does anyone know how hard it is to change the coil springs in a 91 explorer 4x4 and how to do it because i have a broken spring right at the top

 

anyone??? help me please

 

hi
Well after raising the front of vehicle and puting it on stands under frame. Take the shock bolt out from the bottom mount. Than remove brake caliper and hang it with a piece of wire. At the lower end of spring remove the retaining nut. if you have a stabilizer bar remove the bolt that holds it to the axle. The front axle should drop to allow spring removal. Not a hard job at all. Roy G Johannsen

 

ok thanks i thought it would be move invoved than that

 

jclj2003 -

Most above-average-skilled home mechanics can replace their vehicles' coil springs. However, the job isn't without risk. Compressed coils store an incredible amount of energy. The key to the swap is to release this pent-up energy in a slow, controlled way. A coil that abruptly springs forth from its environs can inflict severe bodily harm.

Coil "uncoiling" can be done a number of ways. Probably the most popular is with a coil compressor tool, which can be easily borrowed or rented from many auto parts stores. This tool squeezes the coil and keeps it in a compressed state while it's removed. Once the coil is off the vehicle, the compressor tool's through-bolt can be slowly unscrewed to gradually allow the coil to return to its unloaded state. When used properly, coil compressors are a popular way to safely remove springs. However, if the tool is damaged or used incorrectly, mayhem can ensue.

Some pro mechanics prefer to use a hydraulic lift and floor jack to remove coil springs. Since these people perform the procedure day in and day out, they know exactly how high to lift the vehicle so that the coil can be slowly lowered with a floor jack, using the floor as an emergency stop so that the coil won't shoot out from the vehicle. Since judgment based on experience is required here, this method isn't recommended for the casual do-it-yourselfer.

The safest way to preserve human digits and limbs when removing coil springs is to add redundancy—combining the two methods above or possibly even securing a heavy-duty chain around the coil to keep it from springing to full length should the compressor tool and/or jack fail. If in doubt, play it safe and take your vehicle to a professional mechanic.

Specific coil-spring removal and replacement procedures vary depending on vehicle. (Refer to a service manual for the specific car for further information as well as for fastener torque specifications for proper re-assembly.) For example, many older cars mount the shock absorber inside the coil. If using a compressor tool, the shock must be removed so that the tool can be inserted into the spring. On the other hand, the shock is mounted away from the coil in many truck applications.

Steve

 

I completely agree with the previous post. While I haven't done one on an Explorer, there is no way I'd pull a spring with out a spring compressor tool. The spring compressor also makes it easier to install the new one.....

 

well me and my father about 4 years ago changed the coil springs in a f150 pickup 4x4 and all we did was remove the shock and droped the arm down and the spring did not do anything i think we did it the way lownfly said to do it i think by leting the arm hang down it releases the pressure on the spring

 

Up to you, but a coil compressor is cheap insurance.

Steve

 

Anybody can make A easy job hard I guess its up to you. A jack under the axle is the easy way. I have done this even on front strut system. You just have to let the jack down slowely. The Explorer dose not have tension on it. Suit yourself be safe I did not try to lead anybody astray. I think I just dont think about people that are not used to working on cars. I have had to do it all my life. I dont let anyone work on my car
JMTCW I will not advice any one again as I do not want any one geting hurt doing it my way.

 

loneflyr -

In your 1st post, you said "the front axle should drop" without mentioning having a jack under it and letting it down slowly; that was the reason for MY post.

Steve