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View Full Version : how to change coils springs (pre '98)


Finn611
03-17-2012, 09:11 AM
one of my coil springs broke and had had to swap them out, pretty easy job ( less than 2 hours total ) with the twin I beam trucks. Start by jacking the truck up and getting a jack stand under the frame behind the front tire,
(only picture i have with the jack in it)
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_10-35-42_459.jpg
then jack up under the axle to compress the spring a little bit, then unbolt the shock and stabilizer,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-03-16_927.jpg
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-03-08_983.jpg
Then you can let the jack down to lower the axle, pop the top of the coils spring out,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-07-14_685.jpg
Then get a nice ratchet or in my case a nice impact, your going to need a long extension and a 1 1/8 socket, i sprayed everything down with PB blaster to help break everything loose, but for these i needed some heat ( i used a little propane torch for plumbing)
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-07-23_721.jpg
Then get the ratchet/impact on a give it hell and pop the coil spring out,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-10-47_454.jpg
set the new coil in place and get the retainer and nut back on and tighten the nut back down,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-11-06_381.jpg
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-12-23_333.jpg
Get the top of the spring back into possition and jack the axle back up to compress the coil spring so you can bolt the stabilizer and shock back up,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-18-07_409.jpg
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-18-15_175.jpg
make sure the spring is in the right possition and you should be all set to bolt the tire back up,
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx308/finn611/2012-03-17_11-18-23_183.jpg

padilla94
03-17-2012, 10:17 AM
Nice write up!
How'd your spring break..?

Finn611
03-17-2012, 02:08 PM
Nice write up!
How'd your spring break..?

Thanks, and im not exactly sure, i was working on another members truck with him
( 94_blk4x4 ) and had to run to my house for some tools. Pulled up into my driveway and he looked at my truck and noticed it.

zekew64
04-03-2012, 01:59 PM
Which side was the side that broke?

And I noticed that you had done a lift on your truck. How much height did you give your truck?

Finn611
04-07-2012, 08:58 PM
the drivers side was the side that broke, and its just got a 3" body lift on 31's for now. plan is to double lift it either 4 or 6" suspension lift on 33's-35's when i get the cash

zekew64
04-11-2012, 01:35 PM
Nice! Myself, just put on coils yesterday that gives my truck the "level" look--they give me an additional two inches of lift in the front. Hopefully, here soon, I'll add the rear two-inch lift, which is an add-a-leaf for both sides and a steel block that goes between the axle and the springs. The other thing I'm doing is changing out the leaf spring bushings--I noticed a couple of weeks ago that they're dry-rotted and cracking, which isn't surprising, given that my truck is 20 years old, lol!

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Oh, by the way, I didn't need a propane torch for mine--I used good old fashioned arm strength...and a 4 foot long pipe for leverage, haha