how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?!

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Aug 23, 2003 | 12:54 PM

ColinOpseth

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Racer

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 413

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From: Los Angeles CA

how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?!

hey there..
I'm removing both front and rear suspensions.. what is the trick to removing the monoleafs without killing myself?

Thanks..
Colin

Aug 23, 2003 | 01:56 PM

Southern Comfort

Le Mans Master

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From: Las Vegas Nevada

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (ColinOpseth)

Let someone else do it and kill themselves and then you go in and finish the job.... :blueangel:

Aug 23, 2003 | 02:13 PM

Raysur

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 1999

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From: Southern California

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (Southern Comfort)

Colin,
Get the front in the air. Remove the upper a arm, remove the front knuckles, sway bay joints and push the lower a arm downwards. Then back out the nuts holding the brackets for the spring. It went smoothly on my brother's car. It was no big deal.

For the rear you need to remove the long bolt holding the spring at the ends. Do this with the rear in the air and exhaust removed. Then attack the bracket bolts on the rear end. :cheers:

Aug 23, 2003 | 02:21 PM

Goody

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2000

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From: Oak Harbor WA

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (ColinOpseth)

Quote:

hey there..
I'm removing both front and rear suspensions.. what is the trick to removing the monoleafs without killing myself?

Thanks..
Colin

How would you be able to kill yourself over this?? They aren't like coil springs. Just have the car up on jackstands about 18 inches or better. The higher the better for the front. You'll need a jack to put under the rear spring to take the tension off the retainer bolt/nut assy. Also, use the jack to support the front a-arm when you remove the spindle assy. After that, it is pretty easy. Got Helms??

Aug 23, 2003 | 05:35 PM

redvette1986

Racer

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 363

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From: St. Catharines Ontario CANADA

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (Raysur)

Is there something different about his car than mine? I didn't need to remove the upper arm...I popped the lower ball joint so that the lower control arm could swing free and lashed the upper assembly out of the way with some cord.

I removed the passenger side lower control arm to get the spring out but really didn't have to. I put the spring back with the control arm in place. It was easier to get a torque wrench in there without the spring.

Aug 26, 2003 | 01:56 AM

ColinOpseth

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Los Angeles CA

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (redvette1986)

I was always under the impression that the leafs were under a lot of tension. Basically, can I support one side of the leaf mount with a jack (with the car on jackstands) and then unbolt that one side of the leaf and let it down to remove the tension and then do the other side?

Thanks,
Colin

Aug 26, 2003 | 04:04 AM

CentralCoaster

Team Owner

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 24,337

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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed

Re: how do you pull out the springs without killing yourself?! (ColinOpseth)

Quote:

:withstupid: Yup, pretty much. Support the lower a-arm with a floor jack (AND YOU.. MUST, really, you MUST place the jack in from the side (in the same direction as the spring), otherwise it'll get side loaded and topple over and possibly cause some damage.

After it's supported, use a ball joint puller on the lower ball joint, disconnect the sway bar and shock, and tie the whole knuck outta the way.

Then, lower the jack slowwwllly. The spring has a bunch of tension on it!! The only thing keeping it from snapping your ball joints off at full droop, is the maximum travel of the shock.

It's safe to do one side at a time. GM has some big dandy tool for relieving tension.. but well, I've done it three times, and haven't slapped myself in the crotch with the spring yet. :D :smash: *knock on wood*