front spring removal...Dangerous??

[blukangoo]

If any body wants to look, I have more details in my diary.
About halfway down this page is where I took them out.
On this page we put them back in.

All in all it´s scary if you never did it before but after you do the first one you see how easy it is.

[cdowns]

when changing the front springs its an excellent time to install new balljoints and tyrod ends as well as sway bar bushings/// i just use a jack and jackstands no compressers chains or other sissey type stuff

[blukangoo]

Originally Posted by cdowns

chains or other sissey type stuff

If you have the weight of the engine on the front you don´t need the sissy crap.
I didn´t have the engine or tranny in and that´s why I needed the sissy stuff.

[space]

Originally Posted by Luvlegs

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

My birthday is actually Feb 29, 1905, but at my age my vision is so bad I couldn't see that date on the registration form.

[retodd7711]

Finished project! Thanks for all the advice. The u-bolt removal was the easiest. Here's the job and the results. I know it's a double post, but I'm proud I still got all my fingers!

[retodd7711]

here's my other low-rider!
She's runnin' a 6 inch drop on all fours.

[blukangoo]

Originally Posted by space_cowboy

My birthday is actually Feb 29, 1905, but at my age my vision is so bad I couldn't see that date on the registration form.

Damn, 102 years old and I forgot your birthday. Happy belated birthday. I definitely won´t forget your 103rd.

[blukangoo]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

Finished project! Thanks for all the advice. The u-bolt removal was the easiest. Here's the job and the results. I know it's a double post, but I'm proud I still got all my fingers!

.....and how far did the springs fly? I hope they just fell out of place just like mine.
There are some people here that don´t want to believe how easy it is to remove and put the springs back in but believe me, when you did it once you won´t be scared the next time.
I haven´t seen any information here yet that will get somebody hurt.

[retodd7711]

The springs never moved just loosened and fell out. The trick is to have truck up high enough to let the jack ALL the way down. You could get in trouble if the jack goes down and the springs are still under compression.But now that I know how, I'd do another truck without fear. Thanks,guys! Here's a pic of old vs. new.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The truck springs don,t expand much & are easy to remove. If you do this on a car you need to use a spring comp. They just keep growing.

[airdale94]

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.

[airdale94]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The truck springs don,t expand much & are easy to remove. If you do this on a car you need to use a spring comp. They just keep growing.

Ah, I noticed that. Also remember my Firebird's "growing". Had to take several shots at it.