In an attempt to apply antiseize compound to my GC sleeves, I realized that the perches are on much more tightly against the springs than when I initially installed them. Thus I just spent the past 4 hours hammering away at my rear spring perches with a hammer and flathead screwdriver to very slowly work the perch around.

Now that Im tired an all cut up, I know there is a wrench (I believe it's called a spanner wrench) that can clasp the notches on the perch to facilitate rotating them. Does anyone know where I can get one of these that will fit on a set of GC's (other than GC obviously)? I am also not sure if these things are adjustable or one-size-fits-all or what, so I'm curious about that also.

I realize this is off topic and there is this whole thing going on about cracking down to keep this forum on topic, but this is the ONLY forum I read and I figure there would be more people in here with GC experience than any other. If a mod feels this needs to be moved, I will understand.

EDIT: I found this. I wonder if this would work.

http://www.spohn.net/index.cfm...d=135





Modified by NB at 9:50 PM 7/25/2003

 

2 thoughts:

Your allen-head set screws are loosened right?

You jacked the corner of the car to unload the spring, right?

So, with the corner up - just use your hands to adjust the collar.

 

i actually removed the allen screws at one point (out of sheer desperation).

And the car was jacked up. When the collars were initially tightened it was done by hand (about as far up as I could....to give me less camber).

But now it seems as though the springs have magically become compressed under the collars, and they refuse to move. I got the right one off and there was no sign of stripping of the threads. It spun freely once the spring wasnt pushing on it anymore.

 

Do you think the sleeves are out-of round maybe due to some major bottoming out? I'm surprised at your dilema. I don't know what else to offer...

Are you trying to raise the ride height??

 

spanner wrenches are what are normally used, but often dont really work very well since they can only apply so much torque until the wrench slips. which then you use a solid screwdriver and hammer.

but i have another solution. use a screwdriver or anything to pry the spring up, which will release the pressure on the perch and easily spin. place the screwdriver on top of the center collar, and then just push up what you can of the spring. itll be just enough to give you a bit more of a twist of the perch, then reposition the screwdriver and repeat. helps to have two ppl do this of course.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
but i have another solution. use a screwdriver or anything to pry the spring up, which will release the pressure on the perch and easily spin. place the screwdriver on top of the center collar, and then just push up what you can of the spring. itll be just enough to give you a bit more of a twist of the perch, then reposition the screwdriver and repeat. helps to have two ppl do this of course.</TD></TR></TABLE>

well the springs almost seems to be slightly compressed (not more than 1/4 inch). and they are 600 lb/in springs, so they are already pushing on the perch with about 100-150lbs of force. i doubt i could move them up anymore with a screwdriver (even something a foot long will require a great deal of force to budge the springs).

 

remove the shock. seriously...

 

trust me, you can. you dont have to remove the shock. the little bit of force you push the spring up will be enough. you dont have to push it an inch, just 1mm....

 

I was actually almost to the point of disconnecting the pillow ball joint in my upper A arm to release the pressure on the spring, but I didnt have my ball joint removal tool.

I would have to decompress the spring anyway to remove the shock. So my problem would be over before I got that far.

I'll give your screwdriver idea a try Tyson. Thanks. I have a PCA DE this weekend and I dont think I wanna be screwing with this at the track, so I probrably wont give it a try until Sunday evening.

 

suit yourself. only takes 5 minutes...

 

What about just spraying the heck out of with Penetraiting lube? Then making sure you clean it all off? This usually works for me, but make sure you clean it all off so it doesn't attract even more dirt. The part not spinning is usually from dirt build up between the collar and ring. Spanner wrences don't really help all that much in my expieriences. Good luck man.

 

I usually do what Tyson said. I take a prybar and put some upward leverage on the spring and that unloads them just fine. It doesn't take much, and it makes the job incredibly easy, compared to the fighting with it you've probably had to do.

 

Unless I'm reading this wrong, have you had a friend push down on the wheel hub to "unload" the coils?

 

If you disconnect an end link won't it allow the wheel to driop more and decrompress the spring?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you disconnect an end link won't it allow the wheel to driop more and decrompress the spring?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Or take RJ's advice...The shock. I don't see why this wouldn't work.

W/my GC's..(they are not custom rates mind you) I usually just spray the threaded body w/electrical parts cleaner, to get all the grit out of it. Then I use a big *** set of pliers, and grab two of he slots, where the spanner wrench would go and tug away.

 

I used the Sears Craftsman (Crapman) strap wrenches for a bit, until the collars ate through the rubber strap snapping it and sending me flying backwards. I ran in the same problem you did where the collar was so tight against the spring that it was literally impossible to move by hand. I even sprayed mine down with WD-40 and penetrating stuff and still no luck.

I found a set of Spanner wrenches at Harbor Freight for $19 for a 5 set. Works like a charm now.

 

you can get that tool @ racerspartswholesale.com or maybe the link is racerpartswholesale.com

dunno and goodluck!

 

I got one of the wrenches from a skunk2 coilover kit from a friend. Works perfectly. I had the same compression problem with high rate springs and attempting to raise the car up some.

 

Folks, a word of advice. If you have stiff springs in the rear on adjustable height sleeves and then later decide to add a big rear sway bar....DISCONNECT THE ENDLINKS BEFORE TRYING TO MOVE THE SLEEVES.

(rear bar was holding the spring under pressure when jacked up)