Classic/Antique Car Repair: Coil springs 1966 AMC Marlin, dick teague, autozone

Question
QUESTION: I am getting ready to remove the front springs from my Marlin. I have looked a several web sites to see how to do it but there seems to be several ways (especially w/spring compressor styles). Have you ever removed springs from a trunnion type suspension and if you did, what was the best way? Any other helpful hints would be appreciated!
Thank you.
Jim

ANSWER: I have done this, and used a spring compressor.  This was also on an AMC product, although it was older than your car, the design of the suspension is very similar, so I think you can do it that way.

The spring compressor has to be a very good one for safety - avoid the el-cheapo ones sold by the discount tool outfits - better to rent a good one.  In California, Autozone stores will loan you one - they collect a deposit to cover the value of the tool, but when you return it undamaged, they refund the deposit.

You'll find you have to think through where you position the spring compressor carefully so that you have room to take things apart- but you will find the right position by trial and error - at least I did.

Thanks for keeping a really rare and unique car on the road!

Dick Teague was a neighbor of mine after he retired to California, and became a good friend (and fellow car nut to the core!).   He told me the story of the design of the Marlin, and it's predecessor the Tarpon.  His idea was to build the car on the smaller chassis, but he was over-ruled by the AMC President, to his dismay.   

Good luck with it!

Dick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply!
I thought the Tarpon was a car with good proportions-- I know only a 6 cylinder would fit but maybe the new generation AMC V8s might have fit a few years later. I do not have an Autozone in the town where I live but maybe the NAPA, O'Reilly, etc.. might have a similar program and I will check them out.
Thanks
Jim

Answer
I think Auto-Zone has a different name outside of California - most of the auto parts chains have different names in different parts of the country - so just check them all.  It's a really good program for getting good quality tools that you don't use more than once.

Dick T. changed the "r" to "m" when he talked about the car - tells you how upset he was that they enlarged it!

He kept one of his AMX-3s (the red one) here in my barn for a year or so, - what a blast that one was!

Dick B.