removing coil springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

backinblack · 06-07-2005, 02:55 AM

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!!

**pjmoreland** · 06-07-2005, 11:40 AM

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.

67chevemall · 06-07-2005, 12:01 PM

What he said^ Also put a small chain around the lower control arm and spring just in case you still need some body parts.

72BLAZERDUDE · 06-07-2005, 01:51 PM

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.

arkracing · 06-07-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67chevemall

What he said^ Also put a small chain around the lower control arm and spring just in case you still need some body parts.

small chain around the spring for safty sake. I ususally don't do it

but it is always better to be safe than lose an eye or arm or leg or a FENDER for that matter.

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.

Low69CST · 06-07-2005, 10:19 PM

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.

GloryHound · 06-08-2005, 03:24 PM

What about the coil spring clamps they make?

Low69CST · 06-08-2005, 07:39 PM

They work, but they are also hard to use and i don't always trust them.

milehightoyz · 06-09-2005, 10:34 PM

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.

Jakes-66-K10 · 06-09-2005, 11:14 PM

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.

**pjmoreland** · 06-09-2005, 11:18 PM

Sounds like you need the spring clamps like GloryHound mentioned.

backinblack · 06-09-2005, 11:56 PM

Thanks guys....Got em off, got em cut, got it lowered. It looks great.

Thanks!!

laplander · 06-09-2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinblack

Thanks guys....Got em off, got em cut, got it lowered. It looks great.

Thanks!!

Lets's see some pics!!!

Nik

tomatocity · 06-10-2005, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinblack

Thanks guys....Got em off, got em cut, got it lowered. It looks great.

Thanks!!

Hope you used a highspeed disc to cut the springs and not a torch. How much did you cut them, one full coil or two full coils? Lets see the photos

06-07-2005, 02:55 AM	#1
backinblack Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 142	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!! __________________ 69 chevy SWB 70 GTO 65 GTO hardtop 65 GTO ragtop 77 Trans Am Hmmm. Too many pontiacs, not enough chevy trucks yet.

06-07-2005, 01:51 PM	#4
72BLAZERDUDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: WATAUGA,TX Posts: 660	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. __________________ 72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA

06-07-2005, 10:19 PM	#6
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	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. __________________ '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

06-08-2005, 07:39 PM	#8
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	They work, but they are also hard to use and i don't always trust them. __________________ '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

06-09-2005, 11:56 PM	#12
backinblack Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Utah Posts: 142	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.

06-07-2005, 11:40 AM	#2
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,426	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.

06-07-2005, 12:01 PM	#3
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	What he said^ Also put a small chain around the lower control arm and spring just in case you still need some body parts.

06-08-2005, 03:24 PM	#7
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	What about the coil spring clamps they make?

06-09-2005, 10:34 PM	#9
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 600	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.

06-09-2005, 11:14 PM	#10
Jakes-66-K10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 640	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.

06-09-2005, 11:18 PM	#11
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,426	Sounds like you need the spring clamps like GloryHound mentioned.



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