Thread: replacing springs

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I have a chevy 69 c10 i am getting ready to drop it (2 4)
how hard is it to replace the coils i want to if i should have some one do it for me or try it myself

If you've never done it, it can be scary. You'll hear storied about spring coming loose and going through walls, ripping off body parts, etc... Get a spring compressor if you can, otherwise THEY ARE A PAIN. Also, I usually run a chain through them and attach it to the frame for those just in case situations. They are really not that bad to do, but you surely will need to use some good common sense and practice safe wrenching when working woth coil springs.

I have a spring compressor. on the front will i need to pull it all a part or can i just pop out the springs.

i would hate to get started on it just to stop to go get new bushings an balljoints

Remove the tire, wheel and brakes until you have just the spindle staring at you. Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint and unscrew the nut until the top of the nut is even with the top of the ballstud that it threads onto. This will leave a space of maybe a 1/4' to 3/8" between the bottom of the nut and the spindle boss. Now, rap the spindle boss on the side with a nice, big hammer. It may take several raps for the ballstud to free itself from the spindle boss, but it will come free eventually with a pretty loud bang. Don't worry, the nut will catch it. Now that the ballstud is free, install your spring compressor and tighten it down until all tension is off the spring and you can rattle the spring around in its mounting. Now, you can finish taking the nut off the ballstud, drop the lower control arm and remove the spring with the spindle still fastened to the upper control arm.

thanks for the help guys iam going to droper down this weekend

use a safety chain, believe me, it'll save your life... a spring came off and broke my leg when putting a lift on my friends truck... i learned the hard way....