Swapping drop spindles for stock? DIY?

[cliffsta]

So the truck I bought has 3" drop spindles in the front (and leafs taken out the back) and I wanna put it back to stock ride height. I have the stock spindles for the truck. How hard of a job is this? The "spindle" is the lower A arm, correct? Is this a weekend warrior job or should I take it to my shop? I'm no mechanic, so keep that in mind. I have no lift or a shop or power tools. Is this siimply a matter of jacking up the truck, unbolting stuff, then bolting in stuff? Or are there more difficult processes involved?

[mongoose]

super easy to do... should take around 2 hours if you have no power tools etc..

the spindle is the part that the disk bolts too.

[Restrorob]

You really need a set of jack stands and a floor jack, Set the front up on stands then use the floor jack under the lower control arm to release the spring tension SLOWLY. If not CAREFUL you could be eating a spring.

Also just common hand tools and a BFG to pop the tie-rod ends and upper/lower ball joints loose, It's a simple job for those that have done it before but could be a task for one to tackle if they have never done it.


Just be careful with those springs......

[xs-style]

Then box up the spindles and send them to me

[73chevyman]

[Panelman55]

I'd do the work for the spindles, if you were only a little closer. Barter is a great thing!!!

[N2TRUX]

Please do not turn this thread in to a Wanted to Buy. He is asking for help, not offering to sell the parts.

[jmedero]

Hey dude I have a set of stocks if you could use them. I took them off of mine. I'm in pcola if this helps you any. Let me know.

[thrtsxchambers]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

You really need a set of jack stands and a floor jack, Set the front up on stands then use the floor jack under the lower control arm to release the spring tension SLOWLY. If not CAREFUL you could be eating a spring.

Also just common hand tools and a BFG to pop the tie-rod ends and upper/lower ball joints loose, It's a simple job for those that have done it before but could be a task for one to tackle if they have never done it.


Just be careful with those springs......

The safest way is to rent a spring compressor and compress the springs then take remove lower arm. I always use a spring compressor tool, I have seen what happens without them and it can be deadly. Advance auto will rent you the tool and you get the money back when you return the tool.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by thrtsxchambers

The safest way is to rent a spring compressor

Right you are Tim, That is safer....

Originally Posted by Restrorob

It's a simple job for those that have done it before

On the above note, I've been a tech for over 31 yrs and know how to do the job without them.....

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by thrtsxchambers

The safest way is to rent a spring compressor and compress the springs then take remove lower arm.

There is no need for all of that. You don't need to remove the lower A-arm to change the spindle. You don't even need to release any of the load from the spring. Once the ball-joints are popped loose, you can lift the spindle off of the lower. The upper A-arm will move upward out of the way.

For a guy doing this in his driveway with minimal tools:
Do one side at a time, it is the safest.

Break the lugs nuts loose first.
Jack it up no higher than necessary to remove the tire/wheel.
Place a jack-stand under the frame in a sturdy/firm place.
Remove the caliper and rotor.
Remove the cotter pin from the tie-rod end.
Loosen, but do not remove, the castle nut.
Use some kind of long pry-bar to put some pressure against the tie-rod. It does not need to be excessive, just there.
Smack the spindle with your "big hammer" right next to the stud. Do NOT hit the nut, you are not trying to drive the stud out by hitting it downward. What you are actually trying to do is "shock" the hole that the stud runs through by hitting it from the side.
After it "pops", remove the nut and drop the tie-rod out of the way.
Then remove the cotter pins from the ball-joints. Loosen, but do not remove the nuts. Smack the spindle in the same way near the lower ball-joint, no need to pry this time because the spring will provide the pressure. After it "pops", hit the other one the same way. This way the spindle is "loose" but contained.
Then place your jack under the lower A-arm, pump it up to relieve the spring pressure, not enough to lift the truck off of the jack-stand.
You can then remove the castle nuts and lift the spindle out from between the A-arms.
At this point it goes back in basically the reverse.....minus the hammer of course.
As a side note: You do not need a huge sledge hammer to do this, they are just too much to handle in such a small place anyway. A decent sized ball-pien hammer will do it. It's as much about "speed" as anything.

[thrtsxchambers]

May be a little over kill with the compressor but not sure of the mechanical level of the worker so never too safe. The rental is free and could help just in case something goes wrong.
I have seen springs fly out on people and they have no mercy. I just like to let people know so they don't get hurt or killed even know this job is not a hard at all.

[LONGHAIR]

I have never seen a stock spring "jump out" with out help. They are so long and bound in that you litterally have to pry them out.
Like I said before, if you follow the procedure above, no worries.

[f.monroe]

Longhair has it right . If you do not want to replace the springs also , then there is no nee to remove them , just support the lower control arm with a floor jack at all times and you will be OK .I have found that you really have to let the LCA down a good ways to get the spring out . I wish I was closer to you . I would be glad to help . I would think there are members close enough to help but If you want the stock spindles in and dont care for the drop spindles, contact a local shop and see if they would trade the work out for the drop spindles . You will definitely need an alignment afterwards .

If you end up doing the job yourself , just move slowly and you should be OK . Then you can take pride in the job that joy have just completed .

When I install spindles , the alignment is always off . I adjust the toe in/out by setting the tires so that a measurement taken at the same point on the front side of the tread is about 1/8 inch narrower than a measurement taken at the same point on the tread at the rear of the tires . This has always allowed me to drive the truck to the alignment shop without scrubbing the tread on the tires . I just loosen one of the tierod links and turn it untill I have a measurement I like then tighten the bolts back down. This will save a pair of tires on the way to the shop. Mine is about a 25 mile drive and I have never had a problem.
Frank

[73chevyman]

done this kinda of job on my uncles monte and all we did was the jack thing it worked well and had no problems... you just need to lower enough to get the spindel out and put the new one in... just make sure the jack is in a sucure spot on the lca and everything will be fine..... not a hard job just take your time and it will all fall into place.... i also know to much precaution will also get you hurt never be scared to get into a job if so take it to a professional and the worries are gone... like said above you'll have to drop the lca alot to get the spring out.... if i were closer i'd give you a hand and call it a day good luck