| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Martin Experienced User Username: jeff_r_1 Post Number: 108 Registered: 07-2018 |
I had a look at the service bulletin and there is this rather large tool to compress the spring that hooks itself onto the frame, is there any other way to remove the spring(s) other then using the tool ? Could one remove the upper control arm (shock absorber) and allow the spring to expand as the car is jacked up ? http://rrtechnical.info/mkvi/r/bull/8.pdf | ||
| Kelly Opfar Frequent User Username: kelly_opfar Post Number: 254 Registered: 07-2004 |
I know one knucklehead who has the correct tools available: https://www.britishtoolworks.com/product-page/rr-b-epw-front-spring-compressor https://www.britishtoolworks.com/product-page/epw-front-spring-decompression-pot-std416 http://BritishToolWorks.com | ||
| Jeff Martin Experienced User Username: jeff_r_1 Post Number: 110 Registered: 07-2018 |
Yeah, it would be nice if there was a deposit and rental option. I like to have my specialty tools around, but for a one time use _ well you know. Maybe next year, we'll see, the front suspension needs to be taken apart, cleaned, painted and reassembled. | ||
| Christopher Carnley Unregistered guest Posted From: 86.159.149.215 |
It is very dangerous to remove the spring by any other means.You also need two inner threaded bolts to insert into the compressed spring to get it out. Then if you release the load you need a "pot"to compress the bugger. Where are you as I have the service tools and for a substantial deposit, you could borrow it fora couple of hours. Kelly Opfar at British Tool Works makes modern sets.  (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Tim North Unregistered guest Posted From: 5.80.57.103 |
If you want to do the job safely and easily the answer is no. All alternative methods are uncertain, involve a lot of fiddling and substantial risk of damage to you and the car. The correct tool makes the job a cinch and all but removes the danger. Fortunately it is no longer necessary to rely on the RREC or a RR specialist to get hold of the tool. Kelly Opfar at British Tool Workshttps://www.britishtoolworks.com makes them. I changed the springs on my car using a tool hired from the RREC but that source appears to have dried up. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Jeff Martin Experienced User Username: jeff_r_1 Post Number: 112 Registered: 07-2018 |
Thanks everyone. I'm in Canada Chris, so sending such a valuable tool may be risky to send it that far. Just looking at the way it's designed, there is a hole in the lower control arm. It looks pretty feasible to take a large piece of 3/4 inch ready rod, compress the spring together with the lower control arm. Once the spring is held tight, the lower control arm can be disconnected from the chassis. The ready rod (upper or lower or both) bolt can now be carefully unscrewed to release the tension of the spring from the lower control arm. | ||
| Carl Heydon Experienced User Username: car Post Number: 168 Registered: 02-2004 |
I have done the job by carefully lowering the bottom arms together with the center pan but I would not recommend the process | ||
| Jeff Martin Experienced User Username: jeff_r_1 Post Number: 113 Registered: 07-2018 |
Thanks Carl, how long did the spring get when compared with the weight of the car on it ? It may be hard to tell though. | ||
| Carl Heydon Experienced User Username: car Post Number: 169 Registered: 02-2004 |
That will depend on which springs are fitted. I replaced the Home Market springs with Colonial. The original spring is approx. 390mm and I seem to recall that the replacement ones were a bit shorter but considerable heavier gauge. There are numerous small bolts and nuts holding the pan and realigning them while raising it is a difficult process. I used a handful of pin punches and screwdrivers with lots of 'adjustment'. This is definitely the WRONG WAY, but my spring broke the day before leaving for the Federal Rally so it was an evening drive to Brisbane to pickup springs and they were going in the next morning 'though hell should bar the way'. | ||
| Christopher Carnley Unregistered guest Posted From: 217.44.224.35 |
Having done it myself before I made the compressor, the big problem is that the bottom arm swings on an arc, and any threaded rod thicker than 12 mm diam gets jammed. (Message approved by david_gore) |
