GeorgeP2306

Hi everyone,

I'm quite the amateur and was wondering what I should be cautious of when replacing my shocks and putting in new coil springs. I bought the flag nuts for the upper bracket for the rear shocks since those nuts usually break. Is there anything I should know, specifically about the front, before I get started?

Roler

Other than being super careful when doing spring compression work yourself, the front is pretty straight forward. But once again, spring compression jobs are a hazard, know what you are getting yourself involved in.

Have you got a service manual of some sorts?

Soak the bolts overnight in some good penetrating oil.

GeorgeP2306

Yea I've heard spring compression could be dangerous, I'm gonna be as careful as I can. I've been spraying wd 40 penetrant every few days since the last thing I want to do is snap bolts.

IJM

I ended up using two sets of spring compressors (one I own and one was an AutoZone loaner) since it was difficult to get the two pieces of one set 180* from each other on the spring. I used the third one to help take up some of the force and prevent one from sliding down the spring. If you're doing a lift with taller springs like I was, it's easier to get the old springs off than the new ones on. If you're having a hard time getting the spring out from the bump stocks, disconnect the shocks and have someone push down on the hub or axle to give you maximum droop of the front axle. My lower shock bolts on the front came out no problem. The rear upper bolts, on the other hand...

IJM

Does not compute. LOL

But seriously, I've never been a big fan of WD-40 when used as a lubricant or penetrating oil, since it's designed as neither, despite what their marketing department may claim. Personally, I prefer PB Blaster, but there are dedicated penetrating oils on the market.

aroundincircles

spring compression? you shouldn't need to compress the springs to get them out.

IJM

Really? How do you get the axle to droop that far so that you can get them to clear the lower perch and also maneuver them around the bump stops? I had my shocks disconnected and still had to stand on the hub to get the axle down as far as possible even with the spring being compressed a bit.

superj

shocks and sway was disconnected? once i take those off and push downon the hub assembly i can pull the stock springs right out.

aroundincircles

I've one done this while installing a lift kit, and this only applies to stock springs, I had to compress the new 3.5" lifted ones a bit, but yeah, jack up the front as high as I can, put 6 ton jacks under the frame right behind the control arm mount, then take the tires off, and drop the axle as far as I can, without stressing the brake lines. take off the shocks and sway bar links, and you'll be able to drop it a bit more, but yeah, you then lift the spring up a bit so you take it up off the bottom perch, then it slides right out.

DustyWagoneer

^^^^^^^^^^
Kinda this!
I have 3.5" of lift, and recently when I was doing front end work, I was able to drop the springs by just having the shocks, and sway bar taken off.

RocketMouse

That's what I've done in the past too...that extra one makes a world of difference to me.... maybe because this isn't a project that I do on the daily.... but felt it made it a lot safer for me. You don't want that much stored energy releasing unexpectedly.

dzywicki

I just did this on my '99. Putting on a 2.5" Old Manu Emu lift. I have a spring compressor from harborfreight that I have used 3-4 times so it has paid for itself already. Pretty quick to put on, compress enough to get out and repeat to put the new ones in. Seems doable without compressing. Most big auto stores will have rental tools including a spring compressor. If you have never replaced your ball joints or front axle ujoints, you may want to do those while you are there and have it mostly apart.

IJM

Shocks, yes. Sway bar, maybe? Probably not since I couldn't get the stock springs out without the compressor. I'm used to using the spring compressors on struts, so pulling the Cherokee springs was a little different for me. Struts are easier since you can pull the whole thing off the car and use the spring compressor on the ground with plenty of room to work.

Spencer_P

I was able to avoid a spring compressor, for removal and install, by disconnecting the shocks, sway bar, control arms, and tie rod end. But it was a task to get the control arms back on. If I was doing it in my garage I'd probably just use a compressor vs disconnecting everything.

For the rear shock bolts if they don't thread out an air hammer is a lot more effective at punching them out than using a hammer.

awg

there is always this



However you dont need to compress the springs much if you disconnect a few things, enough space to sneak an ordinary claw compressor in there

btw, the above pic (not mine), I cant see why it wouldnt be safe as long as the breaking strain of the cable ties is high enough