chevelle QA1 coil over installation

ALL MY VIDEOS ARE IN 1080p HI DEF SO CHECK THAT OUT
im doing this old style without a lift and showing you that it can be done.
car is a 70 Chevelle
Im removing the big block springs and installing QA1 NON ADJUSTABLE COIL OVERS ON THE FRONT
just an idea on what to expect and an idea how to put them on
I MAKE THESE VIDEOS FOR PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT OR WONDERING ABOUT DOING THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS and I show the job from start to finish in one take

[@jimmylee8459]

To reply again. Be proud of yourself you have the only KZbin video that shows how to do this with stock Aarms and !!!! you are doing it in a small garage. Thanks this tutorial help me alot

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Just FYI. I heard a guy suggest Nickel based anti-seize since it’s aluminum. Just for looks. Says it looks better. Makes sense. Thanks Chris

[@billmiller5075]

Good job Chris I feel more comfortable installing them now

[@justinferrall9601]

Great video man, going to be swapping to coilovers on my 74 chevelle.

[@chui19801]

I like the video. Very helpful for some people, but next time, raise the ride height spinners a lot higher when first install. It is easier to lower that raise. Just my opinion. Best of luck.

[@reccos02star]

This is a great tutorial!! Thank you!!!

[@TomB-fl9oh]

Great video Chris....Like all the videos you have made on the Chevelle...Thx

[@MrBigsky13]

Sweet, so that why my Chevelle drive like a logging truck, oh the things you learn 40 years later. Those are similar to the McPherson Strut, yes I know you know all of that. the bearing that you put on the bottom between the two races that was unusual almost like when a copper washer is used as a bearing. Ok nice work, you have some Mad Skills, Love watching you work. you're so calm and knowledgeable . nd I have been to several different training classes Truck Diesel thru the State Votech paid for by the VA GI Bill. Automotive both Jr. High and High School. OJT worked for a Union 76 full-service station back in 1975. Then The Air Force. Then Arctic Cat Snow Mobiel School. training thru Detroit Diesel in Detroit Mi. Worked On GE EMD 645 CI per Cylinder. 12 Cylinders 7700+ Cubic Inches. What a trip. You can pull a piston and a cylinder from a running engine. I saw a piston ring from a container ship that was a big as a Hula Hoop. The connecting rods have exposed noot inside a block. Ok took enough of your time sir. Nice Ride.

[@PCcopeland]

You can also leave the spindle on the lower ball joint, loosen the top A arm and disconnect it from the spindle. Let the spindle act as a barrier to protect you from the spring.

[@joshuamains6405]

This is better than QA1's own installation video

[@420Under1]

verry helpfulk thanks for taking the time !!

[@waqarsyed6641]

AWESOME JOB DUDE

[@chriscraft77022]

i dont know why im watching my old video, but damn..... i am so annoying... please dont hate me.... ive gotten better in my newer videos....

[@goyslop4289]

Chris Craft don't worry about how you sound, the video was helpful and informative that's what matters.

[@petergoodwin2465]

I enjoyed this video, Gm has a good front suspension. Just did the wife's 67 impala and they're a decent front end. I'm a Mopar guy but I love these old Gms. Nice work mate.

[@robcaniglia9758]

Nice video 👍

[@OhMar1210]

Thanks for sharing.

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Good job buddy

[@tuffcustoms1825]

i like ur style

[@primetime1324]

Is there another way to get the lower control arm loose? I can't seem to knock it loose.

[@rcm3851]

Did you install coilovers on the rear? If so did you have any clearance issues between the springs and the rear axle?

[@kewkew2]

Nice bro I just got my Chevelle and your Channel gives tons of info! I have a bizzilion questions to ask you lol DO you have FB or anther way to contact you? Thank You

[@CodyBishop1989]

Does that coil-over work for big block and small block cars or do they make separate coil-overs for the small block cars? How easy are they to adjust and how much did it improve your handling?

[@chriscraft77022]

you have to have the weight of the front axle and you buy the springs accordingly

[@GatorOverland]

Hey chris, thank for always having a video to influence my never ending chevelle upgrades. Im not sure what your overall performance focus is on your chevelle build, but what # springs did you go with for your big block, 450# (cruise), 500# (sport handling), 550# (autoX), and if you have done the rears coil over conversion, what weight did you go with 110# (drag), 125# (street & cruise), 150# (autoX). Im thinking 450-500# fronts and 125# rears would satisfy my needs and Im on the fence between QA1 and UMI products, both have good reviews. Are you happy with your upgrade and/or would you recommend anything different?

[@chriscraft77022]

I went with 2200 lb front weight (stock AC w/BB ) it literally feels like stock springs.. I didn’t see all those numbers when I bought mine they just needed the front axle weight on QA1 website.. rear just has 3 inch lowering springs bell tech lowering shocks and Lakewood ladder bars.. my car is a 450HP street car

[@GatorOverland]

@@chriscraft77022 thanks bud, anything is better than my old sagging stockers. Currently feels like a boat trying to get on plane when driving, sloppy and squishy, mostly due to dry rotted bushings and weak stock control arms. Luckily youve made videos of that stuff to refer to.

[@troydzuricsko7331]

Great video! It takes balls to tackle spring work. Some advice... check the stance before hooking up your steering linkage and brakes. If the stance looks good, then raise the car again and hook everything up. It can save you a lot of work.

[@chriscraft77022]

that is some good advice... omg the memories of trying to reach in between all that stuff to adjust them

[@allnone504]

Hey Chris I see most people reinforce the lower control arm with a metal plate to distribute the weight did you have any problems with your coil overs or lower control arms since you didn’t have the metal plate to help reinforce n distribute the weight of the car?

[@oz1141]

Where do people get these metal plate for the lower control arms?

[@jimmylee8459]

Thanks for the video. It was good information, dont be hard on yourself. Try a better music selection though. Just kidding bro!!! Hahha

[@chriscraft77022]

I’m currently working on a nice shop but I will always take springs out like that.. big block springs on a chevelle are very difficult to compress with the tool... I do listen to different music now.. lol

[@billmiller5075]

Chris how hard is it to adjust your ride height? I’m thinking about doing this on my 65 GTO Thanks

[@chriscraft77022]

it’s not easy at all... but doesn’t take too long to do

[@dan9809]

Maybe a chain would work to secure the spring to the upper control arm or frame, so if it did accidentally release it won't go far. So do you like the Coil Overs better than the springs?

[@chriscraft77022]

I popped a hundred springs out like that. if you are going to lower the car you need the adjustable ride height

[@dan9809]

@@chriscraft77022 Thanks. I can tell that you have tons of experience by the way you explain stuff. It is obvious that you've been around American cars and cars for a long time. You deserve to have KZbin Suscribers because you're good at explaining what you are doing. Even though you said you're not a mechanic and you're just showing us the way that you do it to your car. People still watch and learn how to fix their car in their garage or driveway (like me). You don't use the car lifts or expensive equipment that only shops would own. You use materials that are accessible, like the wood for the rear seat shelf thing. I like how you tell us NOT to something and then explain why (like in your welding video). I honestly wish I was there when you actually did the work because I know there's a lot more than what we see (like math and stuff). I realize some of your videos are 5 years old and your not living that anymore. I do appreciate all of your videos and replying to my comments. Could you recommend any books about abody (I have 70 lemans) restoration that YOU believe are very helpful? Or any restoration books? I think I need to take a few months to get myself familiar with my car and auto repair. Is there a website that has all of the stock parts that is set up like Hondapartsnow.com? It makes it a lot easier to be able to see diagrams of any/all parts of the car. It even tells you what parts are interchangeable with other models and years. It gives oem part # and lists every part/option that was available for any Honda car. That's how I fix my daily driver (04' Cr-V) That would be too simple right? I don't think I've watch a video of you driving the Chevelle around on the road. You know, I've been to Texas before. My dad used to live in Beaumont and I used to go to that Asian neighborhood for dim sum (the 3,000 people one) Well I don't want to waste anymore of your life. So thanks again Chris Craft.

[@chriscraft77022]

the only book I use is the 1970 Chevelle assembly manual ( from ebay) the OPGI catalog is a must have as well.. I haven’t finished the car yet.. it’s waiting on me to build a paint booth... I have been restoring my house for the past 2 years so I havent been messing with the car at all

[@dan9809]

@@chriscraft77022 Nice! Thanks, I actually have the OPGI Catalog. I'm sure your house will come out nice too. You take your time and do stuff the right way so you dont have to come back and fix it later. Oh yeah. That's really nice of you to get that Jeep for your daughter. It looks really nice and I'm sure she will love it. When she is older she'll remember having good times in that jeep and who gave it to her. That's what life is about. Having good times and creating fond memories with the people you love and love you. You'll get dad points for sure. We are kind of in the same boat with multiple projects going at the same time. I too have house projects. For me it's a time $ issue for me to complete what I want to do. I still have to finish by basement, buikd a upright tool box, I'm the spring I need to add a car path to the garage I built for my car (I drove over the lawn to get my car inside) and etc. Measure twice cut once

[@casheighty8]

Anti-seize the threads, do not grease the thrust bearing/washer. Manufacturer says to keep them dry.

[@gnawbabygnaw]

I heard a guy suggest nickel based anti seize for these cuz they’re aluminum. For looks sake. Thanks Chris.

[@humpworm]

I just experienced a frustrating experience with my rear QA1 coilovers vs my New Exhaust. The people that were installing the QA1's said that I would have to remove & redirect my exhaust system.. I probably wouldn't have purchased the shocks if I new I needed to hack up my exhaust system...🤔

[@chriscraft77022]

yup... that sucks.. but it will be worth it though

[@jayeff4457]

big difference installation with those coil overs. regular coils are a pain in the ass and dangerous. hows the ride feel? I also have a big block, thinking of installing these kits.

[@rodpalm6398]

Those LCA's aren't made to handle the weight of the vehicle at the point where the stock shocks bolt up. They sell reinforced versions for this very reason.

[@chriscraft77022]

I will make a video if they crack. Very good thing to point out... you are right 100%

[@Ada-zn3pw]

@@chriscraft77022 just so you know speedway sells a reinforcement plate that you can use with stock A arms. I mean I'm sure you could make it. It's just a 1/4 inch plate that lays on top of your control arm with holes in it. Just spreads out the load.

[@jacobgomer]

trying to decide what spring rate to go with may i ask what you went with? and what engine you have?

[@chriscraft77022]

you can’t go off what I got.. you have to weigh your front end or estimate it..I have a 454

[@jacobgomer]

@@chriscraft77022 where can i go to get the front end weighed?

[@chriscraft77022]

Truck stops have scales

[@billmiller5075]

Have you done a video on adjusting them yet?

[@chriscraft77022]

no, but you run it up on ramps to adjust them .. it’s very hard

[@bradplowman3271]

So.....do you love them? would you buy them again if you had to? Did you also do the rear, or just the front?

[@chriscraft77022]

I will buy these for every old car front end I build for the rest of my life.. the back of my car has ladder bars and don’t need them.. I don’t think I will ever buy them for the back because of the price..

[@bradplowman3271]

@@chriscraft77022 Thanks for the reply, you just sealed the deal for my 66 El Camino! Cheers

[@chriscraft77022]

the ride height adjustment is what makes them really cool

[@anthonyjacobo9096]

So...how do you adjust ride height? I can’t find a video anywhere.

[@chriscraft77022]

you have to buy the wrenches and you just compress the spring .. its a bit difficult

[@anthonyjacobo9096]

Chris Craft I have the spanner wrenches but this is all new to me. Plus, like in your video, I don’t have a lift either. Going to be interesting. Thanks for the reply.

[@chriscraft77022]

you don’t need a lift.. you do need ramps .. or you can jack up the center of the frame to take weight off the springs while you adjust.. count the turns evenly

[@blakebiltwell5]

Do u have the single or double adjustable coilover?

[@chriscraft77022]

i bought the non adjustable..

[@fast81bu]

You keep mentioning safety and the spring but you got the frame sitting on a cinder block and some 2x4s. Jack stands man.....those cinder blocks will crack and crush ya man.

[@chriscraft77022]

+fast81bu the cinder block has a weak side and strong side... I had a jack stand fail and almost crush my legs... i don't trust jack stands..

[@hymangerlick2340]

Man put a chain around the spring and A frame

[@raymondrivera6661]

Come due mine

[@zachreese6540]

Hopefully anyone watching this video doesn't ever remove a spring like this. That's a great way to get killed or, at the very least, severely injured while likely blasting a fender lip as the coil comes blasting out.

[@andyc8836]

Hey its a good video, maybe start wearing safety glasses when u put your face on the floor....😖

[@larryhall1540]

Forget the fricking background music!!!