Front coil spring replacement
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
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Front coil spring replacement
I am going to replace my front coil springs this weekend with leveling coils. My question is do I need to use coil spring compressors or a chain. My Haynes manual references using a chain, yet the Ford Service manual does not mention the use of either one. I know that many of you guys have already done this and could tell me whether either is absolutely necessary.
Thanks,
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
Thanks,
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
You don't need anything, i thought the same thing when i first did it. All you need to do is lift the front of the truck and support it on jack stands. Then, let one side hang..unless you have two jacks, then u can let both hang. Then just put the jack under it enough to support the axle. You have to loosen the 1 and 1/4 i think bolt thats inside the spring on the bottom spring seat. Then once u got that loose, you can unbolt that retainer clip. (the thing on the top of the spring that looks like a tab. Then you can remove the coil and put in the new one. Make sure however, that when you put the jack under the stock spring to remove it, that u still leave room for the jack to go down more, so that the new longer spring can fit in there. Hope that helps.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Baden USA
Front coil spring replacement
I have seen typos and bad info in Haynes manuals before...like 400 engines having 351W crankshafts after 75. I've removed and replaced coil springs in other vehicles, but not in my F-250 yet. I've done it with and without the propper tools. I definitely suggest using a compressor to make it safer and easier. The suspention doesn't move far when you unbolt everthing without compressint the spring, but it has a lot of force behind it. Wrestling it all back together without a compressor is usually done by lowering the vehicle so that the weight compresses the spring enough to bolt the suspention back together. I hope this helps.
Ziggy
Ziggy
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
NOTE: It is important that when you put the jack under the axle to support it, you do so in a manner that relieves the tension on the spring. When let loose, the axle is held by the spring, and if u put the jack up to high, you put compression on the spring, so make sure its just on there to support it. Since there is no tension or compresson, you don't have to worry about it hurting you its not gonna go anywhere. Thats the reason why they suggest a chain...to prevent it from violently sliding out...but...theres no chance of that if there is no tension on it.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Front coil spring replacement
Thanks for the replies. I had hoped I could get away with just using a jack to support, lift and lower the axle. I will try that way first and post back once I have it finished.
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
Do it the way i told ya and you won't have a problem.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Front coil spring replacement
Jason,
Did you have any problems getting the socket (1 1/4"?) and extension through the hole in the shock tower?
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
Did you have any problems getting the socket (1 1/4"?) and extension through the hole in the shock tower?
Mike
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
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Front coil spring replacement
Sorry I meant Justin.....I just got done talking with my neighbor, whose name is...yep you guessed it Jason...
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
93' F-150 Ext Cab 5.0L E4OD, MSD, K&N, 31x10.50's
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
I didnt go that route. What i did was take a 1 1/4 wrench, and slide it through the coil. Then, i put another wrench on the end of that for more leverage. Its difficult, because you can only move the wrench so far but, it worked. I never tried to get an extension down there, i bet its easier ha.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
Its either a 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 i can't remember.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
No problem 
.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
.Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some kablamo Firestoner Wilderness ATs
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins, GA
Front coil spring replacement
Be careful with the brake line! If you push the assembly down too far, you could damage it. I did the same job...piece of cake, and I didn't use a spring compressor.
REX
REX
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Front coil spring replacement
Good tip REX, i didn't think of that. Mine had 4-6" lines on it already.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some 32" BFG Muds .
Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, and some 32" BFG Muds
.Pictures are in!!
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Garretson USA
Front coil spring replacement
I am just wondering how much it costed for them leveling coil springs cause my truck does not sit level so i am just wondering
Thanks
Mike
89 f150 300 5 speed 3.55 rearend long box w/ bull *****
Thanks
Mike
89 f150 300 5 speed 3.55 rearend long box w/ bull *****