OP
Installing longer springs without spring compressors—What did I do wrong?
- Thread starter TJim
- Start date
OP
nope. it was a good tip, I will try it if I have the same problem next timeHave you tried this yet?
jesseshoots
TJ Enthusiast
Haha didn't notice you said the same thing... I'll just chock it up to great minds think alike then sir!Hmm.I wish I would have thought of that.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Many ways to skin a cat.
Jack up higher...(don't know how high you've jacked)
Long prybar...as in 5 foot long and one you can stand on...
Lastly...
A lot of people get spring compressors and lose their nerve. Meaning they don't allow them to compress the springs enough.
Put the air to it...use two compressors on opposite sides of one spring. Use air to compress alternating sides tightening the compressors. Don't just run one compressor way down. Run both alternately until you're compressed enough.
Good luck
Jack up higher...(don't know how high you've jacked)
Long prybar...as in 5 foot long and one you can stand on...
Lastly...
A lot of people get spring compressors and lose their nerve. Meaning they don't allow them to compress the springs enough.
Put the air to it...use two compressors on opposite sides of one spring. Use air to compress alternating sides tightening the compressors. Don't just run one compressor way down. Run both alternately until you're compressed enough.
Good luck
derekmac
TJ Addict
OP
Why to jack up higher, when axle doesn't move any lower but does not make any contact with the ground?
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OP
I see the danger with spring compressors but I use them with caution and never had an issue..using one can really make you feel "alive"
I just did 4" springs not too long ago and I did the same steps as the OP and a little compressing of the spring and some wiggling and "threading" of the coils and they went right in...do you have a helper that can stand on the end while you use a prybar to get the spring in? also on mine I noted that the front lower control arm was touching or darn near touching the flat part where the front shocks mount to..is yours that close? if so you should be able to get the coils in fairly easily..FWIW I didn't loosen any control arms
OP
I have a helper most of the times, so I will try to have one when I do this.
I want to believe that loosening the control arms was the thing I didn't do the first time that can be the answer.
We will see. I will borrow the spring compressor again though. Just in case.
Loosening the control arms does nothing, unless you completely remove one side. You DON'T want to do that or you will be back here asking, "Why did my whole axle move and I can't get it back into place?"
Use the spring compressors. I know, people say they're dangerous. So is flexing the axle.
I tried it myself installing 2.5" springs. I had the far end of the axle at full tuck, the jounce bumper was smashed into the stop. Pushed down on the other side, still not enough. Not even close. And then something went bang, the entire front end jumped sideways and knocked the jack stands over. Luckily moving away from me, and even more lucky I had laid one of the tires under the frame. My theory is the axle side of the track bar, which I had unbolted, was hung up on the bracket or something, and slipped free causing the sideways motion.
I gave up and used spring compressors. Worked fine.
I tried it myself installing 2.5" springs. I had the far end of the axle at full tuck, the jounce bumper was smashed into the stop. Pushed down on the other side, still not enough. Not even close. And then something went bang, the entire front end jumped sideways and knocked the jack stands over. Luckily moving away from me, and even more lucky I had laid one of the tires under the frame. My theory is the axle side of the track bar, which I had unbolted, was hung up on the bracket or something, and slipped free causing the sideways motion.
I gave up and used spring compressors. Worked fine.
Ok, this seems obvious but I didn’t see it mentioned. Did you loosen the brake calipers from the axle and hang them out of the way so your brake lines are not binding and preventing axle drop?
It wasn't mentioned because most people don't touch the brakes because it just isn't necessary...it won't hurt to make sure the brake hoses aren't like a guitar string but if they are they were probably too short to begin with..YMMV
I just replaced my jounce bumpers and I have a 2.5” ome spring lift. Had to pull the springs, couldn’t squeeze them in between the coils. Took the tire off, just one at a time. Set the frame down on jack stands both sides. Pulled the top nut off the shock. Took the bolt out of the frame side control arm. Used a couple of pry bars to remove the spring. Did not pull the track bar. Then reverse order putting it back together.
Then did the other side.
Then did the other side.
