front spring removal
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
Yeah take an asortment of 1/2 in extensions & ratchet & breaker bar & 1 1/8 socket & wrench & swivel , not sure about the 4wd never did one but on a 2wd you can get the the bottom bolt thru the top of the spring once you get the top out , i remove the brake calliper & unhook shock & unhook the sway bar if it has one , An impact gun is nice to have if you have a way to use a compresser...Lew
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
For what it is worth, I just went out and checked my '97 F-250 HD (Old Body style) and it is 1 1/8... Can't help with any other year or F-series,, sorry..
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Thanks for the indirect help guys..I've been looking at my new coils in my kitchen for about a week, some guy telling me 350 to out them in.. F that. I got a manual but it always pays to check what you all are saying. I gotta get me some pb blaster im on cape cod in ma salt haven it's gonna be a b#$%h. thanks for the cutting the wrench head off idea im sure ill be usng that along with some heat.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I used a combination of a breaker bar and a box end wrench, since the ratchet head is too big to get between the coils. I don't have an extension that long, but it would have been nice.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Browns Mills, NJ
I just did this job today (springs/shocks) and I was actually surprised how easy it was, it really was as simple as removing two nuts. The worst part is the lower retainer, used a 1 1/8 wrench and some seafoam with some persuasion and it came loose, but after that the spring literally fell out.
Clear night and day difference, feels like I'm driving a new truck!
Clear night and day difference, feels like I'm driving a new truck!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Delta,UT
You should not need a spring compressor. I didn't. I didn't even need one for the leveling springs I used to have.
Use a floor jack under the I beam and radius arm. Jack it up and put a jackstand under the frame. Then after the lower shock bolt is removed and the spring retainers top and bottom are removed, the suspension should drop down far enough for the spring to fall out. I think with the leveling coils I had to push down on the suspension a little.
What are you replacing your springs with, new ones or taller ones?
I think the lower spring retaining nut is 1 1/8 inch.
Use a floor jack under the I beam and radius arm. Jack it up and put a jackstand under the frame. Then after the lower shock bolt is removed and the spring retainers top and bottom are removed, the suspension should drop down far enough for the spring to fall out. I think with the leveling coils I had to push down on the suspension a little.
What are you replacing your springs with, new ones or taller ones?
I think the lower spring retaining nut is 1 1/8 inch.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Delta,UT
Price for the moogs $72.99 for both at rockauto.com and the junkyard would prob be like $50 for both so a pick n pull would be cheaper but... the moogs are new and way better. worth the extra 20 bucks or so.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Delta,UT
How do you plan on getting it aligned? Are you going to get the correct camber bushings to correct the alignment? Are you going to install them yourself or have a shop do it? Have you found a shop that knows how to install the correct bushings and align it?
You should have good answers to all of these questions before you start working on this project.
You should have good answers to all of these questions before you start working on this project.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
From what I have seen from others results those springs should give the front of the truck a little lift.
You will need to get an alignment afterwards. You may also want/need slightly longer shocks, but probably not.
You will need to get an alignment afterwards. You may also want/need slightly longer shocks, but probably not.