redneckguy Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 well it was my first day out with my 89 cutlass and after school i dropped my girlfriend off and pulled out the driveway and the spring on the front left strut busted off and flew into the tire. i was so embarrassed! :oops: i had to get it towed home. i was just wondering if anyone has had that happen to them before, and i need to find out how to fix it. any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 Yes, I've had that happen when I was trying to replace the strut. I took the strut out, and with no strut holding everything in place, the spring tension moved the knuckle assembly. In a fit of mindless stupidity, I thought I could realign the knuckle if I just turned the steering wheel just a little bit. Well, that made the spring pop out sideways and wedge itself tightly in the wheel well. I had to borrow 2 sets of spring compressors. 2 sets, because one set to compress the spring as far as it would go, another set to compress the spring even further. This was the only way I could compress that foot and a half long spring to fit a space about 8" tall. It probably would have been easier to pull the knuckle, but I didn't have the tool that removes tierod and ball joint without damaging them. The safer way is probably to pull the knuckle. Safest way is to have it towed to a shop and have them fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okidedrak Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 I always told you Shawn DO NOT MESS WITH THE DAMN SPRINGS, they will blow your head off Unless you get the newer style springs which when they pop they only break your neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 What's the difference on the newer style springs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okidedrak Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 you forgot already? I told you, they dont extend much and when you compress them there is no fear that extremities will jump out if you dont compress the middle coils enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
913_4se Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 I had almost the same thing happen I was changing struts on a Caravan and the strut moved the spring came off and almost hit me Ending in a bad knee now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kp Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 The lower spring support rusted and broke loose on a 78 Honda Accord. The spring then expanded and sliced the tire 2/3 around the rim. The next problem I had was compressing the spring to install on the new strut. It took 2 sets of spring compressors. The first to compress the inner coils just so I could get the 2nd on the outer coils. That car was one POS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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