Front Coil Springs

[MacQuigley]

Hi difficult should it be to fit front springs?

Ive been trying all afternoon to assemble new front suspension consisting of POL upper and lower tubular control arms, Wilwood 2.5" drop spindle and disc brakes and standard height spring.

Ive ended up refitting the 2" drop front springs as I could not get the standard height in.

It shouldn't be that hard, should it?

I should say Im working on a bare chassis on stands so its hard to compress the spring using the jack as there is next to now weight on it and my spring compressors are simply too big to get in.

[jtrichard]

You really NEED the full weight of the truck do put them in with a floor jack

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

You really NEED the full weight of the truck do put them in with a floor jack

Yep, you need the full weight of the truck OR chain your frame and jack together so they cannot move apart. Done that before.

[MacQuigley]

Thanks guy's for the advice. It may come to chaining the two together but I need to get a rolling chassis for Friday (I need to move the chassis to get my trailer out to head to a show) so for now Im going to fit the original springs.

Im sure Im doing something wrong but maybe it is just because there isnt enough weight on the chassis.

[60chevyjim]

yes it is because you have the bare frame .
I put a chain under the floor jack and over the stock upper a arm
on the one 65 I just did with no body on the chassis and with new LMC stock height springs and it had a 350 engine and trans in it ..
on my 65 6 cyl 3spd truck I cut a loop and a half off the stock 6cyl springs to lower it
so that one went right together no problem

[The Rocknrod]

I have the same problem. Same POL tubular a-arms. The other option would be is to get a spring compressor. But like people said, until I get the weight of the truck on the rolling chassis I'm just shooting in the dark anyway. I made a couple of 4"X4" wood blocks to set it up until after paint.

[N2TRUX]

Its the lack of weight thats giving you a fit. Sometimes you have to get creative. I had to add ballast to my frame so I could install the rear shocks.

[MacQuigley]

Thanks guy's. Im going to wait now until I get the engine fitted as I think thats the best course.

One question for The Rocknrod, did you have any issues with the steering stop on your spindle hitting the lower control arm rather than the steering stop on the control arm.

Again this may be a lack of weight issue but I can not tighten the lower control arm fully. When I do the spindle contacts the control arm rather than the steering stop block.