Front coil springs heating or cutting

[powerT]

Cant afford the drop spindles and having a hard time getting some of the bolts lose to get the springs out to cut them im thinking real hard about just heating them , i only looking for 2.5 inch drop what do you think?
1983 c-10
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[old Rusty C10]

well if you do that make sure you have a will made out and sign your organ donor card.. Heating metal like that will reduce its strength. It can and will snap at a moments notice.. it is far from a good idea. This has been discussed at length here.. later i will try to dig up the old threads

[ghettoluxury]

Cut them, heating the steel makes it brittle.

[Telecasterjoey]

Cut em! heard horror stories bout heating them, shouldn't be too hard to get out. I cut mine just took the wheel off, sway bar off and lower ball joint nut, used a pickle fork and a big ass hammer with a floor jack holding the pressure on the spring then let the jack down and the spring fell out!
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[Square_78]

I dont recommend anyone doing it because cutting the springs is a much better option but, heating them is fine IF you do it correctly. Some springs are tapered at the top or bottom and heating them is the only choice. Thats how we did it for years and years before the invention of lowered coil springs or drop spindles. Most people have no clue how to do it properly. If you just randomly heat the spring, it will cause warpage and spring failure, breakage etc.

[74 stepside]

I agree with square 78. Most people dont know how to heat springs. The old timers that customized cars back in the day did. My step has heated coils in the front. They been in the truck since 1974. Over 150k miles without a problem. However its not recommended and I wont encourage that route. I will replace my springs soon and I would recommend 1 coil cut or save up and buy drop springs.

[powerT]

What spring compressor to use the outside or the inside ones
What is a pickle fork
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[bigblock73]

If you can't remove a spring, you shouldn't be trying to heat one either then.

Cutting is the way to go if you cant afford new drop springs...do it once, do it right.

[bmfpeterson]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

If you can't remove a spring, you shouldn't be trying to heat one either then.

Cutting is the way to go if you cant afford new drop springs...do it once, do it right.

Man not to be a dick but I kinda agree with bigblock on this one! on the other side you have to learn sometime, but the correct way would be to spend some money on either drop spindles or drop springs...... drop springs are not that expensive at all. look on this site and see if someone is selling a set

pickle fork is just what it sounds like a giant fork that will wedge in between the upper a-arm and the spindle to separate the ball joint.

[cory d]

i had to clean the u-bolts that hold the lower control arm on with a wire brush and soak them in penetrating oil. i would recomend cutting over heating. i did it one a buddies truck the other night and it took no more then 2 hours to cut both springs adn get it al back together again

[notyo_cheez]

A coil spring compressor can be had from Sears or Harbor Freight for around $50. Cheaper than a trip to the ER and an indispensable tool to have if you wrench on your rides yourself.

My $0.02 don't cut or heat old springs, just get some new 2" drop coils. Save up for it or hock something if you're desperate, LMC has 'em for $140 less shipping. Seen many a hack job on coils and inevitably other problems follow with it.

If you want a 4/6 slam they have the complete kit for $700, which is what I'd do. Thinking about this for mine...

[motornut]

Seen springs break,and they were just old
Scarey
I wana lower (just) the front too...
cutting maybe, not heat,or replaceing with shorter ones
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[Hotrob72]

If your on a budget or lack the knowledge to do it right, spend your spare time reading how to do it right the first time. Safe over sorry wins every time.
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[cory d]

i block the crossmember then i place a jack under the LCA to hold it from flying out then just lower it to get it off. you may need o tap on the u-bolt to get them off, it seams like they get spread out and got want to come out of the holes. you could even place the wheel/tire back on

[INSIDIOUS '86]

You can buy a ball joint press and replace the ball joints at the same time if you use a pickle fork and jack method
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[grs]

Don't do anything until you can afford to do it right.

[powerT]

i had to clean the u-bolts that hold the lower control arm on with a wire brush and soak them in penetrating oil. i would recomend cutting over heating. i did it one a buddies truck the other night and it took no more then 2 hours to cut both springs adn get it al back together again

is there a trick to getting the u-bolts back in ,i have them all back in but one (i swear it looks bent)

[powerT]

Does it matter if you cut the top or bottom of the coil spring
The top is a lot smaller around
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[poloaa009]

Great thread,Thank you to all those who posted...., keep them coming : )

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by powerT

Does it matter if you cut the top or bottom of the coil spring
The top is a lot smaller around
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Cut the bottom.

[cory d]

Originally Posted by powerT

is there a trick to getting the u-bolts back in ,i have them all back in but one (i swear it looks bent)

a couple of them on both trucks i have done had to be squished in a vise because they were to wide ot go back in the holes. just put nuts on it to protect the threads