Spring removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hounddogs! · 08-18-2010, 07:34 PM

I've got a front crossmember sitting in the driveway that's due to be refurbished. I'd like to get the springs out before I start wailing on everything else.

If I remove the u-bolts on the LCA, will the control arms spread far enough to pull the spring out to the inside?

What's the free length of the spring?

TIA.

tcb-1 · 08-18-2010, 08:41 PM

those springs are still under pressure, correct? in that case about the only safe way I could recommend would be to rent an inside spring compressor.

hounddogs! · 08-18-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcb-1

those springs are still under pressure, correct?

Yep. That much stored energy scares the bejeebers out of me. I was assuming I'd wind up getting a spring compressor, but was curious about first loosening the LCA.

tcb-1 · 08-18-2010, 10:51 PM

You can loosen it, but don't take it completely apart before compressing the spring. And just for saftey sake, tie a strap (or two) around the spring before you start. That way it won't jump out and bite ya!

**lolife99** · 08-18-2010, 10:53 PM

You can also use that stored spring tension to help seperate your balljoints.

slapthefunkyfour · 08-19-2010, 09:31 AM

I've heard that the springs are under a LOT of tension, but the other day I removed mine to cut a coil, and all I did was remove the ubolts. I kept a jack under the control arm, and everything came off pretty easy. I didn't notice any scary tension.

If you have some scrap steel, a 1/2-13 tap, a few 1/2" nuts and a length of 1/2" threaded rod, you can build your own spring compressor in about 5 minutes.

Hmm, that gives me an idea. I'm gonna start a thread about how I built mine.

hounddogs! · 08-19-2010, 11:28 AM

There's no truck mounted to the x-member, so I can't do much with the floor jack

Think I will do the DIY compressor, though. Thanks for the push in that direction.

raycow · 08-19-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hounddogs!

There's no truck mounted to the x-member, so I can't do much with the floor jack

You don't need a truck. Run a length of chain under the floor jack and over the crossmember. Bolt the ends together and you are good to go.

Ray

hounddogs! · 08-20-2010, 12:57 PM

Got the pass side out last night without any drama. Strapped the bottom of the spring to the LCA and chained the floor jack up and over the stub of the frame. I then freed the LCA u-bolts and broke everything apart that way. Didn't need to use the spring compressor that I had rigged up.

Thanks, guys.

08-18-2010, 07:34 PM	#1
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Spring removal I've got a front crossmember sitting in the driveway that's due to be refurbished. I'd like to get the springs out before I start wailing on everything else. If I remove the u-bolts on the LCA, will the control arms spread far enough to pull the spring out to the inside? What's the free length of the spring? TIA. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

08-18-2010, 08:41 PM	#2
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Spring removal those springs are still under pressure, correct? in that case about the only safe way I could recommend would be to rent an inside spring compressor. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

08-18-2010, 10:51 PM	#4
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Spring removal You can loosen it, but don't take it completely apart before compressing the spring. And just for saftey sake, tie a strap (or two) around the spring before you start. That way it won't jump out and bite ya! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 08-18-2010 at 10:52 PM.

08-18-2010, 10:53 PM	#5
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Spring removal You can also use that stored spring tension to help seperate your balljoints. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

08-19-2010, 09:31 AM	#6
slapthefunkyfour Super Newb Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Layton, Utah Posts: 142	Re: Spring removal I've heard that the springs are under a LOT of tension, but the other day I removed mine to cut a coil, and all I did was remove the ubolts. I kept a jack under the control arm, and everything came off pretty easy. I didn't notice any scary tension. If you have some scrap steel, a 1/2-13 tap, a few 1/2" nuts and a length of 1/2" threaded rod, you can build your own spring compressor in about 5 minutes. Hmm, that gives me an idea. I'm gonna start a thread about how I built mine.

08-19-2010, 11:28 AM	#7
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Spring removal There's no truck mounted to the x-member, so I can't do much with the floor jack Think I will do the DIY compressor, though. Thanks for the push in that direction. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

08-20-2010, 12:57 PM	#9
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Spring removal Got the pass side out last night without any drama. Strapped the bottom of the spring to the LCA and chained the floor jack up and over the stub of the frame. I then freed the LCA u-bolts and broke everything apart that way. Didn't need to use the spring compressor that I had rigged up. Thanks, guys. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

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