Springs and swaybar

[Swank]

Morning,
I know theres multiple threads on aerostar springs, but just one specific question.

Can the springs be swapped without removing the sway bar?  That thing seems to be the bane of my existence.  I got it in with new bushing awhile back and I'd like to never touch it again.

I have everything stock, 292, Fordomatic, and manual steering.

-Swank

[RICH MUISE]

I strongly doubt it, as the lower control arm has to pivot out of the way to get the old springs out, and even if you could, it would be best to remove it as well as loosening the bolts on the control arm bushings. After it's at it's "final resting place on ride height, retighten the control arm bushings/bolts.........of course a realignment is going to be required.
Doesn't really matter, but are you talking OEM style sway bar or HD replacement?

[Swank]

thanks, was pretty sure it had to come loose.   yeah, it's OEM.

[abe_lugo]

Nope you cannot.  I recently finally did mine. If you left the bar on there is a chance you might bend something out of whack.  It also makes it much easier to install them. 

I actually didn't realign my my car as it was already lowered but with stiff cut springs it was just kind of a wash. 
I think it might gotten about 1/2" Lowe maybe.  My car spend pull or anything it drive straight.

I would suggest you measure your car from the center wheel to the fender center opening in each side before and after you do this.  I have about a 1/4"-1/2" higher on one side and it bugs so much I went and loosed it all and checked to see if the spring was sitting in the pocket correctly.   Also check the new springs to make sure the are the same/same.   

[SkylinerRon]

As someone who has changed front springs on a 57 it is a major pain. I put new Moog springs for a 64 Galaxie 390 w/air and they raised the car up about an inch and a half over original factory height. Unless your car has sagged alot I found that Gabriel makes a H-D front shock with a coil spring attached. Recently I bought a D-100 pickup with bad shocks and no factory swaybar. Adding the Gabriels firmed up the front nicely without being harsh. Highly recommended.

Ron.

[lalessi1]

The stock springs will come out easily if the lower ball joints are separated. I suspect that will help with the stock sway bar removal. The Aerostar springs can be installed with the ball joints connected because they are so short. I found that there was minimal suspension travel so I put spacers with mine. I settled on 1/2" spacers.