Autospring 2" install
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Autospring 2" install
As many others have noted, this install is very easy and straightforward.
I didn't even use the install instructions, but instead used the ones at the following link:
http://f150online.com/forums/suspens...t-install.html
It's for a 2.5" install, but the same process. Awesome write-up, TXST8tj !!
A couple notes I would add to the process above:
Get the 30mm deep socket. I was able to get the job done on the passenger side with the standard 1/2" drive 30mm socket, but I couldn't get enough socket on the driver's side for a good bite for some reason. Once I had the 30mm deep, it was no sweat.
I didn't find the strut rod bolt unbearably hard to break loose, but I had a 18 inch 1/2" drive breaker bar, and I'm 240#. If you have hard time with it, I think a couple foot section of pipe for leverage will do the job.
When loosening the upper ball joint bolt: If you find the bolt wants to spin after you've freed the upper control arm from the spindle, use a 10mm wrench on the end to keep the bolt from spinning - or grab the exposed (smooth) part of the bolt with pliers. I actually took the nut all the way off and just put it back on with a handful of threads grabbing to keep things from flying when I did the second side.
When separating the upper control arm from the spindle:
I had bought a pitman arm puller from Advance Auto, and it didn't fit. It wasn't deep enough, and I would have had to grind or cut off the end of the bolt, I didn't want to do that, so I broke out the sledge hammer. Despite others notes of having a hard time getting them separated, It probably took half a dozen or so shots with the hammer on the upper control arm to separate them. Literally less than a minute to get them separated.
Other than that, no sweat. If you can turn a wrench, it's an easy job and can be done within 2-3 hours.
More words of encouragement: Putting aside removing the wheel and mounting the spacer to the top of the strut, it's literally a 3 bolt job:
sway arm bolt, strut rod bolt, upper control arm bolt. How much easier can it get!! ??
I didn't even use the install instructions, but instead used the ones at the following link:
http://f150online.com/forums/suspens...t-install.html
It's for a 2.5" install, but the same process. Awesome write-up, TXST8tj !!
A couple notes I would add to the process above:
Get the 30mm deep socket. I was able to get the job done on the passenger side with the standard 1/2" drive 30mm socket, but I couldn't get enough socket on the driver's side for a good bite for some reason. Once I had the 30mm deep, it was no sweat.
I didn't find the strut rod bolt unbearably hard to break loose, but I had a 18 inch 1/2" drive breaker bar, and I'm 240#. If you have hard time with it, I think a couple foot section of pipe for leverage will do the job.
When loosening the upper ball joint bolt: If you find the bolt wants to spin after you've freed the upper control arm from the spindle, use a 10mm wrench on the end to keep the bolt from spinning - or grab the exposed (smooth) part of the bolt with pliers. I actually took the nut all the way off and just put it back on with a handful of threads grabbing to keep things from flying when I did the second side.
When separating the upper control arm from the spindle:
I had bought a pitman arm puller from Advance Auto, and it didn't fit. It wasn't deep enough, and I would have had to grind or cut off the end of the bolt, I didn't want to do that, so I broke out the sledge hammer. Despite others notes of having a hard time getting them separated, It probably took half a dozen or so shots with the hammer on the upper control arm to separate them. Literally less than a minute to get them separated.
Other than that, no sweat. If you can turn a wrench, it's an easy job and can be done within 2-3 hours.
More words of encouragement: Putting aside removing the wheel and mounting the spacer to the top of the strut, it's literally a 3 bolt job:
sway arm bolt, strut rod bolt, upper control arm bolt. How much easier can it get!! ??
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
When separating the upper control arm from the spindle:
I had bought a pitman arm puller from Advance Auto, and it didn't fit. It wasn't deep enough, and I would have had to grind or cut off the end of the bolt, I didn't want to do that, so I broke out the sledge hammer. Despite others notes of having a hard time getting them separated, It probably took half a dozen or so shots with the hammer on the upper control arm to separate them. Literally less than a minute to get them separated.
I had bought a pitman arm puller from Advance Auto, and it didn't fit. It wasn't deep enough, and I would have had to grind or cut off the end of the bolt, I didn't want to do that, so I broke out the sledge hammer. Despite others notes of having a hard time getting them separated, It probably took half a dozen or so shots with the hammer on the upper control arm to separate them. Literally less than a minute to get them separated.
