Front Spring Install

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I'll soon be receiving a set of Valley springs--2" lift--and Rancho 9000's. If anyone with knowledge of how to change the springs would take the time to share their wisdom and save me probable grief, I'll worship you for a whole day.

 

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I've taken the front springs out of my 97 (2WD) before, and added 2" rubber spacer rings under the springs. It wasn't too bad. I jacked it WAY up in the air, and let the frame down on blocks under about the firewall. With the front tires & shocks off, I put a jack under the lower control arms, and took the two big control arm bolts (closest to the oil pan) out, and let the jack down slowly. The springs rolled right out, no need to take the ball joints loose. I set the spacers in the bottom of the spring pocket, put the springs in place, and jacked up slowly until the bolt holes lined up, and put it back together. The reason I did this, was because the rubber frame bumpers had been hitting the controll arm, due to spring settling I guess. (or could it be the weight of the 900 lb motor, & 150 lbs of batteries that ought to be mounted someplace else!)

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Locomotive Engineer/Red Ram Driver! 97,2500,Auto,3:54,2WD,Re-sale Red,Loaded w/Leather, Diamond Tread running boards & box, Bumper guards,"Bull Ring" tie-downs, Front bumper guards, Clearance lights,TST 230 HP kit, K&N, Combo exhaust temp & boost gauge, Eng. & Trans. temp gauges. 3 Pos. Lock up switch.



[This message has been edited by Dennis Garrett (edited 12-13-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Beliver, Is your truck a 4x4 or 4x2? If its a 4x4, I can post the procedure #ad


Do you have a factory service manual?

1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)



[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 12-14-1999). ]

 

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Hurst Hemi, I've got a 4wd; no manual.

 

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Coil Spring R&R 94 2500 4x4

Tools Required: torque wrench
STRONG TALL truck jack stands
Good hydraulic floor jack
Various 1/2 & 3/8 drive sockets (metric & standard)
Pitman Arm puller or similar tool
A helper is recommended
(1) Raise truck and place a jack stand under each frame rail, behind
the lower link attaching points. Try to get it up HIGH. Leave the jack
under the front axle to support it. Note: I couldn`t keep the front axle str8 & level with the
jack, may need a jack stand on one side.

(2) Remove front wheels

(3) Scribe alignment marks on lower suspension arm cam adjusters and axle bracket
for installation reference.

(4) remove upper suspension arm ( these may be tight, might have to raise & lower jack to free them )& loosen lower suspension arm bolts.

(5) Mark & Disconnect front drive shaft from axle.

(6) Disconnect the track bar from the frame rail bracket. Note: I used a "pickle"
fork. This was a big mistake!. Ripped the boot, pounded away till arm was numb.
Use the CORRECT puller.

(7) Disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm. Use a puller!

(8) Disconnect the sway bar end links and shocks from axle. Note: recommend removing
shocks completely now. Remove the 3 nuts that attach the shock tower to the coil spring tower.

(9) Now try lowering thr front axle slowly. It should come down freely. Lower it enough
to pull the coil springs out.

Installation is pretty much the reverse of removal

Here are some tips: Put the new coil springs in the same way the old came out,
ends of springs in same position as old. Don`t forget the
rubber insulator the goes on top of the spring. Make sure
its seated correctly.

When you go to reinstall the track bar, don`t panic if it
comes up an inch short (mine did) You may have to put on the
passenger side tire and pull the tire towards the drivers side. This
pulls the axle back into position, so the track bar can be
installed.

Also, you will notice the front axle has rotated forward (down)
I had the use the jack and a 12" 2x4 under the sway bar end link brackets
to rotate it back where it should be. Do this before you try to
the track bar & upper suspension arms.

You will see what I mean on these tips when you do it #ad


Check your shocks. Make sure they are longer than the stock ones. The Rancho`s for a 2" lift would be ideal. Mine were not long enough, and "topped out" over bumps and wore out prematurely.
Torque #`s

Final torque is with truck off stands sitting on its suspension (important)

Drag link to pitman arm (65 ft. lbs) new cotter pin too.
End link to sway bar nut (70 ft. lbs. )
Lower shock bolt (89 ft. lbs)
Track bar bolt @ at axle shaft tube (130 ft. lbs. ) Track bar @ frame
bracket (62 Ft. lbs)
Upper suspension arm @ axle bracket (89 ft. lbs) and @ frame bracket
(62 ft. lbs)
Align lower suspension arm reference marks & tighten cam nut to
(170 ft. lbs... . good luck) rear lower suspension arm nut to (88 ft. lbs)


I Can`t think of any thing else. This is a FULL DAY project! Above all BE CAREFUL
These trucks weigh alot. You don`t want one falling on ya.

E-Mail me if any questions... Good Luck #ad


Members, If I left anything out or have tips feel free to correct me. #ad
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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)

[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 12-17-1999). ]

[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 12-17-1999). ]

[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 12-23-1999). ]