I DID IT!!!!! Called two machine shops and one front-end shop and they said they beat them out with a hammer or used an air-chisel. I said....No Way!!! I went to my local Advance Auto Parts Store and they have a Tool Loaner Program. I got their 5-pc. Front-End Fork Kit (which I didn't have to use) and their 23 pc. Ball Joint/U-Joint Service Kit. The Ball Joint Kit has a BIG "C" clamp and numerous cups and ends. It worked great. The whole job took me about 5-6 hours. Thanks....for all your suggestions!!!!      Ron

Still Livin In The 50's!!!  '55 Tudor Customline with a 312ci Merc/4-Speed/Granada Rear.

Thanks guys for all your hints and help!!!! I'm going to tackle the job after New Years Day. Got to line up my buddy to help me. Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Love this forum....  Ron

Still Livin In The 50's!!!  '55 Tudor Customline with a 312ci Merc/4-Speed/Granada Rear.

The best way I have found removing the lower aframe is after shocks are removed,swaybar detached,car sitting on jack stands,have the floor jack sitting approx 1/2 inch below the aframe.When removing bolt from lower balljoint DO NOT remove all the way.Leave about 3/8 inch or so still attached and then use pickle fork the break the joint free and the bolt will not let it come totally loose.Then use the jack to pick the aframe up enough to finish removing the bolt on the lower balljoint,and as you lower the jack the aframe comes down and the spring comes out with no problem.And to answer the question on bushing replacement,let the machine shop remove the old bushings and they can press in the new ones without without damaging them.Do not try putting them in with a hammer.Napa can do this for you.I have been there done that and it works.

>Gary

-Gary Burnette-

I also have done it the same method as moonshadow. I got a chain, wrapped it around a couple of coils of the spring and the frame. This is to prevent it from going across the garage or into your chest. SAFETY FIRST. As it turned out the spring did not try to go south, but you never know. I took my A arms to a local front end shop and they pressed the old busings off and pressed the new ones on. Saved a lot a swearing for only a moderate cost.



Paul

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Take note there is a special spot for the spring to set in on the lower a arm other wise the car sits half an inch higher on one side...I also have used the jacking up method no spring compressor, just go slowly... Gerry

Lake Forest California  5th inf 77 Armor Div. VN 68/69

If you put your town and state in your signature

help might be closer than you think.

I forgot, detach the sway bar too. Mine have always come out fine this way. In fact I usually have to push down on the lower A-frame to get the spring all the way out. Safest way is with a compressor but I've never needed one on my 56. I have, however, seen springs leave the vehicle with a lot of force so be careful. Never stand in line with the spring when you lower the jack. I always work from the side when lowering OR raising the A-frame and spring.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

55,

          If you use the spring compressor, you can use the jacking method to compress the spring, then tighten the spring compressor and THEN lower the jack! May save some teeth or your face.

                                                            Frank/Rebop 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I usually put the car on Jack stands then jack up under the A-frame at the lower ball joint to compress the spring. I then disconnect the ball joints, tie rods and remove the shock. Then let the jack down SLOWLY! The spring will usually stay in the car and will slip out easily. For installing I reverse the process. The easy way to get the bushings out is go to your local mechanic that has a large press. It can be done in a large vise but I usually have the old ones pressed out and the new ones in.

By the way, insert commercial here,

I sell a set of polyurethane replacement bushing for the 54-56 Fords. You need to reuse your original metal shells but they work great. They include the upper spring pads. $125 a set plus shipping. I currently have them only in black. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

all parts stores sell a cheap spring compresser or jack up the car put some blocks of wood an inch or so away from the bottom a frame, use a pickle fork to pop the ball joints, undo the shock, now jack the  car up more until the spring unwinds  

Po ol Davie

Sparta , Tn.

All hints appreciated!!!! Is there a simple way to press out/in bottom A-Frame bushings? Do I need to take it to a machine shop for their press? Any tricks to removing the coil spring without it flying like a balloon letting out air? Thanks............Ron

Still Livin In The 50's!!!  '55 Tudor Customline with a 312ci Merc/4-Speed/Granada Rear.