Front spring replacing
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
Front spring replacing
ok I've seen the you tube vids. I think I've got it. but a couple Q's. spring looks the same left and right so I'm guessing there is no left/right hand side? Now I know every body loves to lower them, I'd like to leave mine the way it is, for lack of a better word. Do I just measure the length of the lowering bolts and just put it back in that way or should I be looking in my helms manuals for a set-up procedure?
Last edited by CMY SIX; Jun 15, 2016 at 02:28 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
Not sure on the l & r. You can measure bolt length to get the height close. Some measure from the ground to the wheel well, but I believe a more consistent way is to measure from the top or bottom of the center cap to the wheel well. This takes uneven floor and tire pressure out of the equation.
You will have to put the clamps on the spring loose, put wheels on and drop the car down on a cpl 2x8s. This will compress the spring so the rubber bushing line up with the clamps. Tighten clamps while front end is on the ground.
You will have to put the clamps on the spring loose, put wheels on and drop the car down on a cpl 2x8s. This will compress the spring so the rubber bushing line up with the clamps. Tighten clamps while front end is on the ground.
Last edited by Curt D; Jun 15, 2016 at 03:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
ok I've seen the you tube vids. I think I've got it. but a couple Q's. spring looks the same left and right so I'm guessing there is no left/right hand side? Now I know every body loves to lower them, I'd like to leave mine the way it is, for lack of a better word. Do I just measure the length of the lowering bolts and just put it back in that way or should I be looking in my helms manuals for a set-up procedure?
As far as the ride height adjustment I just measured the height from the ground to the middle of the fender before and then did the same when I was done. Making sure the same amount of threads were above the spring put me pretty close to my before measurements so that's how I left it.
Last edited by sevinn; Jun 15, 2016 at 04:08 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Different springs will still require different height adjustments but as mentioned using the adjuster lengths that the car started off with is always a good idea (remember each side of the spring might have been adjusted to a different height due to weight distribution)
Fine adjustment should be done with the swaybar disconnected and the suspension unloaded. After adjusting drive it a bit around the block with the sway still disconnected to get everything to settle out before rechecking the ride height. Alternatively you could drive around you driveway with wood boards put into place in order to create bumps to get the car to settle out.
Also I had issues with my spring adjusters moving so I purchased some stainless jam nuts and nordlocks which worked well to keep everything in place - IIRC its M14x2
Good luck!
Fine adjustment should be done with the swaybar disconnected and the suspension unloaded. After adjusting drive it a bit around the block with the sway still disconnected to get everything to settle out before rechecking the ride height. Alternatively you could drive around you driveway with wood boards put into place in order to create bumps to get the car to settle out.
Also I had issues with my spring adjusters moving so I purchased some stainless jam nuts and nordlocks which worked well to keep everything in place - IIRC its M14x2
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
"...Also I had issues with my spring adjusters moving so I purchased some stainless jam nuts and nordlocks which worked well to keep everything in place ... ."
Just a question, do spring adjusters normally move? I can't recall reading/hearing that before.
Just a question, do spring adjusters normally move? I can't recall reading/hearing that before.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
ok I've seen the you tube vids. I think I've got it. but a couple Q's. spring looks the same left and right so I'm guessing there is no left/right hand side? Now I know every body loves to lower them, I'd like to leave mine the way it is, for lack of a better word. Do I just measure the length of the lowering bolts and just put it back in that way or should I be looking in my helms manuals for a set-up procedure?
More importantly, the 2010 specs include numbers for measuring from the pavement to the top of the wheel well arches. That's much easier to do than the "Trim Height" system which requires an alignment rack, a special GM measuring tool, and a team of monkeys to use it all.
If you measure out at the fenders, each turn of the adjustment bolt will raise/lower the fender edge about 1/8". After adjustment, the car will be up in the air like a monster truck. But a couple of hundred miles of driving will make everything settle down to a more permanent position, then you can re-measure and re-adjust if needed. When finished, get an alignment and enjoy.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Jun 16, 2016 at 09:24 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
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From: va
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
My problem has been the opposite- getting the factory adjusters to move at all. Sometimes requires heavy doses of PB Blaster, tapping, more PB and drive for a couple of days, etc.
If I adjusted them more often than every 2-3 years, results might be different.
If I adjusted them more often than every 2-3 years, results might be different.