front suspension

[creeldaddy]

has anyone had a problem getting the front coil springs compressed to assemble the front suspention , i got a set of spring compressors from advance auto but the bolts are to big to fit between the a arms, am i doing this wrong or what

here is a couple of pics flash didn't work

[crawdadjr]

I ran into the same problem.....I ended up putting the truck up on tall jack stands supporting the frame. I then used a floor jack under the lower A arm to compress the spring. Careful not to lift the truck off the jack stands. I then was able to assemble the A arms with the spindles......may not be the prefered method but worked for me!

[69c10step]

I don't know if it was the proper way, but after trying 2 different types of spring compressors that didn't seem to work right, I removed the bump stops (to gain a couple more inches of play) and used 2 "big" pry bars to pop out the old and pop in the new. It took some time get them back in, but they finally got in there. Then used the pry bar to lift the upper control arm back up to squeeze in the bump stops.

This is just what worked for me. Good luck

[Ram-Man]

This probably wont help because it looks like you are outside but I ran a support from the top of the frame to my garage ceiling to hold the frame down then used a floor jack under the lower control arm to compress the spring.

[OJOE]

Originally Posted by crawdadjr

I ran into the same problem.....I ended up putting the truck up on tall jack stands supporting the frame. I then used a floor jack under the lower A arm to compress the spring. Careful not to lift the truck off the jack stands. I then was able to assemble the A arms with the spindles......may not be the prefered method but worked for me!

this will work, did the sane thing about 2 hrs ago

[Longhorn Man]

there is no reason to even use a compresor on a complete truck, just a floor jack under the a arm.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

there is no reason to even use a compresor on a complete truck, just a floor jack under the a arm.

ive done it and it works

[bedsled71]

you dont need a compressor

[blukangoo]

I´ll be doing that too this month and going to keep an eye on this thread.
When I get it done I will come back and give an update.

From what I heard you don´t need a compressor but it helps.
I got one that goes on the inside of the spring and hope it works.
The bad thing is, I have to take it apart inside the spring to get it out.

[creeldaddy]

another problem i have is that it is just the frame. i even got my little brother to sit on it to try to get it to stay on the jack stands while i jacked up the a arm but everyone probly knows what happened a second later he is being pushed up also

[rlm316]

I made a compressor from a piece of 3/4 thread rod, a 1/4x6x6 piece of flat stock, and two pieces of 1/4x2 flat stock welded together with a 3/4 nut inserted and welded in the center. I also welded a 3/4 nut on the end of the thread rod. The piece of 2x flat stock with the nut in the center is 6" long and can be inserted in the coils of the spring. Drill a 7/8" hole in the center of the 6x6 flat, put your thread rod thru with a heavy washer and nut threaded on with the washer facing the 6x6 plate. Insert the 2x flat and thread the rod into it. Insert it in the spring high enough to have enough room to compress the spring enough to release the tension. Lube the thread rod really good and this should last you for quite a few uses. I used mine to tear down just a crossmember. Worked great. Good luck.

[rlm316]

Forgot to add the rod with the plate is inserted up thru the hole on the lower control arminto the center of the spring, and the spring is then compressed down on the lower control arm. Once the ball joint is popped you can release the tension.

[glock35ipsc]

Unless the coils are too long, there should be no need for a compressor of any kind. Make sure the top of the spring is seated correctly, seat it in the lower control arm, and jack up the arm until the ball joints slip into place. Just the reverse for removing, put the floor jack under the lower control arm, disconnect either ball joint, and slowly lower the jack. The spring will fall out, but it won't fly out at Mach 3.

Since it is just the frame and not a complete truck, you might run a chain around the frame and under the jack. This will prevent the frame from being lifted. But it shouldn't be necessary. And a compressor is definately not necessary.

[VDOG]

If you still have the 35 plus year ball joints still on the truck, you might as well break them loose, drop the lower control arm and they just fall right out.
Then you use a jack to put them back in. No need for a spring compressor, besides they are dangerous.

[creeldaddy]

well i went and got shorter bolts for the compressor i got at advance so they would fit between the a arms, i am guessing that if none of you guys had to use a compressor that i may have went overkill on the epoxy paint i put on the frame 3 coats, i had enough and figured it would be harder to chip on the dirt and gravel roads towards my house.

anyways got the spindels on and got the nuts started on the ball joints just got to get them tight enough to put the carter pins in. that last turn pulled the frame of the stands, guess i will try agian tomorrow.

[bigblockc10]

I had the same problem with the truck on the lowboy lift.
So this is what I did, installed spring in the pocket on bottom and used a heavy duty ratchet strap to pull the arms together it worked like a charm and I didn't have to worry about the truck falling off the lift!

Unconventional YES but you do what works for Ya!

[blukangoo]

Just like I said, I would come back and give an update how I did it.

I decided not to do this myself and had a friend help me.
Make sure the truck is high enough first and on good jackstands.
We started by letting the lower control arm hang down to the floor and put the complete brake and hub on the lower balljoint and tightened it.
We then put the spring in and raised the lower control arm up enough to get the floor jack under it.
We then put 2 tie down straps around the top of the frame and the floorjack to keep the rest of the truck on the floor.
After pumping the jack up and watching that the spring is sitting right we got the upper ball joint hooked and tightened.
Let the jack back down. Done!
No compressor needed.
The first one we started wrong. We put the hub and brake on the upper control arm first and then tried to hook up the lower arm. That just don´t work!
The first one took about 2 Hours and the second about 15 minutes. Learning by doing.

[VDOG]

I like the way your truck is coming together. Are you sure you wont give in on a front disc brake install? You will have much better stopping power.

[blukangoo]

I would love to put disc brakes on it. All you have to do is read my signature and you will know why.
If I had the money I would be buying all kinds of stuff.
Right now I am just cleaning and replacing only what has to be replaced.
For the engine and tranny I did the complete Gaskets and Seals and I bought a wood bed mounting kit. The rubber on the old ones are falling apart.
I also bought all new lenses for the lights. The old ones have alot of small cracks in them.
Maybe later sometime when the truck is done I can play around with it a little.
I am also trying to keep it as original as possible too.
The truck won´t be a daily driver with the gas prices we have anyways. 1 Liter costs 1.33 Euros right now. That makes about $5 a gallon. Not bad huh?!

[blukangoo]

I thought about this later and it kind of scared the crap out of me.

Make sure that the jack doesn´t have sharp edges. It could cut through the straps like a knife.

I imagined what would of happened if they did cut through.
My friend would have gotten the straps wrapped around his head and the truck would have jumped over on me.

But it worked out alright. Just thought I would add this to the thread. Safety First!

[ChevyDude]

Floor jack...that's how I did it too!

[Luvlegs]

Safety related - I would feel remiss if I didn't say this - and with our trucks it MIGHT NOT be an issue BUT when ever I am working with springs, knowing there is always the potential for something to "slip", I always take a piece of chain, wrap around the frame and through the spring - bolt it together and then do my thing - Like I said, it might not be needed on our trucks but I had to say it.
I was in a shop one time with an early pontiac that a guy was working on - I can't remember exactly what he had under it but we were on one side of the shop - something shifted and there was a massive "KA-BLAM!" - took a minute to figure out what did it - his support under the A arm had failed and the spring TORE a whole in the lower front of a rolling tool box - He said "hmpf, I knew I should of chained that...." ANYWHO, this is all for what it's worth and I feel better now.

[VDOG]

"A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer"

[blukangoo]

Originally Posted by LUVLEGS

"A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer"

......and a human with a spring? I don´t want to find out.

I still think the best way to go is with a compressor but they can fail too.
A chain would be a good idea too just as long as it doesn´t scratch the freshly restored parts.