how to remove springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68w/sbc406 · 09-17-2004, 07:48 PM

i have a cross member that is not on a truck and i need to get the spindles off, how do i pull them out with out the springs springing out and taking off my leg??? i dont have any spring compressors either. any ideas

SCOTI · 09-17-2004, 08:02 PM

Put a decent sized piece of rope (or chain) through the spring pocket & around @ least 1 coil to contain the spring when you 'pop' the ball joint/s loose. Hold on to the ends of the rope & if the spring does go somewhere, you can keep it from shooting off out of control.

68w/sbc406 · 09-17-2004, 08:07 PM

nice now i just need to find something

c-1072 · 09-17-2004, 08:43 PM

If you got a torch handy cut the springs if not bring it to somebody .

Brainchild · 09-17-2004, 09:05 PM

Get several friend to stand on it enough to compensate for the engine/trans weight.You'll see the springs compress when you have enough weight on it,then when you get it loose,have the smaller person to step off slowly to release the tension.

Works for me

Longhorn Man · 09-17-2004, 10:07 PM

Unbolt the a-arm from the through shaft...on the oposite end of the a arm. Unbolt that, the arm won't be able to move much...just enough to let the load off the spring. Then remove the spring, and get to work on the spindles.

68w/sbc406 · 09-17-2004, 10:12 PM

i wraped a chain through the lower control arm and up the spring and put a pad lock on it. work good. i felt a little wierd taking a shower with gojo and then washing my hair with my GF's dove shampoo though. thanks for all of the input

Brainchild · 09-17-2004, 11:39 PM

Next time use Fast Orange,it smells better IMO:p

68w/sbc406 · 09-18-2004, 11:09 PM

LMFAO

1BadSS · 09-18-2004, 11:20 PM

come on now, a decent spring compressor is like $45 max.

Longhorn Man · 09-18-2004, 11:27 PM

Yeah, but there is no real need for a spring compressor on these trucks. If the truck is assembled, you have it up on jack stands, place floor jack under a-arm, pop lower ball joint, slowly release jack, and spring gently falls out onto the floor.
Rear springs are even easier...support by frame, unbolt shocks, panhard bar, loosen trailing arms up front, and lower axle with jack.
No flying springs, no broken legs...and 45 bucks in your pocket.
Heck, I only use compressors on front wheel drive cars and mc pherson strut cars.

gregsplace · 09-19-2004, 10:42 AM

Like Longhornman said. There is not much spring tension on the springs on these trucks to be concerned about. Remove u-bolts on lower control arm shaft, spring will just fall out.(not fly 10 feet, lol)

68w/sbc406 · 09-19-2004, 05:31 PM

i wasnt sure how much tention would be on them. but i wraped a chain around for safe measure, and i actually had to stand on the lower controll arm to get enough clearance to pull it out. i would do it again with out a chain. i did a front set of struts on a honda and when i took the nut off of the top the strut sprung 15 feet. i was just picturing that happening uncontroled with a chevy spring.

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2004, 05:34 PM

I'll agree, better safe than sorry, a spring that shoots out can be deadly...however, on this version, there is no need.

09-17-2004, 07:48 PM	#1
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	how to remove springs i have a cross member that is not on a truck and i need to get the spindles off, how do i pull them out with out the springs springing out and taking off my leg??? i dont have any spring compressors either. any ideas __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

09-17-2004, 08:02 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,939	Put a decent sized piece of rope (or chain) through the spring pocket & around @ least 1 coil to contain the spring when you 'pop' the ball joint/s loose. Hold on to the ends of the rope & if the spring does go somewhere, you can keep it from shooting off out of control. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-17-2004, 08:07 PM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	nice now i just need to find something __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

09-17-2004, 09:05 PM	#5
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Get several friend to stand on it enough to compensate for the engine/trans weight.You'll see the springs compress when you have enough weight on it,then when you get it loose,have the smaller person to step off slowly to release the tension. Works for me __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

09-17-2004, 10:12 PM	#7
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i wraped a chain through the lower control arm and up the spring and put a pad lock on it. work good. i felt a little wierd taking a shower with gojo and then washing my hair with my GF's dove shampoo though. thanks for all of the input __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler Last edited by 68w/sbc406; 09-17-2004 at 10:19 PM.

09-17-2004, 08:43 PM	#4
c-1072 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: rochester NY Posts: 777	If you got a torch handy cut the springs if not bring it to somebody .

09-17-2004, 10:07 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Unbolt the a-arm from the through shaft...on the oposite end of the a arm. Unbolt that, the arm won't be able to move much...just enough to let the load off the spring. Then remove the spring, and get to work on the spindles.

09-17-2004, 11:39 PM	#8
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Next time use Fast Orange,it smells better IMO:p __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

09-18-2004, 11:09 PM	#9
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	LMFAO __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

09-18-2004, 11:20 PM	#10
1BadSS NOT REALLY BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,072	come on now, a decent spring compressor is like $45 max. __________________ 1987 Mustang Coupe - 2.7 Stroker, 78mm turbo, Stainless header, 3" Exh, FMIC, 160lb/hr Injectors, MS3, twin walbro 255's, 34psi. Eating V8's daily. 04 Pontiac GTO 04 Ford Mustang GT 68 C20 LWB stripper truck 73 K5 Cheyenne 76 C20 Sierra Crew SRW 88 K20 Suburban I'm not hammering on metal just to hammer, i'm creating a piece of art.

09-18-2004, 11:27 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, but there is no real need for a spring compressor on these trucks. If the truck is assembled, you have it up on jack stands, place floor jack under a-arm, pop lower ball joint, slowly release jack, and spring gently falls out onto the floor. Rear springs are even easier...support by frame, unbolt shocks, panhard bar, loosen trailing arms up front, and lower axle with jack. No flying springs, no broken legs...and 45 bucks in your pocket. Heck, I only use compressors on front wheel drive cars and mc pherson strut cars.

09-19-2004, 10:42 AM	#12
gregsplace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Colwich,Kansas Posts: 713	Like Longhornman said. There is not much spring tension on the springs on these trucks to be concerned about. Remove u-bolts on lower control arm shaft, spring will just fall out.(not fly 10 feet, lol) __________________ 67 3/4 4x4 402,a/t,flat bed 98 GMC Sierra swb daily driver 87 burb parting out. 68 1/2 chevy, 350/350, 71 gmc frame, kid's beater 69 1ton 396-4sp, dump 69 swb stepside 396/400th current frameup 67 swb 454/400th rebuilding now, oldest boy just rolled it 99,HD, Road King Classic Colwich Ks

09-19-2004, 05:31 PM	#13
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i wasnt sure how much tention would be on them. but i wraped a chain around for safe measure, and i actually had to stand on the lower controll arm to get enough clearance to pull it out. i would do it again with out a chain. i did a front set of struts on a honda and when i took the nut off of the top the strut sprung 15 feet. i was just picturing that happening uncontroled with a chevy spring. __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

09-19-2004, 05:34 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I'll agree, better safe than sorry, a spring that shoots out can be deadly...however, on this version, there is no need.



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