How to install front lowering spring step by step?

[Yuta]

Hi all

I want to buy a front lowering kit for my 93 mm 2wd. What is the steps to sucessfully install it? Do i need spring compression tool? Will Harbor freight one work?
First step should be removing shocks correctly?
Second step should be compress spring and remove it, correct?
Third, compress new spring and install it
Fourth, install new shock.

Anyone has done it? Please share your experience.

[geezer101]

You shouldn't need spring compressors to get the lowered coils in but you'll need a pair of shop heavy duty axle stands to support the frame at the front and a hydraulic jack to support the control arm while you pull the shock and spring out. Make sure you have the front end of your truck up high enough from the ground to allow you to sufficiently drop the lower control arm out of the way. Support the lower control arm with the jack (pick a spot that won't get in the way of taking the shock out), undo the bottom ball joint nut and give either side of the ball joint lower knuckle a smack with a hammer (the shock is usually enough to free it, leave the retaining nut on there partially to protect the thread and prevent the control arm from just dropping straight out), undo the shock nuts and bolts, take the ball joint retaining nut off completely then slowly drop the jack height to unseat the spring and pull it free. Rinse, repeat and reverse the procedure to assemble it.

[Yuta]

I see, so the shock is what's holding the tension of the spring. Once the shock is gone, the spring is going to be loose, correct?

[Yuta]

You shouldn't need spring compressors to get the lowered coils in but you'll need a pair of shop heavy duty axle stands to support the frame at the front and a hydraulic jack to support the control arm while you pull the shock and spring out. Make sure you have the front end of your truck up high enough from the ground to allow you to sufficiently drop the lower control arm out of the way. Support the lower control arm with the jack (pick a spot that won't get in the way of taking the shock out), undo the bottom ball joint nut and give either side of the ball joint lower knuckle a smack with a hammer (the shock is usually enough to free it, leave the retaining nut on there partially to protect the thread and prevent the control arm from just dropping straight out), undo the shock nuts and bolts, take the ball joint retaining nut off completely then slowly drop the jack height to unseat the spring and pull it free. Rinse, repeat and reverse the procedure to assemble it.


I see, so the shock is what's holding the tension of the spring. Once the shock is gone, the spring is going to be loose, correct?

[geezer101]

It's the steering hub that holds the whole show together via the ball joints (they will prevent the lower control arm from dropping out so low that the spring will fully decompress and fall out) . You could drive around without the shock absorbers installed but you'd eventually lose your lunch. You won't be able to free the springs without removing the shock absorbers anyway but you really won't need a spring compressor tool - like I said just make sure you have a jack to support it and gently lower it down once you've cracked the ball joint so it doesn't try to fly apart in your face. A stock fully extended spring is about 11" so that will give you an idea of how much you'll need to drop the lower control arms down out of the top retaining seats.

[Yuta]

It's the steering hub that holds the whole show together via the ball joints (they will prevent the lower control arm from dropping out so low that the spring will fully decompress and fall out) . You could drive around without the shock absorbers installed but you'd eventually lose your lunch. You won't be able to free the springs without removing the shock absorbers anyway but you really won't need a spring compressor tool - like I said just make sure you have a jack to support it and gently lower it down once you've cracked the ball joint so it doesn't try to fly apart in your face. A stock fully extended spring is about 11" so that will give you an idea of how much you'll need to drop the lower control arms down out of the top retaining seats.

Will try this weekend~ Thanks a lot!