Changing front coil springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rsgt · 02-29-2016, 09:49 PM

When you guys change your front springs do you undo the top or bottom ball joint? Which to you prefer. Thanks

**SoCoC10** · 02-29-2016, 10:30 PM

I leave the spindle attached to the upper ball joint. Turn the castle but on the lower a few turns but still fully on the lower ball joints threads. Make sure you have the truck up high enough that the lower arms can swing way down to release the springs tension. Be safe and good luck.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 02-29-2016, 10:45 PM

Neither. Rent., borrow, or buy a coil spring compressor.

**kwmech** · 02-29-2016, 10:49 PM

I use a floor jack and release the lower joint.

BigRed76 · 02-29-2016, 10:54 PM

Use a floor jack to support the lower control arm, unbolt the lower ball joint, then unbolt the shock from the lower control arm, then lower the control arm with the floor jack to take the pressure off of the coil spring.

davepl · 02-29-2016, 10:56 PM

Well, a couple of additional things:

- Heavy chain well bolted so the spring can't take off on you
- An internal spring compressor up the middle
- Floor jack under the control arm
- Truck still assembled so you have weight on the frame (tough job on a bare frame, done it)

Take springs seriously. One to the forehead will ruin your hole day. Actually it'd probably kill you but I'm being nice about it...

Never hurts to read and follow the shop manual. On my Pontiac they have a template for a lower control arm tool made from a 2x6 plank, and you need to make one to do the job!

Benny- · 03-01-2016, 12:12 AM

What about removing the u bolts on the inside of te LCA? I've heard this could be an option?

**kwmech** · 03-01-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny-

What about removing the u bolts on the inside of te LCA? I've heard this could be an option?

Not necessary, with the spindle assy out of the way and the shock disconnected it will swing down enough to pull the spring out of the way

**hooverfish** · 03-01-2016, 04:15 PM

When you reinstall the spring, will you have to compress it to put it back in (when using stock springs) ??

Or can you just use the floor jack to reinstall the spring with stock ride height ??

**kwmech** · 03-01-2016, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooverfish

Or can you just use the floor jack to reinstall the spring with stock ride height ??

Yes, that's what I've done for the last 30 years. It helps if you can get the jack as far outboard as you can...leverage. I get the jack between the coil pocket and the ball joint.

hugger6933 · 03-01-2016, 08:14 PM

I've framed a hundred or more later model truck but only a couple of the older ones so I don't know if this is a thing on them or not but Id advise you to take off the splash shield if there is even a chance it could get caught in the lower control arm as it is released. It will just tear the bottom of them right on out. Don't ask me how i learned this, well you shouldn't have to you can guess I tore a couple or more before doing that.
Please be alert there is lots of stored energy in those spring and they have a way of getting your attention and can mess you up. Jim

69SCSS · 03-01-2016, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Please be alert there is lots of stored energy in those spring and they have a way of getting your attention and can mess you up. Jim

Yep, I always tie a ratchet strap around them so they can't fly away... I don't need a hole in my wall or me

02-29-2016, 09:49 PM	#1
rsgt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lowell AR Posts: 360	Changing front coil springs When you guys change your front springs do you undo the top or bottom ball joint? Which to you prefer. Thanks

02-29-2016, 10:30 PM	#2
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,142	Re: Changing front coil springs I leave the spindle attached to the upper ball joint. Turn the castle but on the lower a few turns but still fully on the lower ball joints threads. Make sure you have the truck up high enough that the lower arms can swing way down to release the springs tension. Be safe and good luck. __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

02-29-2016, 10:45 PM	#3
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,210	Re: Changing front coil springs Neither. Rent., borrow, or buy a coil spring compressor. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Coming soon: EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23

02-29-2016, 10:49 PM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,388	Re: Changing front coil springs I use a floor jack and release the lower joint.

02-29-2016, 10:54 PM	#5
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: Changing front coil springs Use a floor jack to support the lower control arm, unbolt the lower ball joint, then unbolt the shock from the lower control arm, then lower the control arm with the floor jack to take the pressure off of the coil spring. __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

02-29-2016, 10:56 PM	#6
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Changing front coil springs Well, a couple of additional things: - Heavy chain well bolted so the spring can't take off on you - An internal spring compressor up the middle - Floor jack under the control arm - Truck still assembled so you have weight on the frame (tough job on a bare frame, done it) Take springs seriously. One to the forehead will ruin your hole day. Actually it'd probably kill you but I'm being nice about it... Never hurts to read and follow the shop manual. On my Pontiac they have a template for a lower control arm tool made from a 2x6 plank, and you need to make one to do the job! __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

03-01-2016, 12:12 AM	#7
Benny- Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ogden, UT Posts: 123	Re: Changing front coil springs What about removing the u bolts on the inside of te LCA? I've heard this could be an option? __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne, Daily Driver. SOLD 1978 GMC K15 High Sierra.

03-01-2016, 04:15 PM	#9
hooverfish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 2,112	Re: Changing front coil springs When you reinstall the spring, will you have to compress it to put it back in (when using stock springs) ?? Or can you just use the floor jack to reinstall the spring with stock ride height ?? __________________ Larry 84 Chevy SWB, "Roy", dark blue orig paint, 6 cyl auto, PS, 88,000 miles. 72 Highlander LWB "Olive" med olive over lt yellow, air, 77,000 miles (sold) "It's a sorry man who can't find his wife a good job"

03-01-2016, 08:14 PM	#11
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,257	Re: Changing front coil springs I've framed a hundred or more later model truck but only a couple of the older ones so I don't know if this is a thing on them or not but Id advise you to take off the splash shield if there is even a chance it could get caught in the lower control arm as it is released. It will just tear the bottom of them right on out. Don't ask me how i learned this, well you shouldn't have to you can guess I tore a couple or more before doing that. Please be alert there is lots of stored energy in those spring and they have a way of getting your attention and can mess you up. Jim



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