Ihatefiberglass

I have a 1956 olds 88. Is it possible to get the front coil springs out without a spring compressor?

oldcutlass

Yes, if the engine is still in the car, you can use a floor jack to lower the lower control arm.

Ihatefiberglass

Thanks! got em out : )

paulbuiltbird

That's how I did it through my teenage years before I even knew there was a tool.

Aqua67

If you look at the photos of my car as one members said the car looks lowered. I want to raise it to where it should be, will new Springs do the trick or do I need both shocks and springs? I'm thinking I might as well replace boat if I'm going to do one or the other. Any thoughts?

Olds64

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but to answer your question Aqua, if your car has original springs in it you can replace them and it should return the car to the original ride height. The problem will be running into too many MAWs while you are replacing the springs. It would be too easy to replace the shocks, control arm bushings, ball joints etc. while the springs are being changed.

redoldsman

Shocks will not raise he height of your car. Springs should if your old ones are worn out.

Ihatefiberglass

When should coil springs be replaced? Do these look reusable? Best I can tell, I don't see any cracks. They are off my 1956 olds.

oldcutlass

They should be replaced when the car height starts dropping lower than stock, lower than you want it, or when they break.