CD+Changer,Alpine V12 Amps, Premier TS-1040C Subs, Polk Audio highs/mids.
Best ET: 14.94@91.67
High Speed Run: 157mph
WS6 Trans Am

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

I rented a spring compresser free from Pep Boys when I did mine. It makes it a safer to do the job. Good luck, Lon.

------------------
90 RS Convertible
http://www.sc3gfb.org/members/lonsal.html
http://www.taskerinc.com/gs3/profiles/Lon_profile.htm

Ragin'87

the spring compressors you can rent usually just as dangerous, if not more so than none at all. There are high quality(read EXTREMELY expensive.) compressors for on car use in lower-A-arm upper bound spring applications from Snap-On, Cornwell, Matco, MAC Tools, all like that In anycase, a compressor reduces personal injury risks, but TAKE your time setting it up, if it gets put on slightly ****eyed, or a tang isn't on good, BOOM.. followed by many profanities, and possible hospital trips. Just take your time, it can be done with or without, either way safety first, take your time, and don't get in over your head.

Anthony

88IROCARMY

Use the jack method. Just take your time. Best way is to have the car on a lift and a floor jack under the A arm. Wrap a chain around the spring and another suspension component(range limiter). I question the state of those rented spring compressors. I did my IROC three times using this method. NOTE: LESSON LEARNED, the A arm is held by bolts that are different lenghts, something to remeber.(if you are removing it) Good luck