Cutting coil questions

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

so i have all the tools needed: ball joint/tie rod separator, bfh, and a cut off wheel. not gonna use a torch lol

I assume that by "ball joint/tie rod seperator", you are refering to a "pickle-fork"?
If so, I would recommend against that. Those things are very hard on the rubber boots that seal the grease in the joint. It's fine if you are taking it apart to replace the joint, but if you intend to put the same joints back together? not so good, it tears the rubber.
It is far better to "pop" them apart with a hammer blow to the side of the fitting.

[1LowToy]

Good question. I think what he's asking is the upper spring pocket critical for the placement of the spring. Can it be like 180 degrees out and fit properly in the top spring pocket?

GMC Guy If you wanna come up here and help me with mine for practice I think I'm about ready. At least the sun should be out.

[mooseknuckles]

cut a half coil off the bottom of the spring, If I remember correctly the top is curled tighter to fit in the seat of the pocket, the bottom doesn't matter so much..

[nathansmith15]

the top is curled tighter to fit but the bottom doesnt matter i was surprised at how much i had to cut out of mine to get it to make very much of a difference at all . . . i think it was where the bottom doesnt start to actually curl up untill about a coil and a half

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

Good question. I think what he's asking is the upper spring pocket critical for the placement of the spring. Can it be like 180 degrees out and fit properly in the top spring pocket?

GMC Guy If you wanna come up here and help me with mine for practice I think I'm about ready. At least the sun should be out.

this is my main question, how should the spring fit on the lca with half a coil cut? or does anyone have any pics that can clear this up for me?

thanks for the offer LowToy, but driving to sonora would be some expensive practice haha

[GMC Guy]

thanks for the replies guys, losing a coil spring while going down the highway because it wasn't seated properly, doesn't sound fun haha

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

I assume that by "ball joint/tie rod seperator", you are refering to a "pickle-fork"?

Sidebar:

I HAVE to tell this story (it's Longhair's fault):

Right after I left the assembly plant, my first job in Engineering was at the GM Milford Proving Ground.

I was just a young pup, and I was working with one of the mechanics/technicians on the front end of one of these trucks. While we were working, he sent me over to the tool crib to grab a "pickle fork" for him.

While I was walking across the garage, I was thinking to myself "...geez. Here I am working for the largest, most advanced, most profitable automaker in the world. I can't walk over to the tool crib and ask the guy for a "pickle fork"....he's gonna think I'm some kind of small town hick or something".

I sauntered up to the window and, leaning causually on the window sill, trying to be as cool as possible, I said: "hey, can I have a 'ball joint separator'".

Acting like he didn't hear me, the crib guy said "...a what?"

"A ball joint separator" I repeated, my chest puffed out with pride.

Looking confused, he said "You mean a 'pickle fork'?"

I put my head down. "yeah, a pickle fork" I said, sheepishly.



I guess if it's good enough for those guys, it's good enough for me....