Spring Removal 1979, Lower ride height.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 10
From: Eastchester NY
Spring Removal 1979, Lower ride height.
I'm about to begin a project to lower my car's front end height by removing a coil from the front springs.
It seems that there are two ways to go about removing the springs:
1. Loosen the outer end of the lower control arm by popping the upper balljoint loose at the steering knuckle (and removing everything else that has to be removed such as the tie rod end and the brake caliper).
2. Remove the bolts at the ends of the cross shaft at the inner end of the control arm.
It seems to me that the cross shaft method would be easier, and is the method recommended by Haynes in their repair manual.
However, it seems that most people go with loosening the balljoint at the out end of the control arm.
I would appreciate some responses on pros and cons of each method.
Thanks in advance.
Andy
It seems that there are two ways to go about removing the springs:
1. Loosen the outer end of the lower control arm by popping the upper balljoint loose at the steering knuckle (and removing everything else that has to be removed such as the tie rod end and the brake caliper).
2. Remove the bolts at the ends of the cross shaft at the inner end of the control arm.
It seems to me that the cross shaft method would be easier, and is the method recommended by Haynes in their repair manual.
However, it seems that most people go with loosening the balljoint at the out end of the control arm.
I would appreciate some responses on pros and cons of each method.
Thanks in advance.
Andy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
The 1969 Chevy chassis service manual also shows to drop the lower control arm to service the springs, but they also have a special frame that locks a jack to the arm. Special tool no. 787545688...
I would not like to be anywhere near it if you still have original springs in there and loosening with just a jack to try and control it.
That's why nearly everyone here does it by loosening off the top ball joint, with a chain wrapped around the spring or a threaded rod running through where the shock usually sits . To control the release of the spring pressure.
I would not like to be anywhere near it if you still have original springs in there and loosening with just a jack to try and control it.
That's why nearly everyone here does it by loosening off the top ball joint, with a chain wrapped around the spring or a threaded rod running through where the shock usually sits . To control the release of the spring pressure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
This is the method I used. Threaded rod worked great.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...y-64-conv.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...y-64-conv.html
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
If you drop the whole control arm, you can clean and detail everything......put new bushing in if needed and/or a new ball joint.....
Make sure to chamfer the bottom of the coil after it is cut......flatten the bottom and roll the edge.....
Jebby
Make sure to chamfer the bottom of the coil after it is cut......flatten the bottom and roll the edge.....
Jebby
