removing coil spring

[paulk68]

I pulled out my 68 camaro subframe to be dismantled (it is sitting on jack stands) and am wondering what is the safest way to get the coil springs out? do i need to compress them,then pull the upper and lower control arms?

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I pulled out my 68 camaro subframe to be dismantled (it is sitting on jack stands) and am wondering what is the safest way to get the coil springs out? do i need to compress them,then pull the upper and lower control arms?
I just did this last weekend and my answer to the problem was to let someone else (my uncle) do it. LOL

Seriously though, you can remove the uppers first to get them out of the way. After that, the safe bet would be a spring compressor. Compress the spring and remove the shock which is at that point, basically holding the spring in and pinching it in between the spring cup and the lower control arm.

[Sieg]

Here's one example:

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Those internal compressors are a PITA, especially if you're working with aftermarket (shorter and thicker wire springs) they should work ok with stock coils. I gave up trying to get mine to work on the Hotchkis springs in the sub I was disassembling. The I strapped my frame down to the utility trailer side rails it was sitting on and put my small floor jack under the control arm and popped the ball joint. The shorter spring makes this possible but you're still dealing with stored energy and a heavy spring. Be careful.