Coil Removal Help

[jimbosz07]

I'm trying to get the front coils out of a 95 ZJ with a V8 for my budget lift, but I can't get them out. It's at my local Pick N Pull so I can't use a jack and its already sitting on jackstands on the frame at 4 corners. The axle is unweighted, but something is limiting the downtravel. Can you guys tell me how to get them out? Thanks

 

[bcmaxx]

I'm trying to get the front coils out of a 95 ZJ with a V8 for my budget lift, but I can't get them out. It's at my local Pick N Pull so I can't use a jack and its already sitting on jackstands on the frame at 4 corners. The axle is unweighted, but something is limiting the downtravel. Can you guys tell me how to get them out? Thanks

shocks, tracbar, sway bar, driveshaft? bring a big prybar,damaged arms binding? bigger prybar!

 

[jimbosz07]

Unbolted the shocks, that wasn't it. Didn't have a driveshaft hooked up either. Arms looked fine, they weren't binding on anything. It might have been the sway bars, I took off the top bolt but they were jammed together, even hit them with a driveshaft-no dice

So I guess they might be whats holding it up, but how do i get them to disconnect? Hacksaw?

 

[Jimbo_1321]

take off everything.
sway bars
track bar
control arms
brake lines
they'll pop right out

 

[jimbosz07]

I've only got one problem with that idea. Once I take off the control arms shouldn't the axle go shooting down uncontrollably? I don't wanna die, I just want some coils.....

 

[Jimbo_1321]

it's not that heavy.
unbolt the uppers first and it should lower just enough to take it off

 

[jimbosz07]

Is it still going to pop down violently if I do that or is it ok to be close to it?

 

[swbooking]

Dont be right under it but be ready for it to droop down somewhat quickly...

Or if your really that worried about it, just go rent some spring compressors from auto zone should make easy work of it.

They should look something like these ones:

 

[jimbosz07]

I have no way to compress the coils to put compressors on so that wouldn't really work. Besides those things scare the shit outta me. I think I'll try the upper control arms when I go back

Oh and heads up. The Pick N Pull on Commercial in San Jose has a black V8 ZJ with the beefy tie rod if anyone wants that. Just don't take the coils, I call them

 

[swbooking]

You dont compress the springs to put spring compressors on them...

You use the spring compressors to compress the spring enough to take them out. Ive used them many times and never had a problem. Hell ive even done it with two ratchet straps without problems...

haha what doesnt scare you?

 

[jimbosz07]

My uncle is a cop and has responded to a few calls recently about coils slipping out of the compressors. One killed the guy and the other went through the wall of a garage

 

[swbooking]

haha wow... I guess theres a risk in everything.

Well good luck :thumbup:

 

[playwithit]

Make sure there is no retainer holding the spring. Step down on the hub/rotor and yank the some bitch out. It ain't your Jeep, nice big prybar helps too.

 

[SeansXJ]

it sketch either way you look at it.......another vote for dropping the CAs.

 

[Bryan C.]

Usually the stock lower control arms hit the axle brackets keeping it from coming down far enough. Just drop both of the lower arms at the frame end to keep yourself away from the falling axle. Leave the uppers connected just to help keep everything stable.

 

[Letterman]

Yeah, just remove lower control arms.

 

[srmitchell]

Take your stock bottle jack into picknpull.

Place the jack in between the lower control arm and the unibody rail.

Extend it until the coil is free, and then carefully remove it.

 

[tommyboy]

Its not that hard to pull em out. I just yanked mine out the other day in no joke like 20 mins. Just like what was said earlier, make sure eveything like sway bars are discoed then the ucas and if that wont do it than do the lcas. Keep all limbs away of course and youre good. It wont lunge and attack you.