simplest question about springs

[stump]

how do i get them out i took the tire off obviously, i took the lower ball joint nut off but cant get the balljoint to pop out.. my fork thing is to small or somthing.. is this even how you do it?

[BACKYARD88]

You can do it a couple ways. To finish the way you started put the nut back on the lower ball joint just until all of the threads are holding the stud. This should leave a gap between the nut and spindle. Now, smack the spindle where the ball joint goes through with a heavy hammer and it should pop right loose in one or two blows. You can also take the u bolts loose atht eh other end of the lower control arm to get the springs out

[Number98]

First off you need to put the lower ball joint nut back on.... it just needs to be loosened some. If you take that nut off and the lower ball joint pops loose from the spindle the spring can shoot out and possibly injure or even kill someone.

You can loosen the lower ball joint nut and then hit the spindle on the backside where the ball joint connects with a big hammer and it will usually pop loose at that point then you can take the pressure off the spring and remove it.

here is a link with more info:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300839

[stump]

i got the upper one knocked off.. how do i get the spring out? do i need a compressor? im gona cut a coil off and see how it rides.. if not good ill order springs..

[Riveted1]

I just wrapped a piece of chain around the lower control arms and the springs (as an extra precaution.) Then (with the truck on jack stands of course) used a jack under the control arms to lower it slowly. Springs just fell out. No compressor needed.

[LONGHAIR]

Check your ball-jiont boots carefully before you put this back together. The "pickle-fork" type tools are murder on the rubber boots. There is no way to keep from wedging it in there. Most of the time they will cut or tear the boot.

[Augy's '53]

Maybe not the same problem but when I changed the lower ball joints on my 88 van, I found that just trying to hit the joint shaft, there was too much "bounce back" until I rested the spindle casting on a jack stand. This way, with the joint nut loose two or three threads, (I usually make it flush with the end of the shaft to help avoiding peening over the threads) using a brass drift and hammer, they will usually pop with one well place blow. If the threads get damaged, now that the taper is released, the b/j shaft will just spin while trying to remove the nut. This assumes that your upper a-arm is free and your spring is between the frame and the lower a-arm. But do be aware that this can be very dangerous if you don't take care to always have your jack under the the lower A arm whenever you're loosening the lower ball joint.

[mnky30]

you also could use a air hammer with the nut loose but flush with the top of the threads. easy on the doby that way.