Instructions for changing front springs on 54

1

1fastgramp

Junior Member
I bought the Aerostar springs and new shocks for my 54 Customline. I've never replaced front springs before. Are there any step by step instructions. Thank you in advance.
 

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your best bet is to either rent or buy a spring compressor, they are around $30, they consist of a 1" threaded rod with two sets of arms that grab the spring coils and compress it so you can lower the lower control arm so the spring will come out, the compressor folds up enough so it can be slipped thru the shock hole in the lower control arm
 
Taking them out I don't use a compressor. I hang a Moog clip on the inside (towards the center of the car) of the spring while it's still in the car under compression. Once I break the ball joint and drop the lower arm, the spring takes an arc and it comes out a lot easier.

I always use a compressor putting them in, think I paid $65 for mine back in 1985. It has the 4 hooks and is very well-made.
 
I have the spring compressor and the pickle fork but I've never done this before and you know the saying about a picture being worth...I went to the link supplied above but there was nothing there. Thanks for the info. joe
 
Everything I read about compressing springs is scary as hell. Can't I just cut the old spring with a torch? I'm never going to use them again.
 
1fastgramp ,why not put a city in your profile along with your state, maybe some one may be near you that could help
 
you can just cut the spring, but you will still need to compress the new one to get installed, the coil spring compressor we are talking about goes inside the spring, so even by some miracle it slips it cant go any where
 
I have some written instructions about front spring removal, which i did on my 54 (twice). Send me a PM with your email address and I will send them to you.

You will not require a spring compressor, but a floor jack is needed
 
with the jack the spring will stll be under compression, and if you pry it out it will go flying
 
I've done so many springs in my day, its actually pretty easy once you've done a few.

Pull out the shocks. Block the rear wheels.

Jack 1 side up under the lower control arm (need a decent floor jack). Place a jack stand under the frame rail, just behind where the front kick is. Let the car down a hair so the frame touches the jack stand.

Undo the stabilizer link and upper ball joint (break taper with pickle fork or use a BFH on the side of the knuckle). Some like to do both the upper and lower ball joint to get the spindle out of the way.

Insert the compressor through the lower shock hole, catch the 2 top hooks as high on the spring as possible. Position the lower hooks, take a look to make sure they grab the whole coil.

Tighten the compressor from the bottom. Once the spring is loose (can be jiggled up & down a bit), lower the floor jack slowly and get ready to catch the spring.

Sit the spring on the floor or bench, loosen the compressor and remove it.

Just do the reverse for the install. I always use new insulators. You can tape or wire them to the spring.

Bob
 
paul2748 said:
I have some written instructions about front spring removal, which i did on my 54 (twice). Send me a PM with your email address and I will send them to you.

You will not require a spring compressor, but a floor jack is needed
Click to expand...

I agree with Paul. You don't need a spring compressor, in fact IMO it gets in the way. Use a good floor jack and have the car on jack stands high enough that the lower A arm swings all the way down. The '55 Ford Shop manual describes how to do it like this. (I'm sure the other years do also).

ford3 said:
with the jack the spring will stll be under compression, and if you pry it out it will go flying
Click to expand...

The spring is only under compression until you lower the jack and no there is no prying it out when the A arm is swung all the way down. I have never seen a spring "go flying" but if that is a concern loop a chain thru it until the tension is off.

You will have an easier time installing the Aerostar springs because they are shorter than the stock ones.

I wouldn't recommend using a pickle fork on your ball joints unless you plan to replace them either.

There was a thread a while back where I described how to do it. Email Paul as he has them readily available.
 
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I tried the jack method and it worked great. No flying springs. I did use the pickle fork and now have to wait for the ball joints as no one in town carries them. I started the jack down slowly and stood outside until it was down:o! Thanks to all for the advice. Joe
 
As some side notes (maybe a last note??) the ball joints in 54 to 56 Ford and 55 to 57 Birds are probably one of the toughest going. Be sure yours are bad because unless they have been completely neglected, they are probably good.

Another thing - if you use a pickle ford on the joints and the washers and seals get screwed up, replacements are available. I know I can get them from CASCO so I assume the other suppliers have them.
 
A much better tool than using a pickle fork without the risk of damaging the ball joints can easily be made with a piece of pipe, a large stud, washer and nut.

Here's a picture of my homemade ball joint separator chingadera;

8144911526_e89015a3db.jpg


And here's Ford's version in 1955 Ford Shop Manual;

9885335233_19706c4426.jpg
 
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changing the front spring on your car is like changing the front or rear spring on the model a, you need the proper tool, if your new at it get the right tool, the spring compressor and be safe, there are lots of ways to change the spring, but only one safe way, get the compressor, its your body that can get hurt
 
1fastgramp said:
I tried the jack method and it worked great. No flying springs. I did use the pickle fork and now have to wait for the ball joints as no one in town carries them. I started the jack down slowly and stood outside until it was down:o! Thanks to all for the advice. Joe
Click to expand...

Anyone who has never done one before, I'd recommend to use a compressor for their first time. I've always just let the jack down slow. True, you can damage a ball joint boot with the pickle fork.

I used to just loosen the ball joint nut and whack the side of the spindle with a 3-lb hammer and it would break the joint.
 
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