front spring removal...Dangerous?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

retodd7711 · 10-21-2007, 12:53 PM

I got my drop springs from a board member this weekend. (thanks Barrett!)
And I got the rears in no problem. Now for the front. I was reading the manual and it says.The spring is under great pressure and could cause injury

My wife read it too and said "That thing will Boi-oi-oing out of there and cut your head off!"
Is this something my modest mechanical abilities can tackle or am I flirting with disaster?
BTW Barrett took time out of packing and moving his family to drive and meet me with springs...Very Cool!

mkhutch · 10-21-2007, 01:00 PM

Yeah what you need are some spring compressors. You can buy/rent them from your local auto parts store. Put them on and tighten the nut up and it will stay compressed as you remove it.

Brad · 10-21-2007, 01:12 PM

Always wrap safety chains around the spring and the control arm when removing them. This way if the spring gets loose, it won't go far. Btw, don't wrap the chain tight but leave some slack to work with. I had a spring get loose on me and it's not going to go far but can do alot of damage if not chained down and/or fingers get in the way.
Btw, I just used a jack under the control arm and slooooowly let the spring pressure off. No need for spring compressors.

Fastfun · 10-21-2007, 02:21 PM

What Brad said

dave2953 · 10-21-2007, 02:45 PM

I've had mine out several times and only used a jackstand and a floor jack. Never had any problems. Just lower the jack down SLOWLY and you'll be fine.

72BLUZ · 10-25-2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2953

I've had mine out several times and only used a jackstand and a floor jack. Never had any problems. Just lower the jack down SLOWLY and you'll be fine.

what he said is how we do it. put it on stands. use the floor jack under the aframe and lower it slowly. works evertime

powerbench · 10-25-2007, 02:40 AM

i have had the unfortunate chance of having the spring compressor slip....stuck my hand in to pull out the coil...had a jack under the control arm......didn't pop out ,but did spring apart with my fingers in the coil.....hit so hard i didn't feel it at first....then flipped my hand over popped the skin on my finger like a zit ...fractured the bone...hurt like a bugger.....cheap spring compressor

blukangoo · 10-25-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerbench

i have had the unfortunate chance of having the spring compressor slip....stuck my hand in to pull out the coil...had a jack under the control arm......didn't pop out ,but did spring apart with my fingers in the coil.....hit so hard i didn't feel it at first....then flipped my hand over popped the skin on my finger like a zit ...fractured the bone...hurt like a bugger.....cheap spring compressor

Ouch!

That´s a good story for the people that want to use spring compressors.
You don´t need them!

70short · 10-25-2007, 02:42 AM

I just did mine A week ago Jack Stands and floor jack. piece of cake!

Yeller68 · 10-21-2007, 02:56 PM

Triple agree with Brad. Used a floor jack, let off slowly, and also had a chain dropped through the control arm, and through the middle of the spring. Piece of cake, just remember slow and easy letting off on the jack.

retodd7711 · 10-21-2007, 04:16 PM

here's how she sits on the 4" rear drop front stock. I measured the bumper before and after. It only dropped it 2" that's how worn out the old springs were!
Here's my "helper" on a Sunday afternoon

bad6772 · 10-21-2007, 04:26 PM

looks good, did you have any problems putting those Z71 wheels on? are the centers the same.? and how far do they set in the wheel well.....thanks tony...i have a set of these wheels just laying around and would like to put them on my truck......

blukangoo · 10-21-2007, 05:16 PM

I think I´m a little late but I thought I would post it any ways.
The first 2 pics are how I got them out.
Put the jack under the a-arm and remove the u-bolts. Lower the Jack and the spring falls out without flying through the shop.

Putting them back in isn´t as easy but you have to do it in a certain order.
Put the a-arm back in and reinstall the u-bolts. Connect the bottom balljoint and tighten it.
Put packing straps around the jack and frame like in the last picture and raise the jack til you can tighten the upper ball joint.
The straps keep the truck from raising up.
Make sure the bottom edges of the jack are smooth. You don´t want them to cut the straps when lifting.

airdale94 · 10-30-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blukangoo

I think I´m a little late but I thought I would post it any ways.
The first 2 pics are how I got them out.
Put the jack under the a-arm and remove the u-bolts. Lower the Jack and the spring falls out without flying through the shop.

Putting them back in isn´t as easy but you have to do it in a certain order.
Put the a-arm back in and reinstall the u-bolts. Connect the bottom balljoint and tighten it.
Put packing straps around the jack and frame like in the last picture and raise the jack til you can tighten the upper ball joint.
The straps keep the truck from raising up.
Make sure the bottom edges of the jack are smooth. You don´t want them to cut the straps when lifting.

Just wanted to say...Thanks! to blukangoo. Man that is an excellent idea with the straps. I'm use to doing this on 2nd Gen Firebirds. I always use a spring compressor and try to pull spring out the front. Man what a PITA.

I have a front cross section cut out of an 84 3/4 ton that I've been waiting to tear down (was waiting on spring compressor I ordered), when I saw your idea I knew that was the way to do it. Diddn't even use my new spring compressor.

retodd7711 · 10-21-2007, 05:06 PM

the z71 wheels need spacers to fit. 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 I can't remember. The back spacing is wrong.They won't fit the front bearing cover without them and will rub the rear wheel well without them. I went with a smaller tire (235 70 16) The six lug pattern is the same. I can get more pics if you need 'em

2bits · 10-21-2007, 08:12 PM

I never thought to disconnect the Ubolts! very interesting. Seems like you wouldn't need to raise the truck up as much this way which is good. One thing, In your putting it back together step, you say to connect the bottom ball joint but in your take it out steps you didn't say to disconnect it and pic looks like it is still together. Was that just a typo, or? Looks like you took everything apart so that would make sense, but I wonder if it could be done this way without removing any of the ball joint connections? hmm
Thanks for the photos!

Andy4639 · 10-21-2007, 08:29 PM

You have to take one or the other off (BALL JOINTS) to get the A-arms apart. You have to seperate them to have the lower A-arm to seperate from the top. You can take only one ball joint apart though.

**Boog** · 10-21-2007, 09:13 PM

It can be done easier. First off it is a lot easier replacing the springs while the front cap and engine are still in the truck. The weight of the vehicle works for you while jacking the spring and control arm back into place. I only did one side at a time leaving the opposite side tire on the floor. Place a jack stand securely under the frame high enough to lower the control arm almost straight down with the floor jack under it. Some use spring compressors, I never did. As blukangoo said reattaching the ubolts while under pressure on the jack will be difficult.
I removed the springs from a Trans AM front subframe while out from under the car. Once!

TotalChevy1 · 10-22-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retodd7711

I got my drop springs from a board member this weekend. (thanks Barrett!)
And I got the rears in no problem. Now for the front. I was reading the manual and it says.The spring is under great pressure and could cause injury

My wife read it too and said "That thing will Boi-oi-oing out of there and cut your head off!"
Is this something my modest mechanical abilities can tackle or am I flirting with disaster?
BTW Barrett took time out of packing and moving his family to drive and meet me with springs...Very Cool!

Jack the truck up and use a floor jack to lower the arm via the ball joint. Just did mine last weekeend and it took me and my son about 45 minuntes to do both. Just lower the jack slowly and they just fall out and make sure you have someone keep the spring in place and you jack it back up.

blukangoo · 10-22-2007, 05:02 PM

Yes, the weight of the engine still in the truck helps alot. I did it without the engine. That is why I needed the straps to put them back in.

I guess I have to clear something up here.
To take the springs out I put the jack under the A arm, removed the u bolts and lowered the jack and the spring fell out. The ball joints stayed together.

To put them back in, I put the a arms back in and reinstalled the u bolts. Then I connected the lower ball joint, put the spring in and raised the a arm with the jack. I raised it enough to get the upper ball joint connected. Done.

retodd7711 · 10-25-2007, 06:19 AM

I think the reason my rear bumper only dropped 2" is I am still using the stock shocks. I'll install the shorter shocks and re-measure. do you think the stock (new) shocks are holding me up? .

dznucks · 10-25-2007, 06:34 AM

i got the same story as Powerbench. if you buy or rent the compressor make sure it doesn't slip.

space · 10-25-2007, 07:31 AM

This thread couldn't have come at a better time. I'm replacing my front springs this weekend so the pics definitely help. I didn't even realize they weren't bolted in. That was a hospital trip waiting to happen.

Jim_PA · 10-25-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retodd7711

I think the reason my rear bumper only dropped 2" is I am still using the stock shocks. I'll install the shorter shocks and re-measure. do you think the stock (new) shocks are holding me up? .

Shocks control movement, they don't lift or lower anything. Unless they are WAYYYYYYY too short or long.

Luvlegs · 10-25-2007, 02:58 PM

Space Cowboy - for a 102 year old, it's pretty cool you are still wrenching. Feb 1st, 1905 right? hahahahaha

10-21-2007, 12:53 PM	#1
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	front spring removal...Dangerous?? I got my drop springs from a board member this weekend. (thanks Barrett!) And I got the rears in no problem. Now for the front. I was reading the manual and it says.The spring is under great pressure and could cause injury My wife read it too and said "That thing will Boi-oi-oing out of there and cut your head off!" Is this something my modest mechanical abilities can tackle or am I flirting with disaster? BTW Barrett took time out of packing and moving his family to drive and meet me with springs...Very Cool! __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

10-21-2007, 01:00 PM	#2
mkhutch Throbbing Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 350	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? Yeah what you need are some spring compressors. You can buy/rent them from your local auto parts store. Put them on and tighten the nut up and it will stay compressed as you remove it.

10-21-2007, 01:12 PM	#3
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? Always wrap safety chains around the spring and the control arm when removing them. This way if the spring gets loose, it won't go far. Btw, don't wrap the chain tight but leave some slack to work with. I had a spring get loose on me and it's not going to go far but can do alot of damage if not chained down and/or fingers get in the way. Btw, I just used a jack under the control arm and slooooowly let the spring pressure off. No need for spring compressors. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 10-21-2007 at 01:13 PM.

10-21-2007, 02:21 PM	#4
Fastfun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 615	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? What Brad said

10-21-2007, 02:45 PM	#5
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? I've had mine out several times and only used a jackstand and a floor jack. Never had any problems. Just lower the jack down SLOWLY and you'll be fine. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

10-25-2007, 02:40 AM	#7
powerbench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey B.C Posts: 432	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? i have had the unfortunate chance of having the spring compressor slip....stuck my hand in to pull out the coil...had a jack under the control arm......didn't pop out ,but did spring apart with my fingers in the coil.....hit so hard i didn't feel it at first....then flipped my hand over popped the skin on my finger like a zit ...fractured the bone...hurt like a bugger.....cheap spring compressor

10-25-2007, 02:42 AM	#9
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? I just did mine A week ago Jack Stands and floor jack. piece of cake! __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

10-21-2007, 02:56 PM	#10
Yeller68 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Villa Rica, Ga Posts: 297	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? Triple agree with Brad. Used a floor jack, let off slowly, and also had a chain dropped through the control arm, and through the middle of the spring. Piece of cake, just remember slow and easy letting off on the jack. Last edited by Yeller68; 10-21-2007 at 02:56 PM.

10-21-2007, 04:16 PM	#11
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? here's how she sits on the 4" rear drop front stock. I measured the bumper before and after. It only dropped it 2" that's how worn out the old springs were! Here's my "helper" on a Sunday afternoon Attached Images __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

10-21-2007, 04:26 PM	#12
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,952	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? looks good, did you have any problems putting those Z71 wheels on? are the centers the same.? and how far do they set in the wheel well.....thanks tony...i have a set of these wheels just laying around and would like to put them on my truck...... Last edited by bad6772; 10-21-2007 at 04:28 PM.

10-21-2007, 05:16 PM	#13
blukangoo Neighborhood Pickle Slinger Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cadolzburg, Bavaria, Germany Posts: 2,224	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? I think I´m a little late but I thought I would post it any ways. The first 2 pics are how I got them out. Put the jack under the a-arm and remove the u-bolts. Lower the Jack and the spring falls out without flying through the shop. Putting them back in isn´t as easy but you have to do it in a certain order. Put the a-arm back in and reinstall the u-bolts. Connect the bottom balljoint and tighten it. Put packing straps around the jack and frame like in the last picture and raise the jack til you can tighten the upper ball joint. The straps keep the truck from raising up. Make sure the bottom edges of the jack are smooth. You don´t want them to cut the straps when lifting. Attached Images __________________ -------------------------------------------------- My C10 Diary Our cars: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle 396 - TH350 1968 Chevrolet C10/CST 327 TH400/375 1969 Corvette Stingray 350 - Muncie Manual Trans 1969 Chevrolet ElCamino 350 - TH400 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible - 350 Rocket - TH350 1973 Camaro LT - New Engine Done - TH350 1973 Corvette Convertible 454 - TH400

10-21-2007, 05:06 PM	#15
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? the z71 wheels need spacers to fit. 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 I can't remember. The back spacing is wrong.They won't fit the front bearing cover without them and will rub the rear wheel well without them. I went with a smaller tire (235 70 16) The six lug pattern is the same. I can get more pics if you need 'em __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

10-21-2007, 08:12 PM	#16
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? I never thought to disconnect the Ubolts! very interesting. Seems like you wouldn't need to raise the truck up as much this way which is good. One thing, In your putting it back together step, you say to connect the bottom ball joint but in your take it out steps you didn't say to disconnect it and pic looks like it is still together. Was that just a typo, or? Looks like you took everything apart so that would make sense, but I wonder if it could be done this way without removing any of the ball joint connections? hmm Thanks for the photos! __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club

10-21-2007, 08:29 PM	#17
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? You have to take one or the other off (BALL JOINTS) to get the A-arms apart. You have to seperate them to have the lower A-arm to seperate from the top. You can take only one ball joint apart though. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-21-2007, 09:13 PM	#18
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,022	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? It can be done easier. First off it is a lot easier replacing the springs while the front cap and engine are still in the truck. The weight of the vehicle works for you while jacking the spring and control arm back into place. I only did one side at a time leaving the opposite side tire on the floor. Place a jack stand securely under the frame high enough to lower the control arm almost straight down with the floor jack under it. Some use spring compressors, I never did. As blukangoo said reattaching the ubolts while under pressure on the jack will be difficult. I removed the springs from a Trans AM front subframe while out from under the car. Once! __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross



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10-22-2007, 05:02 PM	#20
blukangoo Neighborhood Pickle Slinger Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cadolzburg, Bavaria, Germany Posts: 2,224	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? Yes, the weight of the engine still in the truck helps alot. I did it without the engine. That is why I needed the straps to put them back in. I guess I have to clear something up here. To take the springs out I put the jack under the A arm, removed the u bolts and lowered the jack and the spring fell out. The ball joints stayed together. To put them back in, I put the a arms back in and reinstalled the u bolts. Then I connected the lower ball joint, put the spring in and raised the a arm with the jack. I raised it enough to get the upper ball joint connected. Done. __________________ -------------------------------------------------- My C10 Diary Our cars: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle 396 - TH350 1968 Chevrolet C10/CST 327 TH400/375 1969 Corvette Stingray 350 - Muncie Manual Trans 1969 Chevrolet ElCamino 350 - TH400 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible - 350 Rocket - TH350 1973 Camaro LT - New Engine Done - TH350 1973 Corvette Convertible 454 - TH400

10-25-2007, 06:19 AM	#21
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? I think the reason my rear bumper only dropped 2" is I am still using the stock shocks. I'll install the shorter shocks and re-measure. do you think the stock (new) shocks are holding me up? . __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

10-25-2007, 06:34 AM	#22
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? i got the same story as Powerbench. if you buy or rent the compressor make sure it doesn't slip.

10-25-2007, 07:31 AM	#23
space Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Benson-ish, NC Posts: 325	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? This thread couldn't have come at a better time. I'm replacing my front springs this weekend so the pics definitely help. I didn't even realize they weren't bolted in. That was a hospital trip waiting to happen.

10-25-2007, 02:58 PM	#25
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: front spring removal...Dangerous?? Space Cowboy - for a 102 year old, it's pretty cool you are still wrenching. Feb 1st, 1905 right? hahahahaha __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

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