Its driving me nuts, I have the shock out and the sway bar end link and I dont know where to go from there. I have a old chilton manual for 54-6? but the diagram and info are very vague. I even ventured into the tech archives and didnt have much luck. Any pics and info will be awesome thanks
Hi I have to admit, I never done it, but its on my list, for my 51 coupe!!! I am sure someone will chime in here, with alot more info than I could give!! Here is a good place to look at a service manual!! http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/ It will show the breakdown, alot clearer. Also check out chevytalk.com the 49-54 forum, there is alot of good info, over there also.
Whatever you do, safety chain that spring with a loose length of chain holding the top coil to the frame. Something that will let it pop a foot but no further. This will make sense as you know more about pulling springs, but there's a ton of stored energy there and the last thing you want is a spring shooting out. I have yet to meet a spring compressor worth a **** for GM frontends. Undo the lower spindle to A arm with the A arm on a jack. Lower jack one inch. Smack spindle with sledge to release ball joint. Lower jack the rest of the way. With safety chain in place, pry spring out of the lower A arm with prybar. Good luck
I've done it. I used a long threaded rod and big washers that went from the bottom of the lower control arm up through the upper shock mounting hole. Tightenn it up just enough to take up a little bit of slack in the spring. Unbolt the lower control arm and CAREFULLY undo the nuts untill the springis relaxed. If you want I can take a pic andpost it for you. Todd
Thanks guys I really appreciate the fast response. Tug would you post a pic for me?, I appreciate it Also where do I unbolt the lower a arm from?? The 4 bolts that hold the shaft in place? The two bolts with zerk fittings in them? Thanks again
I have done 3 early chevy's.The way I did them was,I unbolted the a frame from the crossmember.Just place the jack under the a frame,loosen the bolts,and SLOWLY release the jack.I never secured the spring.In fact,they were still inside the saddles. HTH, Joe
I put the car on jackstands, put the jack under the lower inner spring, take out the shock, unbolt the sway bar end, remove the four bolts that hold the A arm to the cross member (usually have to be pryed or pounded out) and slowly lower the jack, then I repeat this proccess to get the springs back in
Put a jack under the lower control are, put the weight of the car on it. take out the four bolts that hold the bar to the frame on the control arm. once you have that let the jack down SLOWLY till you can move the spring then drop the control are out of the way and pull the spring out. should go back together in the reverse prettty easy.
So I finished it a few hours ago. I cut one full coil out and it dropped it about 2 inches, I think I might go and take a lil more out. Here are a couple pics, what you guys think?
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