4/6 Drop Problem

[cruisinthe34]

Been working on my 4" drop on the front of my '71. First of all I cant seem to get a coil spring compressor in there to compress the spring. I've tried the one that goes up inside the spring as well as the compressor that is two outside rods. I'm wondering if positioning a floor jack under the lower control arm before breaking the ball joints loose would be enough to contain the spring.

Second issue is the cotter pins through the ball joint castle nuts. They we so deteriorated that one has now broken off flush with the outside edge of the nut. I have two choices, POSSIBLY drill through or actually grind the rivets of the upper ball joint off.

Any insights will be much appreciated.
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[GR8-68]

I don't know the best answer as I have never installed such short springs, but I could see where it may be an issue with a standard spring compressor. You can do the jack but be super careful that it does not slip. As far as the cotter pin you could try a small punch or just drill it out.

[brihorse]

Did mine with a floor jack recently, had zero issues doing it that way. Knock the cotter pin out with a small screwdriver and hammer. Or the cotter pin should just bust off when you loosen the nut with a wrench.

[Mike C]

A punch should be able to fix your cotter pin keys, and as mentioned above, a floor jack can remove the stock length springs. Should go in easy with the new, lower coils and no compressor.

[LS short box]

Put a chain around the spring thru the a-arm so it can't come flying out.

Ball joint nuts, Just hammer the socket onto the nut then just loosen. The cotter pin will just shear off. A bit crude but it works every time.

[cruisinthe34]

LS Short Box. THATS thinkin' ! I can use a chain off my load level on the engine hoist. Thanks

[67ChevyRedneck]

When using the jack method, leave the nut on the upper ball joint, and on the lower ball joint just back it off 1/2" or so, so when you smack it with a hammer to release the ball joint you don't risk stuff flying.

Once the lower ball joint is loose, you can slowly lower the jack. If you have a sway bar, unhook it first before you do anything, also unhook the shock. These items can actually keep the lower control arm from lowering enough to release the spring.

Also, when loosening the sway bar, do it with the truck level on it's weight. Learned that lesson... that ***** can pop when off kilter.