Can you get front coil springs out without having to pull spindles, etc. off of control arms?

'69, BB.

Thanks

You will need to pop the lower ball joint loose. There is not enough room for the spring to come out otherwise.

The method in the Chilton's manual is to unbolt the lower control arm from the frame and pull the spring out that way. Won't have to disconnect the ball joints at all.

Tim.

I have seen the pic of the "lower arm removal to get the spring out", but there is also a special bracket used to hold the lower arm on the jack so it dosen't slip off.

You can fab this bracket for your jack, but you still will likely not have enough room to lower it unless the car is at least 3 feet off the ground.

Originally posted by TronDD:
The method in the Chilton's manual is to unbolt the lower control arm from the frame and pull the spring out that way. Won't have to disconnect the ball joints at all.
Tim. I've done it this way several times and it's worked without fail. You only need to jackstand to raise the front of the car like 1-1 1/2 feet off the ground. And position the jack on the inner most part of the lower control arm. Jack won't slip. Well, never has for me. I personally wouldn't do a spring swap anyother way. No spring compressor needed either. With the "pop the ball joint" route, you need a spring compressor. If you have stock length springs, you'll probably need the lift the car higher.

I have also done it by just removing the two upper control arm mounting bolts and bringig the upper control arm down with everything GENTLY! Worked fine for me! But unless the ball joints are new, why bother? Why not just replace the ball joints?

Bill C.

Use a saw zaw. :D

I do the control arm unbolting method, but I also use a spring compressor. Makes re-installation MUCH easier than kicking the jack from left to right. The Autozone rental piece will slip right in the bolt-hole for the shock. :cool:

While you in there, check for broken parts in your frame. I had the lower-rear control arm perche break off of the frame a year or so ago. graemlins/clonk.gif