R&R C6 Front Spring?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
R&R C6 Front Spring?
Looking to purchase a C6Z front suspension spring to tighten up my base 3LT C6.
Looked under the car the other night and it looks pretty straight forward, but wanted to see if anyone has replaced a spring on a C5 or
C6 that can vouch for level of difficulty?
From what I saw it looked like 4 bolts and working it out. How is the car going to react once the bolts are removed? Any tension associated with it's removal?
Thanks.
Looked under the car the other night and it looks pretty straight forward, but wanted to see if anyone has replaced a spring on a C5 or
C6 that can vouch for level of difficulty?
From what I saw it looked like 4 bolts and working it out. How is the car going to react once the bolts are removed? Any tension associated with it's removal?
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Turbocharged in NC
I'm looking at doing the same thing since my car currently has standard C6 springs in it. The service manual says the springs are under tension and you need a special spring compressor to bend them enough to remove them without damage. It also says you will need their special ball joint separator, which I guess is supposed to work better than a pickle fork. Other than that, it is pretty straight forward. The spring compressor costs $500-$700 from GM. I've seen them cheaper, but they seem to be hard to find. I wonder if anyone knows how to make one from stuff at the hardware store? From the service manuals description and picture of the tool, it seems doable.
Here are pictures of the tools it says you need:
Ball Joint Separator - gm part number J 42188:
and Transverse leaf spring compressor - gm part number J 33432-A:
Here are pictures of the tools it says you need:
Ball Joint Separator - gm part number J 42188:
and Transverse leaf spring compressor - gm part number J 33432-A:
Last edited by wewing; Dec 3, 2007 at 08:16 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
You can use either a Z51 or Z06 spring...The rates are about identical:
YOu just cant unbolt the spring....One side of the suspension must be disconnected to get the clearance to fish it out. Do a search on Spring Install...Someone here did a write-up that I read..
YOu just cant unbolt the spring....One side of the suspension must be disconnected to get the clearance to fish it out. Do a search on Spring Install...Someone here did a write-up that I read..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From: Crete IL
Here is a link that details how you can do this on a C5. You have to scroll down to the front spring section.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=20
I remember using the same procedures from this page to install the front Z06 spring on my 05 C6 in early 06.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=20
I remember using the same procedures from this page to install the front Z06 spring on my 05 C6 in early 06.
Last edited by rfopt; Dec 3, 2007 at 08:30 PM.
