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

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-31-2003, 04:44 PM

O.k. I jacke up the truck supported it with stand's and put the jack under the a-arm.. Removed the lower spindel nut and hammered on the arm to get it to let the coil out??? Spindel doen not wnaty to budge any idea's????
Thank's Luke..

Oborny71 · 12-31-2003, 06:41 PM

yes those can be pretty tough to get out sometimes. Whenever i was replacing the lower ball joints, i would just drill it out, but that's probably not the case for you. I would soak it with penetrating oil and put a pickle fork between the spindal and A arm. This will usually break it loose, if not keep putting penetrating oil on it and give it time. sometimes it takes a pretty good sized hammer. good luck!

gonebad2 · 12-31-2003, 06:52 PM

Safety Tip......Run a pretty heavy chain through the side of the coil spring and down through the center hole of the lower A-arm. Then run a bolt through two links of the chain bolting it together. It might be unlikely that it would fly out but if it does, this will stop it from doing that....Be careful, they do pack quite a punch. I use a pickle fork on my air hammer. If you can't do that, partially thread the nut back onto the lower ball joint. I would not strike the lower A-arm with a hammer. I would strike the ball joint stud with a large brass hammer.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-31-2003, 07:01 PM

I have had the best luck striking the spindle, write at where the ball joint is. Make sure that your jack under the lower "A" arm is about 1/4" below it, or the "A" arm won't have anywhere to go when it lets loose. Pickle forks work great also. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

71chevylongbed · 12-31-2003, 07:08 PM

Here is the easy way
when i lowered my truck i had the same problem i put a jack under the control arm then unbolted the upper control arm and then lowered the jack. then i cut the old spring in half with a cut off disc in an angle grinder to get it out because it was a little too tall to get out with the brake line still attached but the new shorter spring had plenty of clearance to fit in then i jacked it back up and bolted the control arm back on. it is alot easier to do it that way because you dont have to mess with the ball joint stud. I figured this way out after beating on mine for about 30 minutes trying to get the ball joint stud out.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-31-2003, 07:40 PM

I got it out just needed a bigger pickle fork.... Yes it has a chain threw it.. I just was not sure what to hammer on I figured with as much tension that the spring had on it ,it would have come out pretty easy... Thank's for the help guy's..

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-31-2003, 07:53 PM

ckenwright · 12-31-2003, 08:07 PM

Another way to get in there would be to unbolt the lower A-arm from the k-member. Use a jack to lower the A-arm from the pivot point. Like gonebad2 said make sure you are safe and use a chain. When I changed my springs, that's the way I went in. The ball joints give you enough clearance to slide the spring right out. When you are ready to put the spring back in just reverse the process. It doesn't even take that long.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-31-2003, 09:12 PM

I got the spring's back in but must not have lined up the coil stop's as the truck don't sit level.. Soooo how much can I cut before I run into alingment problem's... I put 4'' dropped coil's in the rear and would just like the truck to sit level...

PrimeredThunder · 12-31-2003, 09:25 PM

Picklefork + BFH = works everytime

Had to do this many of a time when swaping coils and airbags...

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-31-2003, 09:28 PM

Primered thunder do you have any recent pic's of your truck with bag's??? Also were you the guy piecing together an airbag system, if so what did you use and where did you get it???? I want bag's but could not stand looking at the truck with a nose bleed stance while I worked on it..

PrimeredThunder · 12-31-2003, 10:55 PM

FRENCHBLUE72;

Yes I just finished doing bags on my truck this last summer. I dont have a ery good pic of the truck (When its CLEAN! lol) but i'll attach the most recent one. I found most my parts online from both members here on the boards, Ebay and www.*****************.

That nosebleed is an easy fix...C-notch or step notch your frame

However, right now I dont have a Notch OR Drop Spindles, but will when truck funds permit. Ordering a rollpan and some other misc parts soon so i can prep here to cruise this coming summer

You're from Southern Oregon right? I'm located up here in Salem as well as some other members close by (Brad, 70Jimmy, 71-longbed, jose etc). We shoulc plan to meet sometime this summer? Would be great to get to meet some of your guys.

Kenny

Kenny

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-31-2003, 11:02 PM

That's a sweet looking truck and the camaro's not bad either... Ya I am in southern oregon go to eugen all the time and lebanon for truck part's at the filling station... We should hook up next time I am up that way..

PrimeredThunder · 01-01-2004, 05:36 PM

Definatley, however, the 72' stays in hibernation during the winter until the weather gets nicer in the spring/summer.

12-31-2003, 04:44 PM	#1
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	coil spring removal O.k. I jacke up the truck supported it with stand's and put the jack under the a-arm.. Removed the lower spindel nut and hammered on the arm to get it to let the coil out??? Spindel doen not wnaty to budge any idea's???? Thank's Luke.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-31-2003, 06:41 PM	#2
Oborny71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 587	yes those can be pretty tough to get out sometimes. Whenever i was replacing the lower ball joints, i would just drill it out, but that's probably not the case for you. I would soak it with penetrating oil and put a pickle fork between the spindal and A arm. This will usually break it loose, if not keep putting penetrating oil on it and give it time. sometimes it takes a pretty good sized hammer. good luck! __________________ 67 Chevy SWB - goal of a 1,000 hp weekend cruiser

12-31-2003, 06:52 PM	#3
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Safety Tip......Run a pretty heavy chain through the side of the coil spring and down through the center hole of the lower A-arm. Then run a bolt through two links of the chain bolting it together. It might be unlikely that it would fly out but if it does, this will stop it from doing that....Be careful, they do pack quite a punch. I use a pickle fork on my air hammer. If you can't do that, partially thread the nut back onto the lower ball joint. I would not strike the lower A-arm with a hammer. I would strike the ball joint stud with a large brass hammer. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul! Last edited by gonebad2; 12-31-2003 at 06:58 PM.

12-31-2003, 07:01 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	I have had the best luck striking the spindle, write at where the ball joint is. Make sure that your jack under the lower "A" arm is about 1/4" below it, or the "A" arm won't have anywhere to go when it lets loose. Pickle forks work great also. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-31-2003, 07:08 PM	#5
71chevylongbed Got Horsepower? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: IDAHO Posts: 406	Here is the easy way when i lowered my truck i had the same problem i put a jack under the control arm then unbolted the upper control arm and then lowered the jack. then i cut the old spring in half with a cut off disc in an angle grinder to get it out because it was a little too tall to get out with the brake line still attached but the new shorter spring had plenty of clearance to fit in then i jacked it back up and bolted the control arm back on. it is alot easier to do it that way because you dont have to mess with the ball joint stud. I figured this way out after beating on mine for about 30 minutes trying to get the ball joint stud out. __________________ 2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins, 4 inch lift, 35" Toyo MT's on Ultra wheels, P-Pump Conversion, AFE intake, Fass, 5 inch exhaust, Pyro,Boost,and Fuel pressure guages, and a whole bunch of other stuff "The Money Pit" SOLD-71 Chevy C10 long bed- 2/4 drop-- 350,th400, Edelbrock performer RPM intake,Edelbrock 600 CFM carb,Crower 240 cam,port and polish,Dynomax headers,HEI ignition,dual 2.5 inch exhaust with Flowmaster 50 series mufflers

12-31-2003, 07:40 PM	#6
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I got it out just needed a bigger pickle fork.... Yes it has a chain threw it.. I just was not sure what to hammer on I figured with as much tension that the spring had on it ,it would have come out pretty easy... Thank's for the help guy's.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-31-2003, 07:53 PM	#7
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	__________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-31-2003, 08:07 PM	#8
ckenwright Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 104	Another way to get in there would be to unbolt the lower A-arm from the k-member. Use a jack to lower the A-arm from the pivot point. Like gonebad2 said make sure you are safe and use a chain. When I changed my springs, that's the way I went in. The ball joints give you enough clearance to slide the spring right out. When you are ready to put the spring back in just reverse the process. It doesn't even take that long.

12-31-2003, 09:12 PM	#9
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I got the spring's back in but must not have lined up the coil stop's as the truck don't sit level.. Soooo how much can I cut before I run into alingment problem's... I put 4'' dropped coil's in the rear and would just like the truck to sit level... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-31-2003, 09:25 PM	#10
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	Picklefork + BFH = works everytime Had to do this many of a time when swaping coils and airbags... __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon

12-31-2003, 09:28 PM	#11
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Primered thunder do you have any recent pic's of your truck with bag's??? Also were you the guy piecing together an airbag system, if so what did you use and where did you get it???? I want bag's but could not stand looking at the truck with a nose bleed stance while I worked on it.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-31-2003, 10:55 PM	#12
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	FRENCHBLUE72; Yes I just finished doing bags on my truck this last summer. I dont have a ery good pic of the truck (When its CLEAN! lol) but i'll attach the most recent one. I found most my parts online from both members here on the boards, Ebay and www.*****************. That nosebleed is an easy fix...C-notch or step notch your frame However, right now I dont have a Notch OR Drop Spindles, but will when truck funds permit. Ordering a rollpan and some other misc parts soon so i can prep here to cruise this coming summer You're from Southern Oregon right? I'm located up here in Salem as well as some other members close by (Brad, 70Jimmy, 71-longbed, jose etc). We shoulc plan to meet sometime this summer? Would be great to get to meet some of your guys. Kenny Kenny Attached Images __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon

12-31-2003, 11:02 PM	#13
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	That's a sweet looking truck and the camaro's not bad either... Ya I am in southern oregon go to eugen all the time and lebanon for truck part's at the filling station... We should hook up next time I am up that way.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

01-01-2004, 05:36 PM	#14
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	Definatley, however, the 72' stays in hibernation during the winter until the weather gets nicer in the spring/summer. __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon



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