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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 68
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Front coil springs heating or cutting
Cant afford the drop spindles and having a hard time getting some of the bolts lose to get the springs out to cut them im thinking real hard about just heating them , i only looking for 2.5 inch drop what do you think?
1983 c-10 Posted via Mobile Device |
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#2 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,287
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
well if you do that make sure you have a will made out and sign your organ donor card.. Heating metal like that will reduce its strength. It can and will snap at a moments notice.. it is far from a good idea. This has been discussed at length here.. later i will try to dig up the old threads
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Waynesfield Ohio
Posts: 1,991
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Cut them, heating the steel makes it brittle.
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![]() 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ottawa ON
Posts: 514
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Cut em! heard horror stories bout heating them, shouldn't be too hard to get out. I cut mine just took the wheel off, sway bar off and lower ball joint nut, used a pickle fork and a big ass hammer with a floor jack holding the pressure on the spring then let the jack down and the spring fell out!
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,237
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
I dont recommend anyone doing it because cutting the springs is a much better option but, heating them is fine IF you do it correctly. Some springs are tapered at the top or bottom and heating them is the only choice. Thats how we did it for years and years before the invention of lowered coil springs or drop spindles. Most people have no clue how to do it properly. If you just randomly heat the spring, it will cause warpage and spring failure, breakage etc.
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 815
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
I agree with square 78. Most people dont know how to heat springs. The old timers that customized cars back in the day did. My step has heated coils in the front. They been in the truck since 1974. Over 150k miles without a problem. However its not recommended and I wont encourage that route. I will replace my springs soon and I would recommend 1 coil cut or save up and buy drop springs.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 68
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
What spring compressor to use the outside or the inside ones
What is a pickle fork Posted via Mobile Device |
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#8 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
If you can't remove a spring, you shouldn't be trying to heat one either then.
Cutting is the way to go if you cant afford new drop springs...do it once, do it right.
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Queen Creek, AZ
Posts: 538
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Quote:
pickle fork is just what it sounds like a giant fork that will wedge in between the upper a-arm and the spindle to separate the ball joint. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Arlington WA
Posts: 1,728
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
i had to clean the u-bolts that hold the lower control arm on with a wire brush and soak them in penetrating oil. i would recomend cutting over heating. i did it one a buddies truck the other night and it took no more then 2 hours to cut both springs adn get it al back together again
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GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: corpus christi, tx - america's fattest city
Posts: 253
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A coil spring compressor can be had from Sears or Harbor Freight for around $50. Cheaper than a trip to the ER and an indispensable tool to have if you wrench on your rides yourself.
My $0.02 don't cut or heat old springs, just get some new 2" drop coils. Save up for it or hock something if you're desperate, LMC has 'em for $140 less shipping. Seen many a hack job on coils and inevitably other problems follow with it. If you want a 4/6 slam they have the complete kit for $700, which is what I'd do. Thinking about this for mine... |
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#12 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Seen springs break,and they were just old
Scarey I wana lower (just) the front too... cutting maybe, not heat,or replaceing with shorter ones Posted via Mobile Device
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bend Oregon
Posts: 188
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
If your on a budget or lack the knowledge to do it right, spend your spare time reading how to do it right the first time. Safe over sorry wins every time.
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1971 chevy c10 ECE 4.5/6 dropped 1970 suburban ECE 4/6 Dropped 45K original miles so far 1948 Ford Sedan 1941 Dodge COE 1932 ford roadster the rest are normal drivers |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Arlington WA
Posts: 1,728
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
i block the crossmember then i place a jack under the LCA to hold it from flying out then just lower it to get it off. you may need o tap on the u-bolt to get them off, it seams like they get spread out and got want to come out of the holes. you could even place the wheel/tire back on
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GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
You can buy a ball joint press and replace the ball joints at the same time if you use a pickle fork and jack method
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Roanoke, Tx.
Posts: 1,561
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Don't do anything until you can afford to do it right.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 68
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
i had to clean the u-bolts that hold the lower control arm on with a wire brush and soak them in penetrating oil. i would recomend cutting over heating. i did it one a buddies truck the other night and it took no more then 2 hours to cut both springs adn get it al back together again
is there a trick to getting the u-bolts back in ,i have them all back in but one (i swear it looks bent) |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 68
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Does it matter if you cut the top or bottom of the coil spring
The top is a lot smaller around Posted via Mobile Device |
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#19 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Excelsior Spring, MO
Posts: 2
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Great thread,Thank you to all those who posted...., keep them coming : )
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Baytown TX
Posts: 2,219
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
Cut the bottom.
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John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350 ![]() |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Arlington WA
Posts: 1,728
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Re: Front coil springs heating or cutting
a couple of them on both trucks i have done had to be squished in a vise because they were to wide ot go back in the holes. just put nuts on it to protect the threads
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GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread |
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