will be swapping coils soon.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**'70_402** · 03-28-2005, 03:58 PM

I will be swapping my coil springs soon and i was wondering what do i need to look foward to and what do i need to be careful of.. ( i have never taken out coils before) so i don't want one to smack me in the face and i become uglier than i already am... what is needed to do the swap or if anyone has a thread that covers this i would be interested. front and rear please... all i am doing is coils for now.. other components will come later...

Thanks in advance..

Rick

Joe67 · 03-28-2005, 04:11 PM

Some say no compressor needed, others say you do.
I prefer to take the safe route and rent a coil spring compressor, most places end up loaning them out for free

busterwivell · 03-28-2005, 04:42 PM

For the fronts, I have compressors. If not, then chain them and lock the chain. If not, they can take off on you and REALLY change your looks. Seriously, they can get away and hurt you BAD. The rears, unbolt the shocks and pull them out.

Alexis · 03-28-2005, 04:51 PM

compressors?!?!? for what?

I use to do suspension work and I never used a compressor on coil front ends. I did alot of trucks. if i had to get the job done I didn't even use a jack. Our trucks are cake, just put a jack on the the lower controlle arm brake off the lower ball joint, or which ever you like and slowly lower......done.

nathank · 03-28-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexis

compressors?!?!? for what?

I use to do suspension work and I never used a compressor on coil front ends. I did alot of trucks. if i had to get the job done I didn't even use a jack. Our trucks are cake, just put a jack on the the lower controlle arm brake off the lower ball joint, or which ever you like and slowly lower......done.

and don't stand in front of it while lowering the jack (just for extra safety)

Alexis · 03-28-2005, 06:45 PM

good advice, I almost set the jack handle to angle out towards the front

72BLAZERDUDE · 03-28-2005, 07:57 PM

Just did my sons front springs and they were a piece of cake. No compressor needed, Put the floor jack under the lower a-arm. Backed off both upper and lower ball joints about half way. Smack the side of the spindle where the ball joint is with a big hammer. Lower the floor jack real slow. It was that simple. Heck hardest part about doing the front end was trying to scrape off 30 years of oil and caked on dirt.

busterwivell · 03-28-2005, 10:59 PM

OK, but I'll still use compressers or a chain. Wait till one gets away......

68w/sbc406 · 03-28-2005, 11:05 PM

i took some out of a cross member that wasnt on a truck. i was a bit scared of that, but i did the chain and lock thing, after it was all done i didnt even think i needed it. the springs didnt even move. but better safe than sorry

Jimbotronics · 03-29-2005, 10:02 AM

I used the advise from Greasemonkey - "support the truck, stick a jack under the lower control arm shafts and unbolt the ubolts holding them on. Lower the jack and pull the spring out". I used an additional jack under the coil spring just to be on the safe side. Bolted the ubolts back in the exact place and was good to go.

70c10 · 03-29-2005, 10:40 AM

When you swap out front springs, how BAD is the front out of alignment?. I'm just curious what the truck feels like while driving it to the alignment shop afterwards. Thanks

Jimbotronics · 03-29-2005, 10:49 AM

I just made sure that I put the ubolts back in the 'exact' same place and didn't feel any issues at all.

03-28-2005, 03:58 PM	#1
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,553	will be swapping coils soon.... I will be swapping my coil springs soon and i was wondering what do i need to look foward to and what do i need to be careful of.. ( i have never taken out coils before) so i don't want one to smack me in the face and i become uglier than i already am... what is needed to do the swap or if anyone has a thread that covers this i would be interested. front and rear please... all i am doing is coils for now.. other components will come later... Thanks in advance.. Rick __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/29620574751...mis&media=COPY

03-28-2005, 04:11 PM	#2
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Some say no compressor needed, others say you do. I prefer to take the safe route and rent a coil spring compressor, most places end up loaning them out for free __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

03-28-2005, 04:42 PM	#3
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	For the fronts, I have compressors. If not, then chain them and lock the chain. If not, they can take off on you and REALLY change your looks. Seriously, they can get away and hurt you BAD. The rears, unbolt the shocks and pull them out. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

03-28-2005, 07:57 PM	#7
72BLAZERDUDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: WATAUGA,TX Posts: 675	Just did my sons front springs and they were a piece of cake. No compressor needed, Put the floor jack under the lower a-arm. Backed off both upper and lower ball joints about half way. Smack the side of the spindle where the ball joint is with a big hammer. Lower the floor jack real slow. It was that simple. Heck hardest part about doing the front end was trying to scrape off 30 years of oil and caked on dirt. __________________ 72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA

03-28-2005, 10:59 PM	#8
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	OK, but I'll still use compressers or a chain. Wait till one gets away...... __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

03-28-2005, 04:51 PM	#4
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	compressors?!?!? for what? I use to do suspension work and I never used a compressor on coil front ends. I did alot of trucks. if i had to get the job done I didn't even use a jack. Our trucks are cake, just put a jack on the the lower controlle arm brake off the lower ball joint, or which ever you like and slowly lower......done.

03-28-2005, 06:45 PM	#6
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	good advice, I almost set the jack handle to angle out towards the front

03-28-2005, 11:05 PM	#9
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i took some out of a cross member that wasnt on a truck. i was a bit scared of that, but i did the chain and lock thing, after it was all done i didnt even think i needed it. the springs didnt even move. but better safe than sorry __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

03-29-2005, 10:02 AM	#10
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	I used the advise from Greasemonkey - "support the truck, stick a jack under the lower control arm shafts and unbolt the ubolts holding them on. Lower the jack and pull the spring out". I used an additional jack under the coil spring just to be on the safe side. Bolted the ubolts back in the exact place and was good to go. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

03-29-2005, 10:40 AM	#11
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	When you swap out front springs, how BAD is the front out of alignment?. I'm just curious what the truck feels like while driving it to the alignment shop afterwards. Thanks __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

03-29-2005, 10:49 AM	#12
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	I just made sure that I put the ubolts back in the 'exact' same place and didn't feel any issues at all. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707



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