Ford Focus springs

[norsa]

Got an 02 coming in tomorrow with a broken rear spring. Looks like remove the lower swing arm bolt and ARB drop link and jack it down. Anyone done one?
Nick

 

[octo0072000]

Got an 02 coming in tomorrow with a broken rear spring. Looks like remove the lower swing arm bolt and ARB drop link and jack it down. Anyone done one?
Nick

dont try to remove the wishbone bolts at the rear they seize in just have a google lots of info either cut the spring out or use spring clamps to get it out you will need clamps to get it back in

http://focusowners-social.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=7790

http://forums.focaljet.com/mk-i-suspension/628920-rear-springs-without-removing-lcas.html

another link to fit lowering spring

http://www.focushacks.com/mod/Installing_lowering_springs

 

[norsa]

interesting reading. thanks for that. i feel a gas axe moment coming on.

 

[octo0072000]

that sounds like the best idea to me just need to be a bit careful getting it back in

 

[normspanners]

I have done a few and compressed the spring in the spring compressor and wrapped a 1.5" wide ratchet strap round and round the coils but on each turn go round the wire of the spring so that the strap grabs the wire and doesnt slip then release the hydraulics on the compressor slowly till the strap gets a grip fit it to the car then jack the car up on that suspension to compress the spring in its cups, then release the strap easily with no pressure on it .

 

[ytre]

not the nicest of jobs, done a few and used the spring compressors, new one took a bit of working to get in, as said earlier don't remove the other bolts, they'll def ring off.

 

[ben8vgte]

Pain in the rear to do! I use the gas bottles to get the old one out, Then compress with a spring compressor and tie up with a couple of jubilee clip to get them in. I found my spring clamps to big to fit in, hence the jubilee clips..

I disconected the lower shock bolt to gain a little more travel, but cant remember if it made any difference now. Probley did a little..

 

[norsa]

like the jubilee idea. I was going to compress on the bench and tie the coils together like that but i also like the ratchet strap idea.

 

[ben8vgte]

Dont make the mistake I did and leave the clips nut pointing up, those one's got cut off

 

[norsa]

No problem with strength or slip though?

 

[ben8vgte]

None really, but I used the thicker heavy duty ones.

 

[norsa]

well, when the car came in, in the boot there was a long length of heavy duty bailer twine. Compressed the spring from 14 to 9" and bound it. Perfect. Thanks for the advice.

 

[normspanners]

heavy duty bailer twine

Its got to be strong it holds tractors together !!
Seriously thought we had a tractor break down and it meant having to travel back to get a strop, so towed it back to the farm with baler twine just used run after run to make a rope.
It took 5mins to make up the 'rope' .

 

[stuvy]

Nice one norsa youl charge more when people ring up with a focus now!

I once used a cut seat belt from a mates disco when the tow rope snapped after his cam belt went whilst off roading. That was a slow(er) drive home than normal!