Question about Springs
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
Question about Springs
Ok, Looking at our front end..it's clear to see the front springs are saggy. The wheel well clearance when compared to the rear wheels? The rears have several inches from tread to wheel house.
The Front? The tires are somewhat settled into the wheel house a bit, and we are getting some minor rubbing on the right tire when turned to the extreme left. Looking at how the tires sit? Pretty easy to see sagging springs are not helping matters any.
Now at the same time we are doing the springs in the front end? We are considering replacement of the Radius Arm bushings. I've already picked up a set of sway bar bushings to get the front end tightened up.
Any suggestions or ideas are welcome to make this as painless as possible. I know there is one set of bolts that gets tightened to an insane amount of torque.. But any ideas or hints regarding front springs/radius arm bushings is welcome.
Thanks
S-
The Front? The tires are somewhat settled into the wheel house a bit, and we are getting some minor rubbing on the right tire when turned to the extreme left. Looking at how the tires sit? Pretty easy to see sagging springs are not helping matters any.
Now at the same time we are doing the springs in the front end? We are considering replacement of the Radius Arm bushings. I've already picked up a set of sway bar bushings to get the front end tightened up.
Any suggestions or ideas are welcome to make this as painless as possible. I know there is one set of bolts that gets tightened to an insane amount of torque.. But any ideas or hints regarding front springs/radius arm bushings is welcome.
Thanks
S-
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
If you have access to air tools, it isn't a tough job.
1. Jack up the truck and put jack stands under the frame. As I recall, there is enough room to put them behind the front bumper. This will give you plenty of room to get to the rear radius arm nut.
2. Put jack under I beam and remove tire.
3. Remove the shock from the radius arm
4. Remove the coil retainer from the coil tower on the frame.
5. Take nut off of through bolt holding coil to I beam and remove retainer.
6. Lower jack to let coil out of tower.
Reverse procedure to reinstall.
Replacing radius arm bushings is no big deal. Before you jack the axle and coil up into the coil tower, remove the large nut on the back of the radius arm. Remove the rear bushing. Then use a come along to pull the radius arm out of the rear bracket to remove the front half of the bushing. Install new bushings and let tension off of the come along. You may have to use a prybar to get the radius arm to line up into the bracket. Install the rear bushing, washer and nut and snug down to pull the bushing into place.
Once you get the radius arm bushing in, then you can jack the coil up into the tower and finish reassembly.
I like to finish tightening the radius arm bushings once I have the wheels back on and on the ground. You just want to make sure that the bushing has went into the bracket on the initial tightening.
Jason
1. Jack up the truck and put jack stands under the frame. As I recall, there is enough room to put them behind the front bumper. This will give you plenty of room to get to the rear radius arm nut.
2. Put jack under I beam and remove tire.
3. Remove the shock from the radius arm
4. Remove the coil retainer from the coil tower on the frame.
5. Take nut off of through bolt holding coil to I beam and remove retainer.
6. Lower jack to let coil out of tower.
Reverse procedure to reinstall.
Replacing radius arm bushings is no big deal. Before you jack the axle and coil up into the coil tower, remove the large nut on the back of the radius arm. Remove the rear bushing. Then use a come along to pull the radius arm out of the rear bracket to remove the front half of the bushing. Install new bushings and let tension off of the come along. You may have to use a prybar to get the radius arm to line up into the bracket. Install the rear bushing, washer and nut and snug down to pull the bushing into place.
Once you get the radius arm bushing in, then you can jack the coil up into the tower and finish reassembly.
I like to finish tightening the radius arm bushings once I have the wheels back on and on the ground. You just want to make sure that the bushing has went into the bracket on the initial tightening.
Jason
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
Just my .02. Replacing the front springs is not difficult, but there are some safety considerations. Before removing the old springs, if you heat them with a torch, they will collapse, and no longer be a threat. You can even cut them , and take them out in pieces.
When replacing the springs, if you compress them, for safety, it helps if you lock a chain around them until you get the spring in place. Otherwise, it can launch itself causing serious injury.
When replacing the springs, if you compress them, for safety, it helps if you lock a chain around them until you get the spring in place. Otherwise, it can launch itself causing serious injury.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
No worries here, I may be crazy....but I'm not stupid. After seeing a spring go airborne years ago due to the mechanic not using a safety chain? Seeing something like that is a heck of a wake up call.
S-
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