How to replace the coil springs?

[Chisholmcody]

I ended up buying another pickle fork and spent 10 min just whaling on it and it finally cam loose.

After that I got the spring compressor on the spring and got the new one in.

Now for the other side


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[Chisholmcody]

So I got around to doing the other side and everything is going fine until I get to the crown nut on the ball joint

I got a socket on it and it start turning all easy.... Turns out the bolt of the balljoint is stripped. Does any one have any recommendations on how to get the nut off?


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[timthescarrd]

Old ball joint right? Angle grinder and a cut-off wheel

[Chisholmcody]

Yep after I cut it out I take it that I go rent I press and press out the old? Then press in the new one


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[timthescarrd]

Before pressing the old one out, ensure it doesn't have an adjuster sleeve.  I know the 4x4s came with them, I don't think the 2wd's did, but just be sure

[Chisholmcody]

Ok thank you

[overtime]

I used a bolt a nut and a socket to make a separator.   The Idea us to push the ball joint out of the spindle.  Loosen off the ball joint you want to separate but leave the nut on.  Then put the bolt home made separator between them and turn the nut to push the socket against the ball joint till it pops.  Then with the jack under the control arm remove the ball joint nut and lower the arm.  This method doesn't damage the ball joint.  You should be able the find an image of a ball joint separator on Google.

[NCali]

I just did the same thing with the right side spring on my truck, I made a separator and used it along with a pickle fork and it worked without using heat

[crunchie]

The right tool for getting ball joints loose from the spindle is like a jack screw.One end is hollow to go over the stud aand against the nut and the other end goes against the stud,simply unscew and they pop loose

I literally just used this method. Jack up on the frame with the suspension hanging free, back off the ball joint retaining nuts 1/16" or so (enough for a noticeable gap), and install the jackscrew and put some preload on the end of the ball joint. Then, with a decent sized hammer, whack the spindle casting as close to the ball joint as you can and it'll pop loose. No heat and no torn rubber boots. I just popped loose all four of my front ball joints in a little less than an hour this way having never done this before and I'm pretty sure my truck's ball joints have never been apart either. In this situation, pressure from the coil spings, preload from the jackscrew, and a jarring impact from the hammer all work together very well.

[crunchie]

...You should be able the find an image of a ball joint separator on Google.

Google image search for "gm tool j23742"