[Blue72!]

Hi guys... rookie here,


Going to attempt to swap out all four coils this weekend for a 1" gain to hopefully eliminate a front end wheel well rubbing issue. I have read through the sticky (great help) about the uninstall and feel relatively confident I can piece it all back together. I was hoping to get any extra last minute advice before jumping in. This is my first project and my main concern is the ball joint procedure (remember..rookie here!). Once its popped with the pickle fork, do you damage any parts and need to replace anything? Ive never taken one apart and put it back together.

So really after all that rambling:

How does the balljoint go back together once the spring is compressed and ready to go.

Do I need to replace the shocks as well since ill be elevating 1"? or can i keep the old ones (which are only about a year old.)

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Jack Action]

How does the balljoint go back together once the spring is compressed and ready to go.

For the front, you put a jack under the lower control arm and slowly raise it, guiding the ball joint into the spindle. As you will raise the jack, the car will want to lift off the jack stand you used and the spring will compress under the weight of the car.

Just put the castle nut on the ball joint once it is in place (when the upper control arm will begin to raise as well), torque it and align it with the hole for the cotter pin. Do NOT grease the taper shank of the ball joint (friction is what hold these pieces together).

Do I need to replace the shocks as well since ill be elevating 1"? or can i keep the old ones (which are only about a year old.)

No, you shouldn't need replacing the shocks. Even if you do, it is pretty easy to change them afterward.