An XJS has come into my local self serve junkyard and I want to take the vertical link (upright) from the front suspension. Of course, that means taking the tension off the springs. My usual method is the 4 threaded rods, however, there isn't enough space between the bottom of the spring pan and the ground to use the rods.

Is the shock strong enough to hold the spring during removal, or is this asking for trouble? Obviously I'm concerned about doing things safely, or I wouldn't be asking. No jacks, torches or grinders are allowed in the yard, otherwise lowering it down on a floor jack would be the easiest course of action.

 

I'v changed top arm bushes & lower ball joints on front suspension with just jacking under the spring seat but you won't get your jack back if your removing the carrier. Not sure if I would trust the shock though

 

Look around, a road wheel, under he pan, lower the thing, thus compressing the spring, take what you want.

BUT BUT BUT

Someone is going to get a face full of spring sooner or later.

SOOOOOOO

After your take, raise the thing CAREFULLY, and from as far to one side as possible, to release that spring for the next guy.

DOABLE, but I would NOT do it now, too old ans slow.

 

I wouldn't recommend removing a spring like that. Try buying a complete IRS or call David at everyday xj. He'll gladly sell you the control arms

 

I surely don't know; never tried. I doubt anyone else has tried, either.

If there's doubt, there is no doubt: don't do it.

I go with the floor jack idea.

Just my two cents

Cheers
DD

 

shock will hold the spring in without the upper ball joint hooked up. on the 40s and later you have to more mindful of this, if you drop the sub without taking the springs out first you’re asking for trouble

if you’re still scared i’ve popped springs out with just a chain running through it. extended 3/8 electric ratchet and dump the bolts

 

I like that phrase, and that is the conclusion I am coming too.

The project is I am converting my Daimler DS420 to ABS brakes. The caliper and disk are the same as the XJ6/12/S. However the upright is similar, but different, and the hub and caliper offset is different. I have the hubs with tone rings from an ABS equipped XJS, but now I'm thinking it might be easier to turn a shoulder on my existing hub to press on the tone ring. Daimler hubs are NLA, so that's why I was thinking of going all XJS.