Is there helpful tips on replacing those? FSM calls for fluid drain (I have AHC) and shock removal. I need to replace springs only, don't feel like I need to remove shock. Or do I?
Rear spring coils replacement instructions needed
- Thread starter katit
- Start date
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to avoid damage and possible injury during rear spring replacement, it's very important to drain off enough fluid to completely depressurise the AHC hydraulic system before slipping the "shocks" from their lower mounting points, which you will need to do, to get enough axle travel / spring extension to enable you to remove and install the springs. just measure how much you drain and replace that amount to the reservoir.
There are threads on this, but I just swapped out mine a month or so ago and I did not have to disconnect anything except the lower shock arm.
Danger areas:
* Rear height control sensor can get damaged if it extends too far. Cautious people disconnect it first.
* Brake breather line and brake line can get hyperextended (and wrecked), cautious people disconnect the attachment bracket to allow for more extension
All I did: Jacked the back up, got the truck on stands, put another jack beneath the axle to prevent it from dropping so far and so fast that it damaged the breather and brake line, disconnected the rear shock at the bottom, and carefully lowered the axle until there was enough drop to wiggle the spring out. KEEP AN EYE ON HOSES AND THE HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR WHILE DROPPING AXLE.
Edit to add: I can't remember disconnecting the sway bar, but it should be obvious if you have to do so once you're under there.
Danger areas:
* Rear height control sensor can get damaged if it extends too far. Cautious people disconnect it first.
* Brake breather line and brake line can get hyperextended (and wrecked), cautious people disconnect the attachment bracket to allow for more extension
All I did: Jacked the back up, got the truck on stands, put another jack beneath the axle to prevent it from dropping so far and so fast that it damaged the breather and brake line, disconnected the rear shock at the bottom, and carefully lowered the axle until there was enough drop to wiggle the spring out. KEEP AN EYE ON HOSES AND THE HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR WHILE DROPPING AXLE.
Edit to add: I can't remember disconnecting the sway bar, but it should be obvious if you have to do so once you're under there.
Last edited:
ktmracer01
SILVER Star
@404object, I disagree. You can set the AHC to 'N' and jack up the truck high enough to get jack stands under the frame and keep the rear tires off the ground. The shocks will extend to their maximum travel, you can slip them off the axle mounts, and still manages to drop the rear springs out without any risk of damaging the suspension components.
Step 1. Jack up the truck high enough to get the tires off the ground w/jack stands on the frame
Step 2. Mark AHC sensor location and disconnect.
Step 3. Disconnect ABS and brake line "soft" lines from axle.
Step 4. Disconnect parking brake line from axle
Note: step 2-4 are to ensure the axle will drop after rear shocks are disconnected.
Step 5. Disconnect rear sway bar (can be done before truck is jacked up also)
Step 6. Get jack under rear dif.
Step 7. Disconnect bottom of shock from rear axle
Step 8. lower rear axle until springs come loose.
Note: you may need to have someone press down on one side so you can get the spring to drop out on each side.
Step 9. Re-install with new coils
Step 10. follow all steps in revers to put it back together.
This is a very high level summary of the steps to R&R your rear coils.
Step 1. Jack up the truck high enough to get the tires off the ground w/jack stands on the frame
Step 2. Mark AHC sensor location and disconnect.
Step 3. Disconnect ABS and brake line "soft" lines from axle.
Step 4. Disconnect parking brake line from axle
Note: step 2-4 are to ensure the axle will drop after rear shocks are disconnected.
Step 5. Disconnect rear sway bar (can be done before truck is jacked up also)
Step 6. Get jack under rear dif.
Step 7. Disconnect bottom of shock from rear axle
Step 8. lower rear axle until springs come loose.
Note: you may need to have someone press down on one side so you can get the spring to drop out on each side.
Step 9. Re-install with new coils
Step 10. follow all steps in revers to put it back together.
This is a very high level summary of the steps to R&R your rear coils.
- Thread starter
- #6
Ok, I did not see it yet, but I will have truck on a lift with wheels hanging. I though I can use spring compressor to get them out and in and don't do anything with shocks. Possible?
@2001LC recommends compressor because you don’t put anything at risk (provided you are careful with the compressor!).
- Thread starter
- #8
Ok, compressor was a way to go. Free rental from autozone. Left side replaced "in place". To do right side I had to remove one bolt and remove cross-bar. Other than that - all done on a lift, no wheels or anything else had to be touched.
Wow the old springs sagged a lot! Interesting way to doing this, i've always removed the lower shock bolt and sway bar links to get them out. How much did you have to compress the springs to get them to come loose?
- Thread starter
- #10
I would say 2-3 inches total compression and grab it with 1 coil in a middle.
As far old spring sagging - Hard to tell for sure because spring I got is from what I believe LC, stronger ones with different PNs. Maybe they longer by themselves
- Thread starter
- #11
I suspected this is a case, tried couple sockets but didn't work for me as I wasn't sure there is bolt there and you can't see in there. But if you can remove this plastic/rubber (undo 1 bolt which looks like 12mm socket) - spring removal will be super easy
