Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HeavyHauler · 02-03-2020, 11:19 AM

Are there any particular things to watch out for when installing front coil springs into a 1967-1972 Chevy C10?

I am installing some front 2.5 lowering springs and want to make sure I get them installed correctly.

phlegm · 02-03-2020, 11:39 AM

Just did this in the fall. I did mine without pulling any of the control arm bushings or anything. There are 2 u bolts on each side holding the base of the spring up. I put a short chain around the spring and locked it together to the base so it didn't get away from me. Unbolted the 4 u bolts and let the base down easy with a jack.

Did the reverse for the install. While the springs were off I should have done the tie rod bushings, but I was able to do them later... just more difficult.

Now getting new tires and will have alignment done shortly after to make sure its all good.

HeavyHauler · 02-03-2020, 02:31 PM

I should have mentioned that I am in the process of rebuilding the entire front suspension and I have already rebuilt then installed the upper and lower control arms complete with ball joints BUT i have not installed the spindle yet.

Is there a certain particular way the front coil springs are fitted into the lower control arm and fit into the upper portion of the cross member?

68Stepbed · 02-03-2020, 06:11 PM

YouTube is your friend!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMYWFWqUZ9c

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 02-04-2020, 01:24 AM

We installed factory height coil springs on 2.5" drop spindles last year, so a little tougher to install than original right.

The big block was on the frame, and the weight of my two sons (400 lbs) on the block. The frame was supported by many stands, and blocks underneath the engine cross-member. Floor jack underneath the lower A arm, I'm pumping away, my son says look. The rear of the frame was well off the jack same side

If I remember right, the rear relaxed some using a transmission jack and 2x4 on the front of the frame.

Good idea to secure the coils with a chain or ratchet tie down.

Other than that what 68Stepbed said, great video.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 02-04-2020, 11:50 PM

Apology for hijacking, but expert front coil advice is needed:
On my '68 C/10 Stepside, I've noticed the passenger side dips about 2-3'' lower than the drivers side. I had the OEM front coils replaced in the mid-'80s with Moog HD coils. Stock stance.
Looking at coils on RockAuto, I see Variable Rate, Constant Rate and Heavy Duty springs listed. What's the difference?

rpmerf · 02-05-2020, 09:27 AM

From what I've heard. No first hand experience.
Variable rate is usually like 3 springs welded together. Can be good for a softer ride unloaded, and higher spring rate when you are loaded. Can be weird when you hit the transition points though.

Constant rate will always compress at the same rate. More predictable, but gives a harsher ride unloaded.

Heavy duty will have a higher spring rate than standard. The half ton heavy duty springs are basically 3/4 ton standard springs.

The AC Delco springs listed on Rock Auto for a 68 C10:

Front Standard - 2406 lb load rate, constant
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2216

Front Heavy Duty - 2600 lb load rate, constant
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2217

Rear Variable - 950 lb, variable
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2218

Rear Heavy Duty - 1700 lb, variable
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=2219&jsn=2219

EDIT:
In figuring out why one side is lower. Park on level ground with the E brake off. Measure from the ground to the top of the wheel well on both sides, compare. Measure from the ground to the bottom of the lower control arm on each side to be sure that is the same. Look around for anything worn or different between the sides. See if you can measure to determine how compressed the spring is. Shocks can play a role also if they are worn.

ga-stepside · 02-05-2020, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

YouTube is your friend!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMYWFWqUZ9c

I used that exact video when I did mine. I even bought that tool works great. I had no problem at all doing this.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 02-05-2020, 05:10 PM

rpmerf-- Thanks, Man. I'll bet it's a bad shock.

02-03-2020, 11:19 AM	#1
HeavyHauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Posts: 381	Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 Are there any particular things to watch out for when installing front coil springs into a 1967-1972 Chevy C10? I am installing some front 2.5 lowering springs and want to make sure I get them installed correctly.

02-03-2020, 11:39 AM	#2
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 Just did this in the fall. I did mine without pulling any of the control arm bushings or anything. There are 2 u bolts on each side holding the base of the spring up. I put a short chain around the spring and locked it together to the base so it didn't get away from me. Unbolted the 4 u bolts and let the base down easy with a jack. Did the reverse for the install. While the springs were off I should have done the tie rod bushings, but I was able to do them later... just more difficult. Now getting new tires and will have alignment done shortly after to make sure its all good. __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

02-03-2020, 02:31 PM	#3
HeavyHauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Posts: 381	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 I should have mentioned that I am in the process of rebuilding the entire front suspension and I have already rebuilt then installed the upper and lower control arms complete with ball joints BUT i have not installed the spindle yet. Is there a certain particular way the front coil springs are fitted into the lower control arm and fit into the upper portion of the cross member?

02-03-2020, 06:11 PM	#4
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 YouTube is your friend!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMYWFWqUZ9c __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

02-04-2020, 01:24 AM	#5
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,189	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 We installed factory height coil springs on 2.5" drop spindles last year, so a little tougher to install than original right. The big block was on the frame, and the weight of my two sons (400 lbs) on the block. The frame was supported by many stands, and blocks underneath the engine cross-member. Floor jack underneath the lower A arm, I'm pumping away, my son says look. The rear of the frame was well off the jack same side If I remember right, the rear relaxed some using a transmission jack and 2x4 on the front of the frame. Good idea to secure the coils with a chain or ratchet tie down. Other than that what 68Stepbed said, great video. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 02-04-2020 at 01:31 AM.

02-04-2020, 11:50 PM	#6
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,185	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 Apology for hijacking, but expert front coil advice is needed: On my '68 C/10 Stepside, I've noticed the passenger side dips about 2-3'' lower than the drivers side. I had the OEM front coils replaced in the mid-'80s with Moog HD coils. Stock stance. Looking at coils on RockAuto, I see Variable Rate, Constant Rate and Heavy Duty springs listed. What's the difference? __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

02-05-2020, 09:27 AM	#7
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 From what I've heard. No first hand experience. Variable rate is usually like 3 springs welded together. Can be good for a softer ride unloaded, and higher spring rate when you are loaded. Can be weird when you hit the transition points though. Constant rate will always compress at the same rate. More predictable, but gives a harsher ride unloaded. Heavy duty will have a higher spring rate than standard. The half ton heavy duty springs are basically 3/4 ton standard springs. The AC Delco springs listed on Rock Auto for a 68 C10: Front Standard - 2406 lb load rate, constant https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2216 Front Heavy Duty - 2600 lb load rate, constant https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2217 Rear Variable - 950 lb, variable https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...29743&jsn=2218 Rear Heavy Duty - 1700 lb, variable https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=2219&jsn=2219 EDIT: In figuring out why one side is lower. Park on level ground with the E brake off. Measure from the ground to the top of the wheel well on both sides, compare. Measure from the ground to the bottom of the lower control arm on each side to be sure that is the same. Look around for anything worn or different between the sides. See if you can measure to determine how compressed the spring is. Shocks can play a role also if they are worn. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

02-05-2020, 05:10 PM	#9
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,185	Re: Any trick to installing coil springs in 1968 Chevy C10 rpmerf-- Thanks, Man. I'll bet it's a bad shock. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.



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