Profish00

I just received new front coil springs to replace the old ones. This is on a 1972 nova, what all is involved with this procedure.
Looking underneath looks like all I need to do is compress the spring and remove the lower arm removing 2 bolts on the frame and 1 nut located by the break disc. Is this correct? Any help would be appreciated.

AlmostStock

I changed the front springs on a 68 Camaro which has the same front end as your Nova. I followed the instructions given in the factory service manual and will explain the process briefly but you need to look at a manual before starting. If done improperly the spring can pop out under high tension and injure you.
Jack the car up from under the lower ball joint and remove the wheel. Place a jack stand under the frame but leave the weight on the lower control arm. You then disconnect the lower BJ from the steering knuckle. You need a pickle fork for this. Once loose you then slowly lower the jack and the control arm will drop down all the way allowing you to remove the spring without removing (but do loosen) the two bolts holding the bushing end. I highly recommend the GM chassis service manual for your year. You can get one from NNN here's the link.
http://nnnova.com/ASSOCI.html

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Mark's Garage est. 1983

72_supernova

Your in luck. Just last weekend I put in a set of QA1 coil-over springs/shocks in my 72 Nova. Check it out at my car's site
http://www.cardomain.com/id/72_supernova page 5. If you didn't get any instructions with them I could send you the ones I have.

Profish00

how did you go about getting the old springs out?

72_supernova

I got the old springs out by pressing off the upper a-arm from the ball joint. There is a special way to do though so that you dont damage the seal for the ball joint. You also have to remove the shock and sway bar mount. On my Nova I also had to take the brake calipers off the spindle so that the whole lower a-arm and spindle could swing downwards enough to get the spring out. What kind of new stuff are you putting in? Ill work on getting some instructions for you. Good Luck

Profish00

New BB springs It has a 427 in it with V8 springs, sits a little low and I have spacers in it to keep it were I want it.

72_supernova

You can buy a ball joint seperator at most auto stores. you basically just need to jack up the front end and get the upper a-arm off the ball joint so that the whole lower a-arm and spindle can swing down. you will need to take the nut off the very top of the shock also. I would recomend a chassis manuel. If you don't one i will try to copy what you will need out of my stuff.