Swappin' Front Springs

[DennyDay]

Bought a set of d25 springs from Summitt and am going to install them this Saturday - - I looking at the Dodge manual it sez' to loosen this and remove that. My question is can I remove the shocks, jack up the front end and put stands under the frame, remove the wheels to let the axle hang and use a spring compressor to remove the old springs and install the new springs, rather than loosen the upper and lower control arms? Any one that has experience with this let me know the best way.



Thanks,

Denny

 

[tshort]

I didn't have access to a spring compressor big enough so I had to do it the hard way. I left the shock bolted in at the bottom just in case things got out of hand. I had to unbolt the sway bar, upper control arm and then jack the frame up, and let the axle fall all the way to the ground for it to come out, when it came out I just unbolted the shock and took all out at once. Then really had to jack the frame some more to get the D25s in. Pain in the butt, but got it done.

Ryan

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hrmph ummm I remember when I did mine I just unbolted sway bar ends , Shocks , and I believe the pittmann arm and Track bar. the axle went so far down the front springs rolled out across the floor LOL

 

[DennyDay]

TTT - - - Still need to know if anyone has had success using a spring compressor to make this change.



Denny

 

[jtisdale]

We used a spring compressor, it looked scary as hell, but it worked.

 

[RHestand]

I installed a set of D-25s in my 06 QC 2 weeks ago in my driveway by myself, although I could have used a buddy on the R side spring.



After putting jackstands under my frame rails. remove shocks, disconect sway bar and let axle housing drop as far down as it would go, I was able to pull both stock springs right out.



On L side new spring set in no problem, on R side the housing had not dropped far enough for the longer D-25.



I did,nt have a spring compressor so I was able to insert a five foot pry-bar into the suspention parts,stand on it and make enough space for the new spring. (Where,s my buddy?)



The prev. week I had installed a 230 LB. Buckstop bumper that was too much for my stock springs, but after new springs and 5100 Bilsteins it brought my front up 2 and 3/8s inches and a much impoved ride.



My local frontend shop est. $400 for spring install plus $100 for alignment so I thought I would give it a try. It took me about 3 hours.



IMO I think it,s a great combination and I,ll be adding a winch soon that I,m sure will be OK also.



RHestand

 

[DennyDay]

RHestand - - Thanks for the info - -just what I was looking for!



Dave - - will call tomorrow (Sunday), late PM been running one emergency after another since I said I would call Thursday night, got done about 3:00 AM and slept til now



Denny

 

[dieselshu]

Denny, no problem, life is busy for everyone. RHestand pretty much covered it but I will add a second pair of hands is a must. I did mine by myself as well and it was a pain in the rear. Replaced the shocks at the same time, the bilstein 5100's are great combo and call JACKIT. COM for the longer control arms to center your axle. On your existing arms measure from center of bolt to center of bolt both upper and lower, ask for Tyler at jack it and tell him you need longer control arms and he can set you up with a nice set. Do search on swapping control arms there's a few good write ups out there.

 

[AWestbrook]

I had the Lorenz leveling kit put on yesterday by a shop here is Houston and I was there watching the whole time. No spring compressor was used and only took them 1 1/2 hrs. He used 2 jacks under the front axle and jack stands under the frame to work the springs out. Very easily done just looking at it. By the way the kit was change of both front springs and shocks and rear shocks. Great ride too. Very pleased.