Swap out front coils - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FingerTight · 10-28-2007, 12:11 PM

Hey all, did a search and didn't see anything that covered it, probably a bit of a "stupid question" but here goes.

What is the best plan of attack for swapping out the front coil springs? I took a look under there and it seems like the lower a arm mount (u bolts) at the frame would be a good bet...better than prying apart that ball joint / hub / a arm setup.

Anyone have a quick how to on doing this? Are the springs under any sort of pre load with the front end off the ground?

Thanks in advance

ridin98ci · 10-28-2007, 12:32 PM

Remove the shocks, dis connect the sway bar...LOOSEN the bottom ball joint nut....SMACK the spindle w/ a BFH an it comes right apart then lower control arm with jack and the spring should fall right out

cdowns · 10-28-2007, 12:36 PM

when replacing front springs it's the right time to replace ball joints too

Joe67 · 10-28-2007, 01:18 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263423

FingerTight · 10-28-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe67

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263423

Thanks for the replies all, I'll let ya know how it goes this weekend.

70GMCer · 10-28-2007, 01:50 PM

Don't take them U-bolts off. Do the ball joint thing.....

Joe67 · 10-28-2007, 02:19 PM

Good luck

retodd7711 · 10-28-2007, 03:33 PM

Support the a-arm remove u-bolts, remove shocks, lower jack, install new springs Poof! instant low rider.
I had the same question last week and I got several different responses. I just found this method to be the easiest and least involved.

FingerTight · 10-28-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retodd7711

Support the a-arm remove u-bolts, remove shocks, lower jack, install new springs Poof! instant low rider.
I had the same question last week and I got several different responses. I just found this method to be the easiest and least involved.

Good look'n truck! Thanks for the pics.
I am going the other way (stock BB coils replacing worn out stock SB coils)
No issues put'n those u bolts back in while compressing the spring?

retodd7711 · 10-28-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FingerTight

Good look'n truck! Thanks for the pics.
I am going the other way (stock BB coils replacing worn out stock SB coils)
No issues put'n those u bolts back in while compressing the spring?

It wqasn't really a big deal. The jack takes all the pressure. I didn't pump the jack all the way tight, so I had a little Wiggle room to play with. the jack stand under the frame takes pressure off the suspension (wheel off the ground)

VDOG · 10-28-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FingerTight

Good look'n truck! Thanks for the pics.
I am going the other way (stock BB coils replacing worn out stock SB coils)
No issues put'n those u bolts back in while compressing the spring?

Are you doing a disc brake install. Not that it matters. I took my spindle off to install disc brakes. I place a jack iunder the lower controll arm and once the spindle was off I lowered the jack down slowly. Spring fell right out. To install I just reversed the process. No spring compressor needed.
The first picture is with the spindle removed with the shock bolt holding it together until I place my jack under the arm.

Wrenchbender Ret · 10-30-2007, 10:10 AM

If you do drop the inner shaft there is a peg in the lower part of the u-clamp that must go in a hole in the shaft. It can be a hassle going back. I always take the lower ball joint loose. Then if the inner shaft bushings are bad you can take the control arm off after you pull the spring. The spring is stout & doesn't expand much. If you are doing this on a car you must use a spring compressor. Those springs just keep growing & growing.

FingerTight · 10-30-2007, 05:54 PM

Thanks all, finished the job yesterday. All in all it took me a couple hours (with an oil and filter change thrown in for good measure). I went the u bolt route, put'n those back on was a bit of a trick. Get'n the arm up there was no big deal (jack under the spring cup), but aligning the shaft where it needed to be after the u bolts were started back on was fun.

I ended up prying between the rear frame cup (for the bar) and the inside of the rear arm pivot ear, pulling the bar back. (see attached image...thanks for the pic VDOG)

Gained an inch and a half at the bumper by going from SB 1/2 tons to BB 1/2 tons, couldn't be more stoked!

VDOG · 10-31-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FingerTight

Thanks all, finished the job yesterday. All in all it took me a couple hours (with an oil and filter change thrown in for good measure). I ended up prying between the rear frame cup (for the bar) and the inside of the rear arm pivot ear, pulling the bar back. (see attached image...thanks for the pic VDOG)

Anytime. Hope you and your family were safe during the fires up there.

FingerTight · 10-31-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDOG

Anytime. Hope you and your family were safe during the fires up there.

Thanks man, it was a mess but we all came out unscathed...including all the San Diego family and friends.

VDOG · 10-31-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FingerTight

Thanks man, it was a mess but we all came out unscathed...including all the San Diego family and friends.

Glad to hear that. If you need more info let me know. Im still finding things I have to fix after lowering the truck.

10-28-2007, 12:11 PM	#1
FingerTight So there I was... Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 81	Swap out front coils Hey all, did a search and didn't see anything that covered it, probably a bit of a "stupid question" but here goes. What is the best plan of attack for swapping out the front coil springs? I took a look under there and it seems like the lower a arm mount (u bolts) at the frame would be a good bet...better than prying apart that ball joint / hub / a arm setup. Anyone have a quick how to on doing this? Are the springs under any sort of pre load with the front end off the ground? Thanks in advance __________________ - Rick 1969 C10 LWB, leafs, 350/700R4, 2003 Yukon Denali

10-28-2007, 12:32 PM	#2
ridin98ci Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Monticello IL Posts: 29	Re: Swap out front coils Remove the shocks, dis connect the sway bar...LOOSEN the bottom ball joint nut....SMACK the spindle w/ a BFH an it comes right apart then lower control arm with jack and the spring should fall right out __________________ Im gonna slam a 3/4 ton....I may be nuts!!!

10-28-2007, 12:36 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Swap out front coils when replacing front springs it's the right time to replace ball joints too __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-28-2007, 01:18 PM	#4
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: Swap out front coils http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263423 __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-28-2007, 01:50 PM	#6
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Swap out front coils Don't take them U-bolts off. Do the ball joint thing..... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

10-28-2007, 02:19 PM	#7
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: Swap out front coils Good luck __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-28-2007, 03:33 PM	#8
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: Swap out front coils Support the a-arm remove u-bolts, remove shocks, lower jack, install new springs Poof! instant low rider. I had the same question last week and I got several different responses. I just found this method to be the easiest and least involved. 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

10-30-2007, 10:10 AM	#12
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Swap out front coils If you do drop the inner shaft there is a peg in the lower part of the u-clamp that must go in a hole in the shaft. It can be a hassle going back. I always take the lower ball joint loose. Then if the inner shaft bushings are bad you can take the control arm off after you pull the spring. The spring is stout & doesn't expand much. If you are doing this on a car you must use a spring compressor. Those springs just keep growing & growing.

10-30-2007, 05:54 PM	#13
FingerTight So there I was... Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 81	Re: Swap out front coils Thanks all, finished the job yesterday. All in all it took me a couple hours (with an oil and filter change thrown in for good measure). I went the u bolt route, put'n those back on was a bit of a trick. Get'n the arm up there was no big deal (jack under the spring cup), but aligning the shaft where it needed to be after the u bolts were started back on was fun. I ended up prying between the rear frame cup (for the bar) and the inside of the rear arm pivot ear, pulling the bar back. (see attached image...thanks for the pic VDOG) Gained an inch and a half at the bumper by going from SB 1/2 tons to BB 1/2 tons, couldn't be more stoked! Attached Images __________________ - Rick 1969 C10 LWB, leafs, 350/700R4, 2003 Yukon Denali Last edited by FingerTight; 10-30-2007 at 06:01 PM.



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