Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jacfourteen · 05-02-2010, 06:32 PM

I pulled some leaves from the rear of my truck and got about a 3.5" drop, so now I need to get the front down. I read the FAQ about spring removal but I still can't get the ball joints to let go. I backed the nuts off about 4-5 turns on the lower ball joints then I gave the spindles good whacks and nothing happens. First I used a 24 ounce framing hammer, then I used a 3 lb sledge and still nothing. Is there something I'm missing here? Are the 3/4 ton different than the 1/2 ton? I would rather not use a pickle fork as the ball joints are nice and tight and I don't want to change them. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

PS: I'm on a tight schedule since it is entered in a carshow on saturday.

**leddzepp** · 05-02-2010, 06:34 PM

Keep hitting them, eventually they will "pop"

Piece of Work · 05-02-2010, 06:41 PM

forget the ball joint method. remove the u-bolts from the a-arm. your springs will come out easily.

Jacfourteen · 05-02-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piece of Work

forget the ball joint method. remove the u-bolts from the a-arm. your springs will come out easily.

I considered this, but when I removed the nuts from the 1st U-bolt it wouldn't come out of the frame, but I guess that when I pulled the other nuts and lowered the jack they would probably come out right? Guess I will beat on them some more and if that doesn't work I'll pull some U-bolts. Thanks for the quick responses.

Leviticus · 05-02-2010, 06:44 PM

I pulled the top ball joint instead of the lower on mine when I did my coils. Just backed the nut off and one good bump with a big rubber mallet and whamo, it popped loose.

The pressure of the spring and the weight of the spindle may have helped with it.

Jacfourteen · 05-02-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leviticus

I pulled the top ball joint instead of the lower on mine when I did my coils. Just backed the nut off and one good bump with a big rubber mallet and whamo, it popped loose.

The pressure of the spring and the weight of the spindle may have helped with it.

Good Idea, I'll give it a try.

Tkmadone · 05-02-2010, 09:52 PM

If you have it jacked up under the lower arm then whacking the ball joint won't work. The spring needs to be pushing the lower A arm down and it has to have room to move when you whack it. Jack it up and use jack stands under the crossmember or on the frame behind the front wheel well.

Jacfourteen · 05-03-2010, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tkmadone

If you have it jacked up under the lower arm then whacking the ball joint won't work. The spring needs to be pushing the lower A arm down and it has to have room to move when you whack it. Jack it up and use jack stands under the crossmember or on the frame behind the front wheel well.

Yeah I had the stands on the crossmember, but they wouldn't budge.

Thanks for all the ideas, I ended up loosening up the uppers and they popped right off. They were a little more of a pain because then I had to fight with the brake lines but I got them out and chopped 1.5 coils off. That got me down about 2.5" in the front and the leaves I pulled got me about 3.5" in the rear. I may go a little lower, but I think for now I will drive it and see how I like it. Now I just need to bolt it all back together. Once again thanks for the help, once again the board saved my butt

.

harry · 05-03-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacfourteen

Yeah I had the stands on the crossmember, but they wouldn't budge.

Thanks for all the ideas, I ended up loosening up the uppers and they popped right off. They were a little more of a pain because then I had to fight with the brake lines but I got them out and chopped 1.5 coils off. That got me down about 2.5" in the front and the leaves I pulled got me about 3.5" in the rear. I may go a little lower, but I think for now I will drive it and see how I like it. Now I just need to bolt it all back together. Once again thanks for the help, once again the board saved my butt

.

can you post some before and after pics of your lowering,sounds like an inexpensive way of doin it,might do my 3/4 that way as well

Jacfourteen · 05-03-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry

can you post some before and after pics of your lowering,sounds like an inexpensive way of doin it,might do my 3/4 that way as well

I'll get some pics up later today. Do you have coils or leaves in the rear?

harry · 05-03-2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacfourteen

I'll get some pics up later today. Do you have coils or leaves in the rear?

leaf springs in the rear of my c20

*Sublvr72* · 05-03-2010, 04:53 AM

use a pickle fork and they will come off.

05-02-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc I pulled some leaves from the rear of my truck and got about a 3.5" drop, so now I need to get the front down. I read the FAQ about spring removal but I still can't get the ball joints to let go. I backed the nuts off about 4-5 turns on the lower ball joints then I gave the spindles good whacks and nothing happens. First I used a 24 ounce framing hammer, then I used a 3 lb sledge and still nothing. Is there something I'm missing here? Are the 3/4 ton different than the 1/2 ton? I would rather not use a pickle fork as the ball joints are nice and tight and I don't want to change them. Any info would be greatly appreciated. PS: I'm on a tight schedule since it is entered in a carshow on saturday. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

05-02-2010, 06:34 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,036	Re: Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc Keep hitting them, eventually they will "pop" __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

05-02-2010, 06:41 PM	#3
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Re: Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc forget the ball joint method. remove the u-bolts from the a-arm. your springs will come out easily. __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

05-02-2010, 06:44 PM	#5
Leviticus Shake and Bake! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 609	Re: Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc I pulled the top ball joint instead of the lower on mine when I did my coils. Just backed the nut off and one good bump with a big rubber mallet and whamo, it popped loose. The pressure of the spring and the weight of the spindle may have helped with it. __________________ "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson "You are remembered for the rules you break." General Douglas MacArthur "Support Our Troops And The NRA"

05-02-2010, 09:52 PM	#7
Tkmadone Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 193	Re: Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc If you have it jacked up under the lower arm then whacking the ball joint won't work. The spring needs to be pushing the lower A arm down and it has to have room to move when you whack it. Jack it up and use jack stands under the crossmember or on the frame behind the front wheel well.

05-03-2010, 04:53 AM	#12
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	Re: Front coil spring removal from a 68 3/4 ton gmc use a pickle fork and they will come off.



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