Help lowering the Blue Heeler

[Blue Heeler]

Hey guys, after waiting a month on a lowering kit i was wondering when tearing apart the front-end do i need ball joint tools to tear down a-arms or is it just a set screw and a spring compressor that i need? this is for a 65
c-10. thanks.

[erock805]

You will be safer if you did use a spring compressor if you have never done anything like this...Yet On these trucks I never used one. As I recal, if you are doing the ball joints you have to cutt the rivits off (unless they have already been replaced) then just take the bolts off. NOt too tough, just got to work through it.

[jimmydean]

If you have a grinder or air chisel to remove the top rivets, then rent a ball joint press for the lowers. Not a bad idea to replace your tie rod ends and get everything new, then get it aligned once it's all together.

I've never used a spring compressor on these, but it's not a bad idea. Just be careful, there is a good how to about it on here, I'm sure there are plenty of threads with pictures, too. It's basically the same process for all years.

[chopper john]

lossen the nuts on the spindle and with a small mallot you hit the part on the spindle where the ball joint goes through, they should pop out . once they pop get a floor jack and take the tension off the nuts and remove , drop the controlarm. im thinking your doing spindle and spring ?

[Blue Heeler]

I was not planning on changing the ball-joints but since i'm in there i might as well
thanks for the help guys will take pictures but still having trouble posting. it shows me something like http b*llsh#t this and that.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by chopper john

lossen the nuts on the spindle and with a small mallot you hit the part on the spindle where the ball joint goes through, they should pop out . once they pop get a floor jack and take the tension off the nuts and remove , drop the controlarm. im thinking your doing spindle and spring ?

I'm with chopper john - this is the way I do it. Have used a spring compressor in the past but found this (chopper john way, not the spring compressor way) to be the best and safest way. The key is to have the floor jack under the lower control arm just barely touching - that way it allows the spring pressure to help pop the spindle loose but also keeps it from flying across the garage. Once it's loose, then just lower the jack handle SLOWLY...

Good luck.

[old cruiser]

Originally Posted by jocko

I'm with chopper john - this is the way I do it. Have used a spring compressor in the past but found this (chopper john way, not the spring compressor way) to be the best and safest way. The key is to have the floor jack under the lower control arm just barely touching - that way it allows the spring pressure to help pop the spindle loose but also keeps it from flying across the garage. Once it's loose, then just lower the jack handle SLOWLY...

Good luck.

You may want to undo 1 shocker mount just makes life a little easier to let control drop further, but yes jack just under arm is the way to go.

[jocko]

Hey Blue Heeler, do you have a Blue Heeler? I gotta ask!

[chopper john]

hey blue heeler. if your truck runs and you dont mind driving to anaheim, then i dont mind giving you a hand with this . fairly simple . i was also saying without changing the ball joints . no special tools.just a floor jack and a nice mallot. i have the tools at home.

[Blue Heeler]

Originally Posted by jocko

Hey Blue Heeler, do you have a Blue Heeler? I gotta ask!

Sure do. this guy is a nut. you gotta keep him busy.

[Blue Heeler]

Originally Posted by chopper john

hey blue heeler. if your truck runs and you dont mind driving to anaheim, then i dont mind giving you a hand with this . fairly simple . i was also saying without changing the ball joints . no special tools.just a floor jack and a nice mallot. i have the tools at home.

Chopper john thanks for the invite. went to my buddies tire shop yesterday and used his lift.and just started going at it with a couple of friends. started at 8am and finished about
2:30 did springs, shocks, idler arm. just a little sore from snapping bolts feeling like a circus clown.. looks much better. i dont think i'll go much lower
because my welding machine weights about 600lbs but i will fab up brackets for some helper bags. i still running stock rims but cant wait to put my old skool rallys with flat caps. Thanks everyone on your help, i'm sure i'll be asking again. now i just need to figure how to upload some pictures.

[chopper john]

are you going to the cpp truck show ?

[Blue Heeler]

Originally Posted by chopper john

are you going to the cpp truck show ?

Hell yeah im going!! sprung a radiator leak from the upper hose yesterday and fix that!! now another leak from radiator. screw it i'm ordering new water pump,lower hose and radiator. I seen something bout everyone meeting up somewhere and cruising to the shop keep me posted.. i'll have a 30pk of coorlight in the back of my truck if anyone would like a cold one. haha