MarcDeSoto Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 (edited) On my 48 Desoto, I am in the process of rebuilding the front end upper and lower control arms. I put in new coil springs about 25 years ago or so and I forgot how you take out the coil springs. If I remember correctly, you jack the car up off of the front wheels. Then you put a floor jack under the lower control arm and jack up, putting some pressure on the spring. Then you unbolt the lower control arm, I think. Then you lower the jack, and the lower control arm and coil spring fall down. Is this correct? I remember when I did it thinking "gee, this is easy!" Others had told me I would need coil spring compressors to do it, but that must be for later cars. BTW, the shop manual says nothing on this subject. Edited January 2, 2015 by MarcDeSoto Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 big difference sometimes between repair manuals..my Dodge and Plymouth book goes into this in the suspension section..look to the part labeled LOWER CONTROL ARM REMOVAL Quote
RobertKB Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 (edited) Very carefully! A lot of latent energy there. I believe what you are suggesting is the correct method as long as you have lots of weight on the front end, like the engine, doghouse, etc. Without the weight the car will just lift up and the spring will not compress. This is what I had to do to put the springs back in after rebuilding the front end. Car is braced upward but also at the sides as it will want take the path of least resistance so the front end needs to be firmly braced. I believe you have the engine in your car so you should be good. I agree with Tim that the instructions should be in your manual. Edited January 2, 2015 by RobertKB 1 Quote
Andydodge Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 Robert.......that's got to be the largest mopar tool ever seen............lol.............good to see ingenuity at work...........andyd Quote
RobertKB Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 Robert.......that's got to be the largest mopar tool ever seen............lol.............good to see ingenuity at work...........andyd I can give you the Mopar parts number if you are interested. 1 Quote
48ply1stcar Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 RobertKB Write up a spec sheet for that tool and sell it for $10. Quote
RobertKB Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Do you loan it out? Sure but you pay shipping. 1 Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Posted January 3, 2015 I couldn't find the instructions in my DeSoto shop manual covering 1946-50, unless instruction on how to put in new bushings in the control arms count. I did find the instructions on how to remove a coil spring in my Motor Manual though. Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 It's in my dodge manual.....under the front wheel suspension section. page 17 yours should be the same book only a different nameplate on it. Quote
Adam H P15 D30 Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 (edited) Drop a chain down the middle if you can. Will keep it from flying is it breaks free. Edited January 3, 2015 by Adam H P15 D30 2 Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Posted January 3, 2015 My DeSoto manual has a section on the front end suspension, but does not mention how to remove the control arms or the coil springs. Even in the chapter on the frame and springs, it doesn't mention how to remove the springs. Quote
_shel_ny Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 My Dodge manual also does not give the removal instructions, but it gives installation instructions for the lower control arm and spring. DeSoto should be similar. My camera was functional, and I was able to take these pics. Use at your discretion. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 A safety chain or heavy strap securing the bottom of the spring to the A-arm is a good thing to do. I always do it. 1 Quote
suntennis Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 I used a coil spring compressor loaned out from a auto parts store. Using a spring compressor is safe and does not require any external weight such as the cars body for it to do the job. The compressor used would not work in the normal manor because the top of the spring housing is not open. I reconfigured the compressor and used 2 grade 8 nuts to allow it to do the job. 1 Quote
suntennis Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 I used a spring compressor loaned by the local auto parts store which does not need any external weight for compressing the spring. The compressor would not work as designed because it was designed to be used on cars where the spring housing is open at the top. I reconfigured the compressor and purchased 2 grade 8 nuts to make it work. Once the spring was compressed enough, I removed the 4 bolts holding the top A arm to the frame and lowered the spring attached to the lower A arm and removed the spring. It took about one hour a spring. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Removing the lower A-arm pivot pin and lowering the lower A-arm with a floor jack is the safest and quickest easy way to remove the springs with the full body and engine--- if you do it properly. On a 4 post lift it's a wee bit different to do. But very easy too if you know what you are doing. By dropping the only the lower A-arm there is no need to deal with disconnecting the brake hose or shock to do it properly. Quote
fstfish66 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 as stated use a spring compressor,,,,unless your springs are so saggy,,,like mine were,,you can rent one for free,,,,at auto zone,,,they ask for a deposite,,same price as buying the tool,,,when you return it they refund your money,, and it worked great better then the ones i looked at for sale by the tool companies,,, put the car on jack stands, under the frame rails,,,you can use a floor jack on the lower control arm to assist you with the spring compressor,,,a litttle jacking,,,a little compressing,,,etc,,,un bolt your up right after you get a little pressure on the lower control arm wit hthe jack,,,i highly recomend securing the spring to the lower control arm,,,,chain and bolt,,,or i used a 1 inch wide ratchet strap,,,when you lower the jack and spring compressor,,,the spring will come down with the lower control arm,,and wont fly out and knock your head off,,, its a lot easier then it sounds,,,its the going back together that you need to take your time,,,make sure you put the flat spot of the coil up,,, i had eaton springs in detroit make me factory spec springs,,,they ride great,,,,good luck,,, Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 7, 2015 Report Posted January 7, 2015 Spring compressor is difficult on these old MoPars IMO. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Posted January 7, 2015 The last time I removed the springs, all I had for weight was the engine, no fenders or hood. but that was enough. I agree, there was no need for spring compressors on my 48 DeSoto. I just jacked the front end of the car up and put it on jack stands. Then I placed the floor jack under the lower control arm and jacked it up until there was no pressure on the lower control arm pivot bar. Then I removed the pivot bar attaching bolts and removed the pivot bar. Then I let the jack down which lowered the coil spring and lower control arm in a controlled safe manner. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 7, 2015 Report Posted January 7, 2015 When there is not enough weight on the bare chassis I use a tie down ratchet to pull the lower A-arm tight up against the spring enough to get the threaded pin into the knucke support and lower A-arm. Works well. Bob Quote
_shel_ny Posted January 7, 2015 Report Posted January 7, 2015 The last time I removed the springs, all I had for weight was the engine, no fenders or hood. but that was enough. I agree, there was no need for spring compressors on my 48 DeSoto. I just jacked the front end of the car up and put it on jack stands. Then I placed the floor jack under the lower control arm and jacked it up until there was no pressure on the lower control arm pivot bar. Then I removed the pivot bar attaching bolts and removed the pivot bar. Then I let the jack down which lowered the coil spring and lower control arm in a controlled safe manner. This should be flagged as "best answer" to the OP's question. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 7, 2015 Report Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) shel_ny, on 07 Jan 2015 - 10:46 AM, said:shel_ny, on 07 Jan 2015 - 10:46 AM, said:This should be flagged as "best answer" to the OP's question. Am I missing something here but was not the question asked by the same guy as to how and then blamo it is resolved by himself as a task previously done by oneself..I answered as I thought the question he asked was legit.. Edited January 7, 2015 by Plymouthy Adams Quote
RobertKB Posted January 7, 2015 Report Posted January 7, 2015 He basically said the same thing in his initial post and I believe he was looking for confirmation. That is how my manual states it should be done. I did mine differently as my engine was removed but with equally satisfactory results (see post# 3). It would be nice for the original poster (OP), who answered his own question, to let us know that all has been successful. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.