I'm about to replace the upper ball joints/control arms on a 2002 2wd. The truck has a leveling kit on it(spacers) and its a pain in the rear to replace the coil springs after front end is broken down. Does anyone know if it would be possible to just separate the upper BJ from the hub and keep the spring compressed with a jack to avoid decompressing the coil spring? I know it isn't the safest approach, but would I be able to access the UCA bolts like that?

 

As long as you don't remove the shock the spring isn't going anywhere. Just put a jackstand under the lower arm to keep it in place.

 

you're wanting to unbolt the UCA with the truck on the ground?

 

I think he was thinking he had to support it by the frame and take off the whole front suspension with it hanging freely to do it. When really all you have to do is take the wheel off, break the old joint free, and then undo the arm and swap in the new one without having to take anything else off, it can be done in like an hour or so per side depending on how fast you work.

 

Alright sweet. That's exactly what I needed to know pizzaman711