Safely disassemble front end with out motor in

[Island Medic]

I have read some posts about how to release the ball joints etc to unload the springs. These all sound like they have the motor in to help weigh down the truck. I have already taken out the motor and trans. The box is off and all sheet metal except for the cab. Can I still use a jack under the control arm to slowly release the tension? Is there enough weight left to do this? What would be the safest way to do this?

thanks

Brad

[James the III]

buy or rent a spring compressor..
Many autoparts chains rent them for free..

[wbc409]

Without the motor and transmission installed, the only safe way is with a spring compressor. If you don't want to use the sprigs again you could heat them up with a torch, but don't cut them. You want to soften them up so they loose tension.

[raggedjim]

Jack up your truck and put it on jack stands under the frame with the front suspension hanging (both front tires off the ground). This will take most of the pressure off of the springs, then put the jack under one a-arm and jack it up. If it lifts the frame off of the jack stand then you need the spring compressor, if it starts loading the spring but keeps the frame on the jackstand then I'd say you should be good to break the ball joint (keep the nut on until it pops!)

Good luck, Rg

[DaHos]

If your removing control arms for new shaft bushes etc, I jack up frame and support on stands, loosen the 2 nuts holding the upper control arm to the end of the threads, now do the same for the lower u bolts, slowly remove the lower nuts and the lower arm will drop then finish by removing the upper arm. never had one "fly" out.....If you are worried about it just wrap a chain to the lower arm and thru spring........