Front spring removal

NonGoggleGuy · 06-30-2009, 07:12 AM

I'm working on my Pontiac Fiero project (Project: Wreck) and I'm having trouble getting the front springs off. The struts are out, and I know there's a special GM tool that you can buy for about $1.3M, but I'd like not to spend that kind of money.

They don't just "fall" out. It's not immediately obvious how to remove them. If anyone has any advice on how they did it on a similar vehicle (without GM's tool), any help would be appreciated.

bradrhale · 06-30-2009, 07:13 AM

dont know how a fiero is built but you can rent a tool at autozone to compress the spring so that you can unbolt it from the strut tower and remove it.

NonGoggleGuy · 06-30-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

dont know how a fiero is built but you can rent a tool at autozone to compress the spring so that you can unbolt it from the strut tower and remove it.

There are no bolts holding the springs in. I really should have a picture of this. I'll get one & post back later.

But in words, all there is is a "shaft" that runs perpendicular to the spring itself on top of the strut tower. This shaft appears to be mostly hollow (like a bushing sleeve) without any hex nuts or alan wrench ends visible.

NonGoggleGuy · 06-30-2009, 07:57 PM

Here's some pics of what I'm dealing with.

The first one is of mount. I mis-undertyped wrong in my last post. The sleeve on the top is where the upper control arm mounts.

The second one is the entire assembly.

The third one is looking up into the spring.

There are no bolts or other mounting hardware that I can see. I tried prying it off with a screwdriver (you may be able to see it) at the top of the spring mount, but it didn't budge. Am I missing something obvious here?

mudseeker · 06-30-2009, 08:09 PM

bigger hammer?

my boss doesn't call me bambam for nothing.

gmctrucks · 07-02-2009, 12:44 AM

Use a torch but be careful that spring can hurt or kill you no kidding. One killed me back in 1976 but I was cloned thanks to my uncle that works at area 51.
He! He! GMC

NonGoggleGuy · 07-02-2009, 05:12 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I did get them out. I removed the entire "k" member & put a big prybar on them & they popped right off.

NonGoggleGuy · 07-02-2009, 05:14 AM

So, I think I have all the parts out that I need to "rebuild." They are:

Front upper & lower control arms
Front spindles
Front calipers
"K" member
Miscellaneous brackets in the front end
Upper & lower radiator braces
Door & trunk pins
Coolant pipes
Rear control arms
Rear spindles
Rear calipers
Miscellaneous brackets in the rear
Engine cradle (not being done yet)
Strut tower mounts
Hood latches

06-30-2009, 07:12 AM	#1
NonGoggleGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York State Posts: 259	Front spring removal I'm working on my Pontiac Fiero project (Project: Wreck) and I'm having trouble getting the front springs off. The struts are out, and I know there's a special GM tool that you can buy for about $1.3M, but I'd like not to spend that kind of money. They don't just "fall" out. It's not immediately obvious how to remove them. If anyone has any advice on how they did it on a similar vehicle (without GM's tool), any help would be appreciated. __________________ Bored? Check out Project: Wreck. - The NonGoggleGuy - I'm unbelievable... believe me.

06-30-2009, 07:57 PM	#4
NonGoggleGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York State Posts: 259	Here's some pics of what I'm dealing with. The first one is of mount. I mis-undertyped wrong in my last post. The sleeve on the top is where the upper control arm mounts. The second one is the entire assembly. The third one is looking up into the spring. There are no bolts or other mounting hardware that I can see. I tried prying it off with a screwdriver (you may be able to see it) at the top of the spring mount, but it didn't budge. Am I missing something obvious here? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Bored? Check out Project: Wreck. - The NonGoggleGuy - I'm unbelievable... believe me.

06-30-2009, 08:09 PM	#5
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,317	bigger hammer? my boss doesn't call me bambam for nothing. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

07-02-2009, 05:12 AM	#7
NonGoggleGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York State Posts: 259	Thanks for the help guys. I did get them out. I removed the entire "k" member & put a big prybar on them & they popped right off. __________________ Bored? Check out Project: Wreck. - The NonGoggleGuy - I'm unbelievable... believe me.

07-02-2009, 05:14 AM	#8
NonGoggleGuy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York State Posts: 259	So, I think I have all the parts out that I need to "rebuild." They are: Front upper & lower control arms Front spindles Front calipers "K" member Miscellaneous brackets in the front end Upper & lower radiator braces Door & trunk pins Coolant pipes Rear control arms Rear spindles Rear calipers Miscellaneous brackets in the rear Engine cradle (not being done yet) Strut tower mounts Hood latches __________________ Bored? Check out Project: Wreck. - The NonGoggleGuy - I'm unbelievable... believe me.

06-30-2009, 07:13 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	dont know how a fiero is built but you can rent a tool at autozone to compress the spring so that you can unbolt it from the strut tower and remove it.

07-02-2009, 12:44 AM	#6
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 3,945	Use a torch but be careful that spring can hurt or kill you no kidding. One killed me back in 1976 but I was cloned thanks to my uncle that works at area 51. He! He! GMC

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