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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Utah
Posts: 142
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removing coil springs
Can someone point me to a thread, or some instruction on how to remove front coil springs without killing myself? I understand they are under some pressure......what are the steps for removal?
Thanks alot!!
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69 chevy SWB 70 GTO 65 GTO hardtop 65 GTO ragtop 77 Trans Am Hmmm. Too many pontiacs, not enough chevy trucks yet. |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,527
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Put your truck up on jack stands. I usually place the jack stands under the inner pivot rods for the lower control arms. Remove the front wheels. Use a floor jack to lift the control arm slightly, which will compress the spring a little. Remove the upper ball joint cotterpin and nut. Use a pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the spindle. Lower the floor jack slowly until the spring is completely decompressed. You'll need to make sure the jack stands are high enough ahead of time that you will be able to lower the control arm pretty far with the floor jack. If the floor jack slips off the bottom of the control arm, you'll be in trouble, so make sure the floor jack is stable and engaged well with the bottom of the control arm.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB
Posts: 3,367
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What he said^ Also put a small chain around the lower control arm and spring just in case you still need some body parts.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: WATAUGA,TX
Posts: 675
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Also when you loosen the nut on the top ball joint dont take it all the way off. Only loosen it up about half way then use the pickle fork. Also move around the front of the truck as you are lowering the jack just as a added precaution.
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72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA |
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#5 | |
Weekend Warrior
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CT
Posts: 1,787
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Quote:
![]() small chain around the spring for safty sake. I ususally don't do it ![]() if you ar trying to save the ball joints don't use a pickle fork. loosen the nut about 1/2 way and take a 3lbs sledge and smack the spindle right where the ball joint goes into it (don't hit the joint...hit the spindle it self). You might have to hit it a bunch of times with some decent force bu it should pop saving the ball joint and boot. this also works for tie rod ends.
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-'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2,163
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If you've got the money, it would be a good time to atleast change the ball joints because they are a pain to change and you have to realigne the truck anyway.
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'69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks |
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#7 |
Working on a Nova.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ##
Posts: 506
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What about the coil spring clamps they make?
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2,163
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They work, but they are also hard to use and i don't always trust them.
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'69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks |
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#9 |
AttentionDeficitDisorder
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: COLORADO
Posts: 600
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also ...if you use a pickle fork correctly they dont usually damage the ball joints just the rubber dust boots around them and these are readily available fairly cheap through any auto parts store.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Idaho
Posts: 640
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What about removing these springs when the front end is cut off a frame? I can't have the weight of the truck to help with PJ's suggestion... don't know what I'll do.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,527
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Sounds like you need the spring clamps like GloryHound mentioned.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Utah
Posts: 142
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Thanks guys....Got em off, got em cut, got it lowered. It looks great.
Thanks!!
__________________
69 chevy SWB 70 GTO 65 GTO hardtop 65 GTO ragtop 77 Trans Am Hmmm. Too many pontiacs, not enough chevy trucks yet. |
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#13 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NM
Posts: 705
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Quote:
Lets's see some pics!!! Nik |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 1,255
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Quote:
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Got bored, sold everthing. Got bored, looking for a 1960-66 C-10. Want to build my last truck. |
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