Minnesota Focus Owners Club

Tomorrow I am told I will FINALLY get my car back. Thanks to Steve I have the SVT kit from FRPP sitting in a box ready to swap in. I've been reading and so far I have found there are two options for the rear springs:

1. Pray the LCA bolt comes out and use a jack along with the LCA to unload the spring.

2. Get an internal spring compressor and get ready for some manhandling.

My underbody actually looks pretty good considering it's an '05 and it was stored most of the last winter. The LCA bolts themselves still look grey'ish in appearance although I understand the issue is with the bolt and the sleeve of the bushing. I'm concerned that if I bust the bolt I can look forward to some cutting and hitting Steve up for new control arms.

Option 2 seems more reliable but I've read that your standard internal spring compressor is a real PITA to get to work properly considering the layout and size of our rear springs. Steve I know you used a compressor for your multimatics (from your '06 post on FJ )

Any advice I need before I dive in? For Steve or anyone that went with a compressor how hard was it?

Option 1 is easy.

But I also have done my rear springs on a new car and a never been in salt Florida car

Your 05 should be good to go on option 1.

I used an internal spring compressor on my 01, 04, and 05. It was a loaner from O'Rieleys and it ran out of threads before the spring was compressed enough to remove. The lower control arm could have been strong-armed down more with a lever I suppose.

I cut some small diameter pipe and used it as a spacer on the threaded rod of the spring compressor. Worked awesome!

Thanks guys for the advice. Out of curiosity I asked the dealer how much they would charge to swap only the rear springs since the car is parked on a lift anyway and needless to say blood, sweat, and tears comes out to be a lot cheaper

I might just drop by and pick up a compressor anyway. If I bring another vehicle to my parents and leave it disabled in the driveway I think my dad's going to be less than enthused.

Get the one from Autozone if you have one near you. The bottom part of the compressor is flat as opposed to flexible which allows it to start farther apart on the coil. The LCA bolt would have been nice, but there was no getting it out. Only wish I woulda figured it out sooner. Give the LCA a shot but don't even start without the spring compressor handy. If you don't have an Autozone near you, you want to try to find the one on the left, not the right. You'll still need to make a spacer, about 3/4" ID pipe by 4" long. Set the included washer on top of the spacer. When you reinstall the new one, there's a rubber sleeve toward one end of the coil. I talked to Steve and he looked it up for me, that sleeve goes toward the top. Also be sure to tape the top mounting donut to the spring itself. Will save a little cussing. Good luck, It should take you about 4 hours to do all four corners, but will probably take much, much longer. Start early!