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Old 04-18-2017, 09:00 PM   #1
kevinc
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Lower coil spring insulator

Im replacing ball joints in my 1988 c1500 and the lower insulator for the coil spring just crumbled when I took it out. I need new ones, but I can't find any online. All I can find are upper insulators, buy my truck did not have them. I can find lowers, but they lift the truck 1.5" and i dont want that. I checked Oreilly, Advance Auto, Autozone, and Pep Boys. What can I do for a replacement? Are they really necessary?

Thank you,
Kevin
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Old 04-19-2017, 08:46 PM   #2
Tom
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

Never seen lower isolators, only uppers. You sure someone didn't re-install the uppers on the wrong side at some point before you got it?
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Old 04-20-2017, 12:56 PM   #3
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

That would explain why I can't find a lower then. At least I can get an upper at the parts store.

Thank you,
Kevin
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Old 04-20-2017, 03:15 PM   #4
JWall
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom View Post
Never seen lower isolators, only uppers. You sure someone didn't re-install the uppers on the wrong side at some point before you got it?
I'm with him on this.
In all the OBS trucks i've lowered never seen a lower just an upper.
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Old 04-20-2017, 01:15 PM   #5
Chris95GT
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

Bottom isolation in my opinion would come from the control arm bushings, however top of the coils resting against the coil bucket of the frame would be where I'd think they'd go as well.
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Old 04-20-2017, 03:52 PM   #6
Tom
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

To add, I've been running no isolators for a couple years now. I got new ones but I'm afraid they'll raise the front slightly which I don't want. No rattles/squeeks without the isolators.
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle.
-98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes.
-02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front
-CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis
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Old 04-22-2017, 08:54 PM   #7
kevinc
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

I picked up insulators from Oreilly. Pretty much they are just 3/16" thick rubber washers. Put them in between the spring and frame. It actually seems quieter.

When I was underneath the truck putting it together it dawned on me there is no front sway bar. The holes are in the frame for the sway bar brackets and the control arms have the holes for the end links. Is it possible mine didn't have a sway bar from factory or was this removed somewhere during the past 29 years? There are no marks on the frame indicating there ever was a bar installed. I looked online and I don't feel like paying $200+ for a sway bar. My choice is one from a Pick and Pull yard. Will one from a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck bolt in place? I would like the increased size. Were there any trucks that had the rear sway bars from the factory that would bolt in?

Thanks for your input.

Kevin C
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Last edited by kevinc; 04-22-2017 at 09:00 PM.
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Old 04-30-2017, 11:16 AM   #8
Cape Codder
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Re: Lower coil spring insulator

There are no insulators on the bottom as the spring is indexed into a stop and doesn't turn on the bottom. The upper seat is flat and any twisting of the spring is absorbed by the upper insulator.
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