Lower Control Arm Bushings

[az'03Silverado]

I was changing my oil on Monday and noticed that my lower control arm bushings are getting worn and will need to be changed. I have a couple of questions.

-How do I get the coil spring tension loose without killing myself?

-I found complete lower control arm assemblies available at O'reilly's including ball joints, bushings etc. Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

Any advice, tips, etc is greatly appreciated.

 

Specs-2003 Silverado 4x2 C1500 ECSB, 4.8L auto.

[ruggedlife]

put the truck up on jackstands so the front wheels are off the ground. pull the tire. pull off the brakes/tie rod end etc. undo mr. shock. put a jack under the lower control arm. break loose the balljoint up top. lower it down slowly with the jack till the spring is loose. then do what ya need to do! id do the whole control arm. and it probably wouldnt hurt to do the upper at the same time to just freshen everything up since you have it apart.

[az'03Silverado]

Thanks for the reply. I'm really leaning toward the overhauled control arms because they come with the factory style rivets on the ball joints instead of bolts. And, they come all painted up and everything.