Coil Spring

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1997 B-Series Models

2-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle and place jackstands under the frame and a jack under the axle.

   WARNING
   The axle must not be permitted to hang by the brake hose. If the length of the brake hoses is not sufficient to provide adequate clearance for removal and installation of the spring, the disc brake caliper must be removed from the spindle. A Strut Spring Compressor T81P-5310-A, may be used to compress the spring sufficiently, so that the caliper does not have to be removed. After removal, the caliper must be placed on the frame or otherwise supported to prevent suspending the caliper from the brake hose. These precautions are absolutely necessary to prevent serious damage to the tube portion of the brake hose!

3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Shock absorber at the lower shock stud. Remove the nut securing the lower retainer to spring seat
   • Lower retainer
4. Lower the axle as far as it will go without stretching the brake hose and tube assembly. The axle should now be unsupported without hanging by the brake hose. If not, then either remove the caliper or use Strut Spring Compressor tool, T81P-5310-A. Remove the spring.
5. If there is a lot of slack in the brake hose assembly, a pry bar can be used to lift the spring over the bolt that passes through the lower spring seat.
6. Rotate the spring so the built-in retainer on the upper spring seat is cleared.
7. Remove the coil spring.

   To install:

8. Install or connect the following:
   • Bolt in the axle arm and install the nut all the way down
   • Spring lower seat and insulator
9. With the axle in the lowest position, install the top of the spring in the upper seat. Rotate the spring into position.
10. Lift the lower end of the spring over the bolt.
11. Raise the axle slowly until the spring is seated in the lower spring seat and install the lower retainer and nut. Install or connect the following:
    • Shock absorber to the lower shock stud
    • Negative battery cable

4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Raise the vehicle and install jackstands under the frame. Position a jack beneath the spring under the axle. Raise the jack and compress the spring.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Nut retaining the shock absorber to the radius arm. Slide the shock out from the stud
   • Nut that retains the spring to the axle and radius arm and remove the retainer
4. Slowly lower the axle until all spring tension is released and adequate clearance exists to remove the spring from its mounting.
   • Spring by rotating the upper coil out of the tabs in the upper spring seat
   • Spacer and the seat

   WARNING
   The axle must be supported on the jack throughout spring removal and installation, and must not be permitted to hang by the brake hose. If the length of the brake hose is not sufficient to provide adequate clearance for removal and installation of the spring, the disc brake caliper must be removed from the spindle. After removal, the caliper must be placed on the frame or otherwise supported to prevent suspending the caliper from the brake line hose. These precautions are absolutely necessary to prevent serious damage to the tube portion of the caliper hose assembly!

5. Stud from the axle assembly, if necessary

   To install:

6. Install or connect the following:
   • Stud on the axle. Torque the stud to 190–230 ft. lbs. (258–313 Nm), if removed
   • Lower seat and spacer over the stud
7. Place the spring in position and slowly raise the front axle. Ensure springs are positioned correctly in the upper spring seats.
   • Spring lower retainer over the stud and lower seat. Torque the nut to 70–100 ft. lbs. (95–136 Nm).
   • Shock absorber to the lower stud and install the attaching nut. Torque the nut to 41–63 ft. lbs. (56–85 Nm).
   • Negative battery cable