Spring compression - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Robert Bergstrom · 09-06-2010, 10:49 PM

I am upgrading to the 2-1/2" drop spindles and am keeping the stock springs. I have rented a few spring compressors from local auto parts stores. They work but the bolt in the middle is too long and I cannot get it out of the middle without compressing it again to get it out. Should I be looking for a shorter bolt unit? Do I need a spring compressor with a one inch drop spring? I do not want a big drop. My arms have gotten a workout today.

westofb · 09-07-2010, 12:36 AM

If you are only wanting to install new spindles, there is no need to remove the springs from the truck. Put the truck on jack stands (on frame of truck), remove cotter pins from both ball joints, loosen both ball joint nuts about 3 or 4 turns (make sure you don't loosen them too much, leave some threads exposed outside the nuts, get a BFH, smack the crap out of the old spindle near the area of the lower ball joint to pop the ball joints loose, put a floor jack under the lower a arm to take pressure off spindle, remove ball joint nuts, lift up on upper arm to free spindle, install new spindle and your done.

**El Jay** · 09-07-2010, 01:15 AM

The only thing that I would do differently is put the floor jack loosely under the control arm, before using the BFH.
Just in case there is some kind of freak, catastrophic failure with 1 of the ball joints.

Jacfourteen · 09-07-2010, 01:24 AM

Mine is a 3/4 ton so the springs are longer and stronger and I followed the suggestions above and it worked great. No need for a compressor.

westofb · 09-07-2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jay

The only thing that I would do differently is put the floor jack loosely under the control arm, before using the BFH.
Just in case there is some kind of freak, catastrophic failure with 1 of the ball joints.

Yes this is a good idea, I normally would do this myself, just neglected to add that step in my post. If one of the bj's failed without the jack in "stand by" position under the lower control arm, I wouldn't want to be standing anywhere close to it when that spring shot out of there!
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PanelDeland · 09-07-2010, 01:57 PM

To add even more safety run a chain thru the spring and bolt the ends together.

Robert Bergstrom · 09-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Sorry, I have a powdercoated frame I am working with. No engine or other weight on it. I wonder how the factory workers did it? I will look at rental places tomorrow to see if they have any compressors with a shorter center bolt.

Robert Bergstrom · 08-04-2012, 05:53 PM

Still have not installed the front springs. Did get 1 inch drop springs and plan on using the engine and transmission weight to compress them. Will that work? Just don't like the spring compressors I see at the auto parts store. How did the factory do it?

09-06-2010, 10:49 PM	#1
Robert Bergstrom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 111	Spring compression I am upgrading to the 2-1/2" drop spindles and am keeping the stock springs. I have rented a few spring compressors from local auto parts stores. They work but the bolt in the middle is too long and I cannot get it out of the middle without compressing it again to get it out. Should I be looking for a shorter bolt unit? Do I need a spring compressor with a one inch drop spring? I do not want a big drop. My arms have gotten a workout today. __________________ Vancouver Bob

09-07-2010, 12:36 AM	#2
westofb I really hate wet sanding! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Brookfield, MO Posts: 601	Re: Spring compression If you are only wanting to install new spindles, there is no need to remove the springs from the truck. Put the truck on jack stands (on frame of truck), remove cotter pins from both ball joints, loosen both ball joint nuts about 3 or 4 turns (make sure you don't loosen them too much, leave some threads exposed outside the nuts, get a BFH, smack the crap out of the old spindle near the area of the lower ball joint to pop the ball joints loose, put a floor jack under the lower a arm to take pressure off spindle, remove ball joint nuts, lift up on upper arm to free spindle, install new spindle and your done. __________________ Jeff, 68 C-10 75 C-20, now a C-10! 10 F-150

09-07-2010, 01:15 AM	#3
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Spring compression The only thing that I would do differently is put the floor jack loosely under the control arm, before using the BFH. Just in case there is some kind of freak, catastrophic failure with 1 of the ball joints. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck Last edited by El Jay; 09-07-2010 at 01:15 AM.

09-07-2010, 01:24 AM	#4
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: Spring compression Mine is a 3/4 ton so the springs are longer and stronger and I followed the suggestions above and it worked great. No need for a compressor. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

09-07-2010, 01:57 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Spring compression To add even more safety run a chain thru the spring and bolt the ends together. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-07-2010, 07:41 PM	#7
Robert Bergstrom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 111	Re: Spring compression Sorry, I have a powdercoated frame I am working with. No engine or other weight on it. I wonder how the factory workers did it? I will look at rental places tomorrow to see if they have any compressors with a shorter center bolt. __________________ Vancouver Bob

08-04-2012, 05:53 PM	#8
Robert Bergstrom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 111	Re: Spring compression Still have not installed the front springs. Did get 1 inch drop springs and plan on using the engine and transmission weight to compress them. Will that work? Just don't like the spring compressors I see at the auto parts store. How did the factory do it? __________________ Vancouver Bob

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