Removing front springs

[hanly2]

Ok so last time I did this on my 2003 Silverado, I was using the spring compressors and they were a joke, I just ended up putting the jack on the lca and unbolting it at the frame. So I checked under the 70 and it looks like the lca is bolted on using those 4 u bolts. Is that correct? Has anyone ever removed the springs using that method on one of these trucks? Last time I tried unbolting a spindle I destroyed all the rubber boots everywhere.

[Mike C]

On my truck I just loosen the nut on the lower ball joint and split it with a pickle fork. Put jack under LCA and jack up until load off nut. Remove nut, lower LCA, remove spring.

When you put it back on that way it goes straight up and you don't have to jockey the u-bolts on the crossmember which is a PITA.

[aod92]

I just took mine out yesterday. I put a jack under the lca and take the nut off the upper ball joint. Give it a couple good hits with a hammer until the top seperates and then I let the jack down slowly.

[hanly2]

With all the rust around here those things never break loose, and the pickle fork part is where I tore the boot.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by aod92

I just took mine out yesterday. I put a jack under the lca and take the nut off the upper ball joint. Give it a couple good hits with a hammer until the top seperates and then I let the jack down slowly.

Same here. I haven't use a pickle fork in 30 years. Just a BFH.

Gary

[RodnRudy]

Rather than using a pickle fork and taking a chance of ruining the rubber boot, loosen the castle nut about three turns and use a BFH hitting the spindle where the ball joint goes through. You can see when the ball joint pops loose. Then raise the LCA with your floor jack, remove the nut the rest of the way and let the LCA down and remove the spring.

[RodnRudy]

Oops, I typed my response so slow three others beat me to it. LOL

[cdowns]

I like replacing the ball joints so destroying the rubbers aint a big deal

[hanly2]

Ok so remove the top nut or the bottom nut? some mixed responses here

[Mike C]

Bottom for me. I think it gives more clearance to get the spring out. And you can raise the upper and block underneath it to hold everything out of the way and the brake hose is plenty long for that.

[Tango59]

I just replaced my springs shocks and ball joints... Wish I would have done the ICA bushings too... The new Moog Springs were not wanting to compress in the CA without the jack rocking the truck too far on the jack stands so I used a big C clamp on the control arms to help compress it enough to bolt everything back up.

[aod92]

I remove the top. Once you lower the bottom control arm the spring practicaly falls out.

[GRX]

As an aside ... I like to use a cable bike lock to ensure the springs don't fly out and break themselves on my head.

[hanly2]

Im putting bags in so I dont have to worry about compressing the new spring. I will probably chain it to the frame to be safe.

[Possmguts]

Not to hijack this post but when re-installing the lowers... how do you know when the they are in the right place before tightening the U-bolts? I see nothing that indicates when the lowers are slid forward or back at right position.

[69SCSS]

I have that Ball joint removal tool that works great, so I just loosen the bolt on the bottom ball joint and thread the nut up, slap the tool on there and it pulls out, then lower the jack very slowly. I agree the U-bolts is a pain. I used a ratchet strap and wrapped around the spring and the crossmember, so the spring can't move. My springs are cut so I don't have to drop it all the way down for them to be loose.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by GRX

As an aside ... I like to use a cable bike lock to ensure the springs don't fly out and break themselves on my head.

X2, or my long pry-bar, long extension, or a piece of chain. Just in case you slip you don't want all that stored energy doing a Mike Tyson on you.

[Blown06]

Originally Posted by Possmguts

Not to hijack this post but when re-installing the lowers... how do you know when the they are in the right place before tightening the U-bolts? I see nothing that indicates when the lowers are slid forward or back at right position.

There's a dimple in the cross shaft that should align with a pin on the cross member, you won't see it until you unbolt the u bolts holding the LCA in place. Look at post #5 in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=623839