Removing front coil: upper or lower arms?

[JAG66]

Lowering 96 shortbed by removing and cutting coil spring. What works better, loosen upper a-arm or lower a-arm? I always struggle trying to re-install coil spring back in position and bolted back up.

[Tom]

Lower.

[JAG66]

Thanks. I'll try the lower.
I've been busting the upper ball joint loose to remove the spring. Works good until I have to line the coil up while jacking the lower a-arm up.

[Never enough]

Leave the upper, remove lower ball joint...push spindle assembly and upper arm up out of the way, hold with block of wood. Tons of room to play with the spring without having the spindle in the way.

Do you know the trick for breaking the ball joint stud loose ?

[JAG66]

I leave the spindle nut threaded on some so it don't suddenly separate with the stored energy of the coil. I sit a floor jack under the A-arm, and hit the A-arm near the ball joint with a sledge hammer until it pops loose. I don't use a pickle fork because it will destroy the ball joint boot.

[Never enough]

Originally Posted by JAG66

I leave the spindle nut threaded on some so it don't suddenly separate with the stored energy of the coil. I sit a floor jack under the A-arm, and hit the A-arm near the ball joint with a sledge hammer until it pops loose. I don't use a pickle fork because it will destroy the ball joint boot.

Yup, and leave a 1/4" between the jack and arm so when the stud is shocked loose, the arm will fall.

I remove the lower ball joint grease zerk and place the jack right under the joint with the handle 90° to the vehicle. Once the spindle is loose, you can slowly lower the jack to relieve the spring tension. You'll need the truck high enough on stands for the lower arm to travel down at least 10-12".

[JAG66]

Thanks for the tips.