Removing front coils w/o spring compressors.

[Dano69c10]

If I jack up the frame and remove the front wheels and get full downward travel from the a-arms can I remove the front (stock) springs w/o a spring compressor?
Just wondering if there will be any spring tension when I go to remove the lower a-arm u-bolts.
Thanx in advance.
Dano

[5150]

there will be tension, just lower the lower a-arms with a jack SLOWLY!!!!!!!

[dave2953]

I've heard stories about springs wreaking havoc if they come flying out. Like Yellow69 said, take your time.

[Shane]

place truck on jack stands
place floor jack under lower control arm
loosen TOP spindle/ball joint nut - but do NOT remove yet
hit top portion of spindle to un-seat ball joint
re-check floor jack and make sure it has tension on lower control arm
remove spindle nut
sl-o-o-o-o-owly lower floor jack
remove spring
repeat on other side
reassemble in reverse order
open beer
stand back
admire work

[49studebaker]

I like shane's way of thinking! I actually rented a spring compressor, of course the highly trained and experienced folks from Checker Auto gave me a strut spring compressor(no it didn't work and yes, the Checker employees in this town don't even own vehicles). So I did it like Shane says. The only problem was that my truck was down to the bare chassis and so I didn't have the weight of the truck to push against once it was time to put them back in. I ended up using tie downs to cinch them up close enough to get the ball joint nuts on.

[N2TRUX]

If your only replacing the spring and not the spindle there is another way. Same concept that Shane describes, but unbolt the u-bolts that hold the A-arm to the frame and lower the back of the A-arm down slowly. Insert spring and repeat in reverse.

[Dano69c10]

Thanx guys, luckily it is a bare rolling frame that I'm working with. I went to Kragen and they didn't have the right compressor. (Is Kragen and Checker related?) I did run a chain through the spring just in case it decided to fly, but it was not needed.
Dano