Technical Replacing a front spring

[SillyBilly]

I am replacing a broken front spring and need advice/pictures
I have removed the broken spring and have the top bearing etc off.
I have 2 370mm long USPro compressors and have made a start but as I have a damaged hand am a bit stuck!
The bits of the original spring when uncompressed make a 17"spring. The new one is about18" without the top mount in position. The length of the shaft on the suspension unit is 11" to the bottom of the threaded part and 13" to the top. Perhaps it is compressed as the spring had broken? Does anyone know what it should be as I can’t pull it out?
The old spring has 5 layers and the new one has 6.
I can get the spring compressors to initially span 4 layers though it is difficult to place them 180 deg apart and keep them parallel. My first attempt is shown but I will start again.
I have attached a picture from Simon Denison's Multipla guide ‘How to Change the Front Strut Top Bearing and Mounting Block’. This shows 2 puny compressors spanning only 3 layers with hardly any slack taken up on the bolts!
My compressors are already bowing a bit. I could go on further but the length is still 15”.
Any advice welcome

 

[SillyBilly]

Still wondering about the length of shaft exposed.
Have wound the compressors up tight though it could go further. Still need another 5cm Anyone know how much there should be??
:bang:

 

[JamesAtthews]

Hi

For what it's worth, the lengths you have measured sound about right, both my Multi and Pug 406 needed the springs compressing by almost 1/3 of their length. My spring compressors were fine on my Ka and Rover's but they are not sufficient for the Multi. Having replaced my strut top mounts and swivel bearings recently, I bought the parts, removed the struts and took them to a local mechanic who charged me £25 to fit all parts to the shocks. All I had to do was to refit the struts to the car and hub. It was far easier and with no risk of personal injury (2 permanent gouges in fingers from a previous trial with the Pug. Money well spent for me, even though I've got deep pockets and short arms!

Cheers

James

 

[widemouthfrog]

+1 to all that James says. I did the same (cost me £20) and it was money very well spent. There's a lot of energy stored in the front springs and I didn't want to be anywhere near one if a spring compressor decided to let go. The struts are easy to handle and work with once they're all built up.

 

[SillyBilly]

Before I read your two replies I did the same. I have just got back from the garage in town who would have done it foc but I insisted he accept £10. He put one on the strut and then compressed the second spring and fitted my compressors. I hadn't got my thinking cap on as I will now have to borrow or buy another set of compressors to release the unbroken spring on the other side! No problem I will keep that one compressed and hope to use it should one go on my other equal age Multipla

 

[portland_bill]

Don't leave the spring compressed, it is a high risk of letting go. Due to the spiral nature, the compressors will always try to rotate to release the pressure.

Beg or borrow another set and change the other side. Or take off the strut and go see the man again.

Currently you have odd springs on the car, another bad idea.

 

[SillyBilly]

I will do it on Tuesday when the second set come. It won't be used before then. My double-jawed compressors will not move