Front spring removal and installation tool
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
Front spring removal and installation tool
Does anyone know if the GM service tool for removing and installing the front spring is available for purchase anywhere or if anyone makes a similar tool for this application. I need to change out my front spring due to delamination and after reading the tech tip I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing this with a floor jack. I've done coil spring replacements before but only with a proper spring compressor.
I'm no supermodel but I'd rather not have my face and appendages "modified" just to save a few bucks in the long run. The local GM wants $225 for the labor to do this and I'm thinking it may be worth it. I thought if such a tool was available it probably would've been posted somewhere already, but just thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks!
I'm no supermodel but I'd rather not have my face and appendages "modified" just to save a few bucks in the long run. The local GM wants $225 for the labor to do this and I'm thinking it may be worth it. I thought if such a tool was available it probably would've been posted somewhere already, but just thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Using a floor jack for this job?
Jack the car up and put it on jack stands.
Use two small bottle jacks to hold the tension on the old spring at each end. When you detach it , slowly unscrew the air valve in the bottle jack to allow the tension to come out of the spring safely.
If you don't already have these....then spending the $225 at the shop is probably a good idea for safety
Jack the car up and put it on jack stands.
Use two small bottle jacks to hold the tension on the old spring at each end. When you detach it , slowly unscrew the air valve in the bottle jack to allow the tension to come out of the spring safely.
If you don't already have these....then spending the $225 at the shop is probably a good idea for safety
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Might be a deal!
If the labor you were quoted included the "required" alignment, the $225 sounds like a bargain. Do you know these guys? If they've got a quality suspension and alignment guy that's familiar with the operation it might be the way to go. I'd try to speak with the tech maybe first and make the call after your conversation.
Alignment probably isn't included but I'm surprised they would quote the job without it!
Alignment probably isn't included but I'm surprised they would quote the job without it!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
Using a floor jack for this job?
Jack the car up and put it on jack stands.
Use two small bottle jacks to hold the tension on the old spring at each end. When you detach it , slowly unscrew the air valve in the bottle jack to allow the tension to come out of the spring safely.
If you don't already have these....then spending the $225 at the shop is probably a good idea for safety
Jack the car up and put it on jack stands.
Use two small bottle jacks to hold the tension on the old spring at each end. When you detach it , slowly unscrew the air valve in the bottle jack to allow the tension to come out of the spring safely.
If you don't already have these....then spending the $225 at the shop is probably a good idea for safety
A floor jack will work fine. Put a square piece of wood on the jack saddle to keep from maring the aluminum lower control arm surface. The jack will never actually be in contact with the spring.The end of the front spring sits on/"in" the lower control arm. The middle of the spring is bolted to the front crossmember and isn't going anywhere even if the jack were to move. Just be sure to have the jack under/supporting the control arm before popping loose the lower ball joint. When you do pop the ball joint loose, lower slowly until the tension is released.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by 96GS#007
A floor jack will work fine. Put a square piece of wood on the jack saddle to keep from maring the aluminum lower control arm surface. The jack will never actually be in contact with the spring.The end of the front spring sits on/"in" the lower control arm. The middle of the spring is bolted to the front crossmember and isn't going anywhere even if the jack were to move. Just be sure to have the jack under/supporting the control arm before popping loose the lower ball joint. When you do pop the ball joint loose, lower slowly until the tension is released.
I use the floor jack inline with the spring so the there is no chance of the jack tipping over and becoming a projectile.Mike
