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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Gibbstown, NJ
Posts: 176
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Removing front springs
Ok so last time I did this on my 2003 Silverado, I was using the spring compressors and they were a joke, I just ended up putting the jack on the lca and unbolting it at the frame. So I checked under the 70 and it looks like the lca is bolted on using those 4 u bolts. Is that correct? Has anyone ever removed the springs using that method on one of these trucks? Last time I tried unbolting a spindle I destroyed all the rubber boots everywhere.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,717
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Re: Removing front springs
On my truck I just loosen the nut on the lower ball joint and split it with a pickle fork. Put jack under LCA and jack up until load off nut. Remove nut, lower LCA, remove spring.
When you put it back on that way it goes straight up and you don't have to jockey the u-bolts on the crossmember which is a PITA.
__________________
44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Plainfield il.
Posts: 643
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Re: Removing front springs
I just took mine out yesterday. I put a jack under the lca and take the nut off the upper ball joint. Give it a couple good hits with a hammer until the top seperates and then I let the jack down slowly.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Gibbstown, NJ
Posts: 176
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Re: Removing front springs
With all the rust around here those things never break loose, and the pickle fork part is where I tore the boot.
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#5 | |||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: Removing front springs
Quote:
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: New Palestine In
Posts: 931
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Re: Removing front springs
Rather than using a pickle fork and taking a chance of ruining the rubber boot, loosen the castle nut about three turns and use a BFH hitting the spindle where the ball joint goes through. You can see when the ball joint pops loose. Then raise the LCA with your floor jack, remove the nut the rest of the way and let the LCA down and remove the spring.
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: New Palestine In
Posts: 931
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Re: Removing front springs
Oops, I typed my response so slow three others beat me to it. LOL
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#8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Removing front springs
I like replacing the ball joints so destroying the rubbers aint a big deal
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Gibbstown, NJ
Posts: 176
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Re: Removing front springs
Ok so remove the top nut or the bottom nut? some mixed responses here
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,717
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Re: Removing front springs
Bottom for me. I think it gives more clearance to get the spring out. And you can raise the upper and block underneath it to hold everything out of the way and the brake hose is plenty long for that.
__________________
44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 67
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Re: Removing front springs
I just replaced my springs shocks and ball joints... Wish I would have done the ICA bushings too... The new Moog Springs were not wanting to compress in the CA without the jack rocking the truck too far on the jack stands so I used a big C clamp on the control arms to help compress it enough to bolt everything back up.
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Plainfield il.
Posts: 643
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Re: Removing front springs
I remove the top. Once you lower the bottom control arm the spring practicaly falls out.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
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Re: Removing front springs
As an aside ... I like to use a cable bike lock to ensure the springs don't fly out and break themselves on my head.
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1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Gibbstown, NJ
Posts: 176
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Re: Removing front springs
Im putting bags in so I dont have to worry about compressing the new spring. I will probably chain it to the frame to be safe.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Columbiana Ohio
Posts: 1,210
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Re: Removing front springs
Not to hijack this post but when re-installing the lowers... how do you know when the they are in the right place before tightening the U-bolts? I see nothing that indicates when the lowers are slid forward or back at right position.
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"Hey... its only time and money right? Just do it." 67 Short Bed under major construction http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=651356&page=8 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Neskowin OR
Posts: 1,153
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Re: Removing front springs
I have that Ball joint removal tool that works great, so I just loosen the bolt on the bottom ball joint and thread the nut up, slap the tool on there and it pulls out, then lower the jack very slowly. I agree the U-bolts is a pain. I used a ratchet strap and wrapped around the spring and the crossmember, so the spring can't move. My springs are cut so I don't have to drop it all the way down for them to be loose.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glendale, Arizna
Posts: 1,642
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Re: Removing front springs
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#18 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Burnet, Tx
Posts: 332
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Re: Removing front springs
Quote:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=623839 |
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