Has anyone tried to remove and replace the front coil springs by removing the large pivot bolt on the lower control arm and dropping the arm that way instead of the ball joint separation procedure. It appears to be do-able but I thought I would ask before embarking on the job.

Thanks.

 

Not in my truck, but I have in another and its a major pain. atleast for my application, it was nearly a bear to get the a-arm to line back up with the bolt holes since it kept wanting to shift around and not stay straight.

I believe the ball joint seperation metod is easiest.

 

I have read in several threads that separating the ball joints without a pneumatic pickle fork can be a real project, so my inclination was to look for another way. I did not realize that the alignment of the bolt would be so dificult, but I have never tried, so I appreciate your input. Perhaps someone else has tried it on this truck and can share their results.

 

Dont Do It! The Best Way Is The Ball Joint Side .it Is Dangerous Tring To Get It Back Together As Well As Apart.you Can Undo The Ball Joint Support The Bottom With A Jack Or Stand [hd ]and Lower It And Pry Out The Spring . Some A Re Still Hard To Get Out! Reverse To Go Back.

 

I did it by popping the lower ball joint. I put the truck up on jack stands and supported the bottom of the lower control arm with a 2 ton jack. Also disconnected the front strut bar. Just stand forward of the truck when lowering the jack. I had no problems and there wasn't much pressure on the spring. Did another 350 the same way with np problems.

Showing it apart.
http://dens-site.net/Dodge_CTD/Coil_...ings%20010.jpg

More pics here

You'll see I used a small peice of 2x4 as a guide to raise it back up without it catching.

Den

 

Great review of it..have a quick question I'm looking to do the same idea but just put spacers...when you took off the ball joint did it come apart on it's own or did you have a pickle fork etc to get them to come apart?