BigMikeC

I am lowering the front of my 85 Z51 while I have the steering rack out. I have read a lot of threads and looked at a lot of pics, but I ran across a problem:

I have everything disconnected and the spring mounting bolts off, but the spring is still seated in the control arm. The shocks and ball joints have been detached and the control arms are hanging free. I even tried to push down on the control arms, and to hammer the spring free, using a block of wood of course.

I have read other people just pulled on the control arms and the spring came loose. Am I missing something?

Thanks for any input.

WVZR-1

I don't believe on an early car you can do a spring without removing the control arms from the pivot points on the cross-member. In your case the spring is still "LOADED and to be considered "DANGEROUS. You need to STOP where you are I'd say.

BigMikeC

That's surprising since out of all the instructions I've read, only one recommended removing the control arm. I think he had to remove the cross brace too. Most don't not any difference between the early and late cars other than the brackets.

I guess I'll re-install the spring brackets and work on removing the control arms. Thanks for the help.

1984Z51auto

To remove the transverse spring, which you will need to do if you are changing the front ride height, safely the FSM requires a special tool J-33432 and J-33432-88. This tool is a spring compressor and using it will take the spring pressure off the control arms. There are ways to Mickey-Mouse around the tool, none are recommended from my point of view. Be careful and put it back together until you can get the tool!

DanielRicany

Be very careful when removing that spring. They come down like a cannonball. I'm dead serious when I say that. I had one come down on me and it scared me so much that it probably took 2 years off my life!

BigMikeC

Strange because the spring doesn't seem to be putting tension on the control arms. They move up and down easily. Where would I find that tool?

1984Z51auto

Dealership may have the tool as may a suspension shop. I have two of them but TX is a long way from CO. They use a screw-jack and two brackets to compress the transverse spring, like drawing a long bow to shoot an arrow.

BigMikeC

OK, thanks for the tip. I may reassemble for now and worry about lowering later.

1984Z51auto

I believe that is a good plan

TurbineSurgine

weird, I don't remember running into that problem on my 85, I didn't use any special tool either. Do you have some pictures of where your at now, maybe I can see something

James93LT1

http://www.australiancorvettes.com/d...0procedure.doc

blackozvet

you will probably need to completely remove one of the bottom arms to get it out.
Also make sure you have the car jacked up high enough.
not sure if you have seen this one before,

http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html

dt#2

I had to remove one of mine to get that spring out as well. I had the non Z51 suspense package with those really soft riding springs too. I did not use the tool the FSM called for either. Just swung the lower control arm down and pulled it out.

MrRenoman

I remember back in the 80s; guys were knocking out something without dismantling anything. It was a wedge or a spacer or something. I apologize if this is incorrect or creates controversy.

Art