Rear spring replace need pics - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

domano 68 · 06-23-2019, 11:13 PM

Going to give it a try doing it myself. Will let a pro do the front.

So what's involved? Easy job? Spring compressor needed? Tried to find a good video on you tube but not much luck. Thanks.

demian5 · 06-24-2019, 11:07 AM

Coil or leaf?

If coil, just jack up the truck, put the frame on jack-stands high enough so the wheels don't touch the ground when you lower it down to remove the springs.

You may have to unbolt the bottom shock bolts and disconnect from the mount if it cant go low enough to remove the springs.

With the truck on jack-stands and lowered just enough to take load off the springs, remove the upper and lower bolt/nut. Usually the lower one threads into the lower spring retainer while the top one has a nut on top of the frame.

Slowly lower the rear end after unbolting, until the springs are clear of the frame and can be removed. But they usually fall on the ground.

If Leaf, same thing, stands under frame, jack under diff. Lower to take load off, unbolts U bolts from axle/spring, then remove front and rear hanger bolts.

Whatever you do, when you work on the spring make sure its unloaded.

And the front you can do easy. Stands under the frame, jack under the lower control arm, jack up against arm and detach lower ball joint (and sway bar) and slowly lower. Install new spring and position upper pigtail in frame to match the insert, verify lower end of spring is in bottom pocket correctly. hold the spring against the inside of the spring pocket with a pry bar or something long and slowly jack the lower control arm back up to attach the ball joint...

bozly · 06-24-2019, 11:11 AM

This guy does a great job showing you the work. You will need penetrating oil, impact gun + breaker bar, and likely a few new bolts/hardware. I needed new spring retainers $20 when I just did this on my 1971. This is not a hard job, you got this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoX4q4VxpUw&t=504s

typerr · 06-24-2019, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozly

This guy does a great job showing you the work. You will need penetrating oil, impact gun + breaker bar, and likely a few new bolts/hardware. I needed new spring retainers $20 when I just did this on my 1971. This is not a hard job, you got this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoX4q4VxpUw&t=504s

For the rear springs I ended up having the cut the spring retainer bolts both top and bottom with my sawsall after loosening them part way. The exposed threads were rusted after 50 years even on my California truck.

domano 68 · 07-02-2019, 03:41 PM

Yes coil.

Thanks for the replies. I’ll watch the YouTube link.

So when putting the new springs in, will they need to be compressed or can I drop the axle enough to easily place the new springs in position? Thanks again!
Posted via Mobile Device

bozly · 07-02-2019, 09:10 PM

you can drop it enough to get the new springs in without compressing them. just dont drop it so far you snap the brake lines. use a jack under the rear end to control it.

**Steeveedee** · 07-02-2019, 10:59 PM

The shocks will sometimes limit the suspension travel enough that you may need to remove one end's attach bolt(s) to get the suspension to drop enough.

domano 68 · 07-05-2019, 09:16 AM

In the youtube video above, the guy removes his track bar. I assume he does this since he upgrades to an adjustable track bar. Does the track bar need to be removed to do the spring replace job? Thanks!

typerr · 07-05-2019, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domano 68

In the youtube video above, the guy removes his track bar. I assume he does this since he upgrades to an adjustable track bar. Does the track bar need to be removed to do the spring replace job? Thanks!

No, I was able to remove and install my new springs and shocks without touching the track bar.
Posted via Mobile Device

domano 68 · 07-05-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by typerr

No, I was able to remove and install my new springs and shocks without touching the track bar.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks!
Posted via Mobile Device

wpavlis · 07-05-2019, 10:25 PM

The hardest part is removing the old springs. I had to use my grinder and a chisel to get the upper bolt out. Same with the bottom ones. My truck is from South Dakota so no amount of penetrating oil would help. That being said it wasn't difficult, just a bit time consuming. I replaced my u-bolts and bushings while i had everything apart. That did add a bit of time.

06-23-2019, 11:13 PM	#1
domano 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: hsv al Posts: 89	Rear spring replace need pics Going to give it a try doing it myself. Will let a pro do the front. So what's involved? Easy job? Spring compressor needed? Tried to find a good video on you tube but not much luck. Thanks. __________________ 1971 C10 127 in wheelbase Model Number-CS10934 Body Type & Seating-Fleetside 8 ft. Original Factory Price-$2,854 Shipping Weight-3,605 lbs Total Production-206,313

06-24-2019, 11:07 AM	#2
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Rear spring replace need pics Coil or leaf? If coil, just jack up the truck, put the frame on jack-stands high enough so the wheels don't touch the ground when you lower it down to remove the springs. You may have to unbolt the bottom shock bolts and disconnect from the mount if it cant go low enough to remove the springs. With the truck on jack-stands and lowered just enough to take load off the springs, remove the upper and lower bolt/nut. Usually the lower one threads into the lower spring retainer while the top one has a nut on top of the frame. Slowly lower the rear end after unbolting, until the springs are clear of the frame and can be removed. But they usually fall on the ground. If Leaf, same thing, stands under frame, jack under diff. Lower to take load off, unbolts U bolts from axle/spring, then remove front and rear hanger bolts. Whatever you do, when you work on the spring make sure its unloaded. And the front you can do easy. Stands under the frame, jack under the lower control arm, jack up against arm and detach lower ball joint (and sway bar) and slowly lower. Install new spring and position upper pigtail in frame to match the insert, verify lower end of spring is in bottom pocket correctly. hold the spring against the inside of the spring pocket with a pry bar or something long and slowly jack the lower control arm back up to attach the ball joint... __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

06-24-2019, 11:11 AM	#3
bozly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Sumner, WA Posts: 34	Re: Rear spring replace need pics This guy does a great job showing you the work. You will need penetrating oil, impact gun + breaker bar, and likely a few new bolts/hardware. I needed new spring retainers $20 when I just did this on my 1971. This is not a hard job, you got this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoX4q4VxpUw&t=504s

07-02-2019, 03:41 PM	#5
domano 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: hsv al Posts: 89	Re: Rear spring replace need pics Yes coil. Thanks for the replies. I’ll watch the YouTube link. So when putting the new springs in, will they need to be compressed or can I drop the axle enough to easily place the new springs in position? Thanks again! Posted via Mobile Device

07-02-2019, 09:10 PM	#6
bozly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Sumner, WA Posts: 34	Re: Rear spring replace need pics you can drop it enough to get the new springs in without compressing them. just dont drop it so far you snap the brake lines. use a jack under the rear end to control it.

07-02-2019, 10:59 PM	#7
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,607	Re: Rear spring replace need pics The shocks will sometimes limit the suspension travel enough that you may need to remove one end's attach bolt(s) to get the suspension to drop enough. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

07-05-2019, 09:16 AM	#8
domano 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: hsv al Posts: 89	Re: Rear spring replace need pics In the youtube video above, the guy removes his track bar. I assume he does this since he upgrades to an adjustable track bar. Does the track bar need to be removed to do the spring replace job? Thanks! __________________ 1971 C10 127 in wheelbase Model Number-CS10934 Body Type & Seating-Fleetside 8 ft. Original Factory Price-$2,854 Shipping Weight-3,605 lbs Total Production-206,313

07-05-2019, 10:25 PM	#11
wpavlis Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona Posts: 313	Re: Rear spring replace need pics The hardest part is removing the old springs. I had to use my grinder and a chisel to get the upper bolt out. Same with the bottom ones. My truck is from South Dakota so no amount of penetrating oil would help. That being said it wasn't difficult, just a bit time consuming. I replaced my u-bolts and bushings while i had everything apart. That did add a bit of time.



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