Been a long time since I have been on the sight, but I need your help! Looking for step by step instructions on removing a front spring.

Short story, bought the 1.5 springs months ago, had a shop install - my driver side is a 1/2 inch higher than the passenger side. Shop insists they installed the springs correctly claiming the spring tension or the truck is off. No they did not measure first, but I did and everything was even.

Call Hotchkis, great people - told me to inspect the install, giving me a few pointers on what to look for. Said the only way to really tell is to swap the springs, see if the 1/2 variance exists after that.

Not going to pay $140 - $180 bucks to swap, want to do it myself.

Did a search couldn't find instructions, please help!

D-Day

 

This is the guide I used. Good step by step how-to.
http://www.lightningrodder.com/forum...read.php?t=417

 

Fire Guy

THANK YOU, that is perfect!


D-Day

 

Side-to-side variance is the rule, not the exception.

You can add a spacer on the low side or trim a bit of the coil on the high side.

But before you do anything, maybe you should measure with you in the truck. I would actually prefer the driver's side a bit higher to compensate for my weight.

 

Tim thanks for the thought.

The passenger side is right on the money in combination with the rear lowering JLP shackle at the lowest setting.

When you stand back on the driver side you notice that the half inch actually gaps the wheel to wheel well higher in the front than the gap in the rear (looks like crap). Just doesn't look good and believe it or not, looking at the truck from the front it is clearly tilted up on the drivers side.

I mentioned to the install shop, "can't I just trim the spring?" - Quote he responded "that it would weaken the spring"

Do you disagree? Think I can cut the spring without any issues?

Thanks


D-Day

 

Dan -

One thing to check is how the spring is seated in the lower control arm. There is a "stop" that the end of the spring rests against when it is installed properly. If they didn't twist it until it stopped against the stop, it could be a little high.

Also, if you cut the spring without getting it overly hot, it should not weaken it.

Slow cut with a hacksaw and a Remington "Anything" blade will do it nicely.

 

You absolutely can trim the spring. The only danger is that heating the spring can affect its temper. Use a cut-off wheel and you're good to go. If you are uber-****, rest the spring in a bucket of water while you cut.

I would wait until everything is settled in, though.

Also, check B-Man's tip first. The end of the spring

should be sitting in the depression where the two little drainage holes are:


Because of the leverage factor, a 1/4" error at the spring pocket could give you the 1/2" variance at the wheel.

 

O.K. - thanks for your help!

D-Day