Cascade Crew

fbird82 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:25 am Post subject: Engine crossmember

I'm planning to uninstall my engine crossmember this weekend and was just wondering what's all involved. I need to make sure the coil springs stay in their place, correct? I was figuring on keeping pressure on them with a couple of jacks placed under the a-arms, would this work? Doesn't the crossmember only have 4 bolts, or are there some hidden somewhere? If someone can give me some good info about this, that would be great.

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:

you are going to have to remove the a-arms and springs.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:37 am Post subject:

and motor mount. And hold the motor up with a cherry picker or hoist of some sort.

Why you taking the member out?

fbird82 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

This is gonna sound stupid but, I was wanting to change the motor mounts for my Iron Duke to V8 conversion, and I "thought" it would be easier to remove the crossmember and put it on a bench and work on it there. It would sure beat laying under the car in the hot SW Idaho sun.

Anyway, there is no engine in the car right now, and after looking at it again, I was wondering if it would be possible to remove the a-arm bolts and let it come down just far enough to allow easier access to the bolts. I don't want to disturb the coils if I don't have to. They will need changed, I know, but I was gonna get Les Schwab's to do it.

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject:

springs are sooooo easy to change. don't get me wrong, it is physically difficult, it takes strength, we are not talking interior plastics easy, but it does not take a great amount of mechanical skill. you will need a spring compressor, but you can buy those for like $25 @ your local auto parts store. if you can get an engine out you can change springs.

it would probably cost you more then your new springs to have les schwabe install them.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

blue89 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:17 pm Post subject:

If you cut 2 coils out of them, they go back in just fine! Lol, its not too terrible to put them back in. I've usually left the a-arm slack, put the spring up to the upper spring cup, and then use a jack and a big pry bar to push the spring up to the lower perch on the a-arm.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

I've put stock ones back in just fine.

Right now I have 3/4 coil cut off IROC springs and they go in super easy.

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

without a compressor? do you just get like ten people to stand on your hood or what?

blue89 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject:

I guess it depends on the springs? I have the some in the V6 car that are about 500in/lbs. Those are a PITA.

fbird82 · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:52 am Post subject:

I don't plan on changing the springs yet, I'm just trying to figure out an easier way to swap out the motor mounts. Can the a-arms be lowered enough to get a wrench in through the holes where they connect to the crossmember?

chevymad · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

The A-arms cant be lowered at all without taking the springs out. As soon as you take the bolts loose without having the spring in a compressor its going to try to either launch the a-arm or the car. If the motor was in the car it could be possible. But that doesnt sound like the safest method. Compressed springs are dangerous. You wouldnt want the jack to slip off the a-arm. When I'm working around them, I usually run a safety chain through the spring, so that if it comes loose it doesnt kill someone. I had a spring come out of a spring compressor one time while changing struts. That thing was compressed down to probably 15" long.. but uncompressed it was 2.5 ft long. Went up 20ft and made a nice dent in the roof.

Since there's no motor in the car, you'll probably have to have a spring compressor. Either that or a few big friends sitting on the front end. lol

fbird82 · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject:

I have the car up on jackstands with the suspension hanging, but I guess that won't make a difference. I'll just have to remove the motor mounts the normal "fun" way. Smile

fbird82 · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

Well, I finally got the old motor mounts out yesterday and installed the v8 mounts this morning. Only took about 1 1/2 hours. I'm so glad I listened to you guys and didn't mess with the crossmember! All it took was some patience, a few choice words, and getting the wrench at the proper angles to hold the bolts. I used Prothane inserts, and I'll also use a Prothane mount for the tranny.

Now, on to the SFCs!

Xophertony · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:39 am Post subject:

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

well if the car was originally equiped with the 4 gang banger you may want to upgrade to the V8 springs

Al Hasse · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

fbird82 · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

Sounds good, I may have to take you up on that!