Replacing Coils

[Armor]

How difficult is it to replace coil springs up front, mine are sagging something fierce, and one of them has broken off at the bottom, about the length of my thumb. Other then a coil compressor and some jacks, is it very hard to do it? or should i pay a shop the $150 i got quoted for labor(i supply the springs).

thanks

[oldwhity]

I've never messed with the springs in our trucks but it doesn't look too difficult. It's almost the same basic setup as a chevy car. I have a "Haynes" manual and it's pretty straight forward on what to do. If you don't have one you can get them at "AutoZone" or most other parts stores. They come in handy if your fooling with something new. I personally wouldn't pay $150 unless you really don't feel comfortable.

[Flamingbig10]

I have changed out my coils a few times very easy with the rights tools floor jack, at least 2 jack stands, pickle fork for tie rods and ball joints, hammer, pliers, various sizes of sockets and wrenches  up to a 1" I believe, and check all of your bushings and steering components for any worn parts, and what coils spring you going use 

[Armor]

perfect, other then the compressor and a pickle fork(dad broke it on his 51 i think) ive got the rest, and i just found a dusty hanes manual in the garage from my dads old 86. I still have to price springs out here in canada, but after that i may attempt on my next day off.

thanks

[Captkaos]

I don't use a pickle fork as it generally tears up the boot.  Depending on how long the springs have been in there you should be able to get it out with out the fork.

OR you can remove it this was (from the rear without messing with the balljoint)

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_suspension/eibach.htm

[Armor]

great info, ill probably be attempting it this sunday(my only day off), thanks

[80stepsideguy]

Armour,
try changing them out w/o any weight, not fun lol.. i had to use 3 80 lb bags of concrete on each corner to do 1 side each.But since you got your engine in its a sinch. If i was you also get a small chain and wrap them thru a couple of colis and throw a bolt thru them and around the lower control arm shaft  as you take the pressure off the control arm as it may recoil and come out. Put the truck on a jackstand and undo the lower castle nut MAKE sure your jack is under the corner of the control arm as you release it if it doesn`t move take a hammer and hit it until the spindle separates from the control arm. The job is really easy as long as you take your time ..

thanks
pat

[oldwhity]

OR you can remove it this way (from the rear without messing with the balljoint)

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_suspension/eibach.htm

That's the way the Haynes Manual recommends.

[ms4972]

I haven't used a fork in years.  You can use a sledge hammer to pop the ball joint.  Just hit the area of the spindle that the surrounds the bj and you're done.  If you're installing drop coils then a spring compressor will not be needed.

[Skunksmash]

Just be careful, springs have killed people before. The owner at my local tire shop said he even found a skeletal finger in one, back in the late 80's.

[Armor]

well i got my coils today on my lunch break lol, AC delco 45h0075, the non HD ones, so all i gotta get is time... lol

[VileZambonie]

It's a piece of cake. The hardest part is sometimes the u-bolts spread and you have to be careful not to damage them unless you are replacing them.

Raise front of vehicle and place jack stands under frame, allowing control arms to hang free.
Disconnect shock absorber and stabilizer bar from lower control arm.
Use a suitable jack and place jack under cross shaft.
Place a safety chain or strap through coil spring and lower control arm, then raise jack, relieving tension from coil spring.
Remove cross shaft to crossmember U-bolts, lower jack slowly and remove spring.
Reverse procedure to install.

[exilous]

I did it to my front end last week. Although the front end wasnt even in the vehicle I did it with a spring compressor and it worked great. Didnt use a pickle fork either just hit in the general area of the joint with an 8 pound sledge and it pops itself out.

[Armor]

well i finally got the springs in, the front end went up about 3 1/2 inches, after an alignment it was better the ever, now its on to the fun stuff, swapping in a rebuilt 350 and 700r4 in a week or 2.

 i snagged a quadrajet carb that a guy bought new/rebuilt only to find out his manifold was the "square or what he called a holly inlet". all i care is it was 75$ and never bolted on lol. Also snagged an edelbrock air cleaner(always wanted one) and a sway bar for the front, all in all a good couple of days.

[oldwhity]

Is the front higher than the rear or did it level it out? Did you get the brackets for the sway bar too. Good find on the carb and the cleaner aye!?