Bill :
IMO the spring pan and tower will make it impossible to use the external
type spring compressor, which is the type commonly found at rental
places (used for struts). If you can find an internal type universal
compressor, it might work, if it will collapse small enough to fit
inside a TR spring, and still have enough travel.
However, IMO it will be easier and safer to either buy or build
something similar to the one shown in the manual. To build one, obtain
(a hardware store should have everything) :
16" of 3/4" threaded rod
(3) 3/4" nuts to fit rod
(2) 3/4" flat washer
(1) 3/4" floor flange (plumbing departement) or large flat washer, 3-4"
in diameter with 3/4" or 1" center hole. I used a pulley half from a VW
Rabbit that was in the scrap box.
With the floor flange, you can probably just cut off two parallel sides
to leave a strip roughly 2.5" wide. For the flat washer, it's probably
better to drill (4) 1/2" holes, using the lower shock bracket as a
pattern. (This is what I did with the pulley half.)
To use this contraption, put two nuts on one end of the rod, and lock
them together (I added some Loctite stud&bearing mount). Then add a
flat washer and the large washer to the rod, and slide it through the
spring pan, spring, and the top of the spring tower, making sure the
large washer seats between the shock bolts. Now add the other flat
washer and nut to the top of the rod. I like to use a box end wrench to
hold the upper nut, and an impact wrench to turn the lower nuts.
Tighten the rod/upper nut until it pulls the spring pan roughly parallel
to the floor, undo the six nuts holding the spring pan to the lower A
arms, then undo the rod while first lifting the A arms so the rear studs
come free of the pan, then pulling the pan outwards so it doesn't foul
on the frame.
Having used the other types of compressors (on other cars), doing this
on my TR3 was so easy as to be laughable. Almost the easiest part of
the whole job.
Randall
59 TR3A daily driver
Billtr4@aol.com wrote:
>
> Hello all, All I have left to remove b4 POR painting my frame are the
> steering and front suspension. Can I use traditional spring compressors as
> found at the rental store or do I need to buy or make the TR type specific as
> shown in the big 3 and the factory manual? Are there any sites that may help?
> Also, do we have any recommendations on the color and/or finish of the
> front brake calipers and the dust shields?
> As always TIA
> BILLTR4 (gettin there)
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