Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

Whats the best coil spring compressor for Ford front suspension?

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

What style of Ford front suspension? For the unibody shock tower type, I always used the regular 4 hooked threaded compressor. What I did, was remove the front shocks, drop the compressor inside the spring from above, using a leaf spring U bolt on top of the tower for the compressors upper hooks to grab, and then used the screws nut to compress the coil enough so that I could unbolt the upper control arms inner shaft bolts, and swing the arm out of the way, and then release the tension on the spring, to remove it.

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

https://www.autokrafters.com/images/...dium/22851.jpg

the best i've ever used.

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

All of those are good unless you're working on a 64 Fairlane. They are a different animal. A real mean animal.

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

for the record old springs are out of the car and im trying to get the new ones compressed enough to put them in. How does the Auto krafters one work for springs outside the car?

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

and the old shock tower type front suspension with a unibody frame

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26538118453...wAAOSw7p9hewZ4

This is the coil spring compressor I have, it's actually made by Branick. I'm a GM guy but a friend that restores old Fords borrows this every time he replaces coil springs and says it's the best he's ever used.

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

The Branick spring compressor is, by far, the best one out there. IF you can find one.
I've never understood why they quit making them other than I would imagine there is a liability issue.

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

On my 68 Mustang I use the common double hook type that don't fit down the shock towers on old Ford products. I pulled the pins from the lower set of hooks so they come off. I drop the compressor in from the top and slip the lower hooks in from the sides between the coils. I use cotter pins or short bolts to secure them. Then twist with a wrench to tighten. There are better specialized tools, but this works. For me...

Re: Coil Spring Compressor for 1971 Ford
 

I have good compressors, but on a recent Ford deal and drag race springs, I ended up leaving the ball joints hooked up and pulling the lower control arm bolts. Used a strap to control the spring and keep it from wanting to push the arm out. Floor jack it up into place.

Sounds hinky, but worked for me. They are not easy.

Be careful with Chinese copies of good compressors. The metal isn't the same and these tall springs can cause them to fail at the worst time.