How hard is it to change the leaf springs on the car. I just bought Z06 springs for my car and would like to know the procedure for this. Any help would be apprciated. Thanks in advance. I currently have F45 on my car and was wondering if there will be any negetive effects by adding those springs with those shocks. :cheers:

 

^^^

 

Any good sources for the springs?

 

This is for the front!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tools Required
J 33432-A Transverse Leaf Spring Compressor and Adaptors
J 42188 Ball Joint Separator.




Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Remove tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
If the transverse leaf spring is to be replaced, measure the front spring adjuster bolt gap (1). The measurement will be used in installation to set-up the vehicle trim height.



Install the transverse leaf spring compressor J 33432-A and adaptors.
Compress the transverse leaf spring.



Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts from one of the lower control arms.



Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the lower control arm.



Loosen the lower ball joint nut on the lower control arm. Do not remove the nut.
Separate the lower the ball joint form the steering knuckle using ball joint separator tool J 42188 .
Remove the ball joint separator tool.
Remove the lower ball stud nut.
Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
Support the lower control arms with jack stands.



Mark the position of the cam bolts for reference at reinstallation.
Remove the cam bolts from the lower control arm.
Remove the lower control arm.



Remove the transverse leaf spring retainers.
Remove the transverse leaf spring from the vehicle.
Remove the transverse leaf spring compressor from the transverse leaf spring if the spring is to be replaced.
Installation Procedure
Tools Required
J 33432-A Transverse Leaf Spring Compressor and Adaptors





If the transverse leaf spring is a replacement, install the spring adjuster bolts to the height measured during removal.
Install the transverse leaf spring compressor J 33432-A and adaptors onto the transverse leaf spring.
Install the transverse leaf spring into the vehicle.


Important
Do not remove the transverse leaf spring compressor tool until after the shock absorber has been installed. The pad on the transverse leaf spring bolt could move out of position resulting in damage to the pad or a rattle in the front suspension.


Install the transverse leaf spring reatiner. Tighten
Tighten the transverse leaf spring reatiner bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.




Install the lower control arm onto the front crossmember.
Install the cam bolts to the position that was mark during disassembly. Due to a required wheel alignment, tighten the cam bolts but do not set to final torque specification at this time.



Install the lower control arm ball joint into the steering knuckle. Tighten
Tighten the lower control arm ball stud nut to 20 N·m (15 lb ft) to seat the ball stud.
Turn the ball stud nut an additional 3½ flats.
Check the ball stud nut for a minimum final torque of 70 N·m (52 lb ft).




Support the lower control arm with a jack stand.
Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolts. Tighten
Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nuts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).





Connect the stabilizer bar link to the lower control arm. Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer link nut to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).





Remove the transverse leaf spring compressor and adaptors from the transverse spring.
Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
Remove the jack stands from the lower control arms.
Perform a front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID # 102614



[Modified by RonWhite, 11:17 PM 10/27/2001]

 

The front spring can be removed and installed without usng the spring compressor.It will require 2 floor jacks.When installing the front spring,simply jack each control arm under the lower ball joint at equal increments.This will allow you to keep the spring centered so it is installed without shifting from side to side :yesnod: Also,the lower control arms do not need to be removed.Simply disconnect the sway bar links,shocks,and split the lower ball joint.Then loosen the lower control arm at its pivot point and the control arms will swing down enough for the spring to be removed from either side :seeya

 

Thanks C5 tech. What about the rear?

 

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
Measure the transverse spring stud height (1). This measurement will be used in the installation to set-up the vehicle trim height.


Important
During this procedure, use care not to scratch the rear transverse spring.


Install J 33432-A to the rear transverse spring, and compress the spring.



Remove the retainers, nuts, bolts (2) and insulators retaining the transverse spring (1) to the lower control arms.



Remove the rear transverse spring mounting bolts, spring spacers and insulators from the crossmember.
Remove the rear transverse spring from the vehicle.
If the transverse spring is to be replaced, release and remove J 33432-A from the transverse spring.
Installation Procedure




If the transverse spring is a replacement, install J 33432-A to the transverse spring and compress the spring.
Install the rear transverse spring to the vehicle.

Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


Install the rear transverse spring spacers, insulators and mounting brackets to the crossmember. Tighten
Tighten the rear transverse spring mounting bracket bolts to 62 N·m (46 lb ft).





Position the transverse spring (1) to the lower control arms and install the spring bolts (2), insulators and nuts.
Release and remove J 33432-A from the transverse spring.


Important
The rear transverse spring stud bolt must have a minimum of 2 threads showing above the nut.


Set the transverse spring stud height (1) to the height measured during removal.
Install the retainers to the bolts.
Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
Lower the vehicle.

 

Wicked,
Keep in mind the position sensor on the F45 shock. You need to maintain the same relationship to ride height to avoid real time dampening problems. The Z06 springs sit taller and dont allow the car to be lowered to the same degree as the F45 spring. Just a thought :yesnod:
Matthew

 

Yeah I kinda figured that. I may dump the F45 soon anyway

 

Springs came today :). Install is soon I may try the front myself as it doesnt sound to bad.

 

Wicked C5 ... please post your findings with this install. This is something I am thinking of doing to the F45 I have in my 98. Make sure you install metal front endlinks, the composites will definitely not take the Z06 springs.

I was told by Mallett folks that the F45 springs will not be able to twist back with enough force to break composite endlinks, but Z51/ Z06 being able to exert more force can. Please keep me/us posted. Thanks!!!

 

Currently I am running Z51 bars with metal endlinks in the front and plastic in the rear. When I put the springs in I am also changing the bars to z06 bars with all metal endlinks.

 

Z06 Springs and bars were installed to day. This is a great upgrade the install wasn't to difficult but by no means basic. Car rides nicer and can take turn much faster with more confidence. I would recommend them :cheers:


[Modified by Wicked C5, 10:39 AM 11/19/2001]