06 silverado coils springs

[J. Beal]

I'm replacing the lower control arm on my 06 silverado 2wd. I've seen videos of folks using a jack to remove the shock, low ball joint and sway bar, and the spring just comes out after you let the jack down. Is this really a thing, or do I need to compress this first? 

 

[Supreme Pizza]

There may be a way, but I have never had much luck doing anything with the coil springs, without using the dreaded coil spring compressor. An impact wrench makes it go much faster.

 

Somewhat dangerous compressing springs, but it is what it is.

 

I use my own spring compressors, but if you don't have any, the local parts store will loan them to you.

Edited December 27, 2021 by Supreme Pizza

[richard wysong]

if you just lower the arm theres a good chance the spring will come out like a missile possibly injuring you and damaging anything in its path. use a spring compressor . the first time I ever did 1 with out a compressor was on an old Toyota car and it took a chunk out of a solid concrete floor then ricochate around the garage

[dna9656]

14 hours ago, richard wysong said:

if you just lower the arm theres a good chance the spring will come out like a missile possibly injuring you and damaging anything in its path. use a spring compressor . the first time I ever did 1 with out a compressor was on an old Toyota car and it took a chunk out of a solid concrete floor then ricochate around the garage

Richard

            Was it as good for you as it was for the spring? I bet a good time was had by all!!!!

[richard wysong]

as always being a mechanic is a learning experience. if you don't know ask so J is doing ok

[shakenfake]

I have never used a spring compressor. To take them out I just let the LCA down with a jack like you suggested and it shoots out. Be careful as this could hurt you lol but it really doesn't shoot out that bad, also there was a way I had figured out how to let the spring decompress before dropping the LCA all the way down and I was able to just take it out by hand.

 

Putting them back in just jack up the LCA with the spring in it and use a pry bar to pry in the spring. Best and easiest method I have found to do this job imo