LT spring install, am I missing something, can't get axle down enough

[wfo9]

Putting the MT Long Travel springs in tonight. I thought it would be possible to get them in without a spring compressor. The FJs seem to do it this way.

I removed the shocks, swaybar, extended the brake lines, and disconnected the ABS wire bracket... I was able to get the old springs out, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the new spring in on the drivers side. I disconnected the LCA at the axle on that side, still no go. I tried lightly pressing down with a bottle jack between the axle and the bump stop, but it is sketchy. It was moving, but I decided to call it a night.

Any ideas on what is binding it up. I figured it would just keep dropping. All the links look like there is movement left The passenger side looks like it will move down easy once the LCA is disconnected on that side.

 

[Marcocopuffs]

Putting the MT Long Travel springs in tonight. I thought it would be possible to get them in without a spring compressor. The FJs seem to do it this way.

I removed the shocks, swaybar, extended the brake lines, and disconnected the ABS wire bracket... I was able to get the old springs out, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the new spring in on the drivers side. I disconnected the LCA at the axle on that side, still no go. I tried lightly pressing down with a bottle jack between the axle and the bump stop, but it is sketchy. It was moving, but I decided to call it a night.

Any ideas on what is binding it up. I figured it would just keep dropping. All the links look like there is movement left The passenger side looks like it will move down easy once the LCA is disconnected on that side.

I used a compressor and a bottle jack for my set up. You'll be fine!

 

[wfo9]

I actually have a spring compressor somewhere. I just hate dealing with them. I'm sure I will figure it out tomorrow.

I was just hoping to knock it out tonight.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Unbolt the track bar

 

[Nocturtle]

I had the same problem, I thought it would be enough to drop the rear and use the bottle jack. Compressing the spring will give that little bit of clearence to get in there. I actually sat on the spring and used a ratchet tie down to compress the spring.

 

[Nocturtle]

I had the same problem, I thought it would be enough to drop the rear and use the bottle jack. Compressing the spring will give that little bit of clearence to get in there. I actually sat on the spring and used a ratchet tie down to compress the spring.

 

[Landy]

I would jack the axle up on the opposite side to bring the axle down a little bit further on the side you're trying to install the spring in. Let me know if you need a hand. I'll PM you my number.

 

[Jesse1983]

I would jack the axle up on the opposite side to bring the axle down a little bit further on the side you're trying to install the spring in. Let me know if you need a hand. I'll PM you my number.

this

 

[rochmpr]

Unbolt the upper control arms at the axle. It made a huge difference for me.

 

[wfo9]

I would jack the axle up on the opposite side to bring the axle down a little bit further on the side you're trying to install the spring in. Let me know if you need a hand. I'll PM you my number.

Thanks for the offer. I think I'll be able to get it, but will keep you in mind.

Yea, that is how I was trying to do it last night. Still did not work.

I think the trick is going to be loosening the panhard/track bar (or the UCA) on that side. I'll do the spring compressor as a last resort. I just thought there might be some magic trick that everyone was doing.

 

[wfo9]

For anyone who runs into this down the road. I found a solution (similar to what others mentioned).

First problem was I was not jacking up the opposing side enough. It needs to go all the way to the bump stop. Just be aggressive with it. The spring was still too long to go in easy, so it needed to be compressed a little, but the spring compressor was too bulky to go in with it on. Final solution was to compress on the bench with the spring compressor and then use some straps to keep it compressed for install. Once installed the straps can be easily removed by jacking up that side.

 

[txbonds]

I think if you would have removed the panhard bar and then put your bottle jack over the axle side you were working on you would have been able to get it easily. Just make sure your floor jack under the rear diff is all the way down.

 

[wfo9]

One thing that may have been at play making my situation a bit more difficult is that my passenger lca is a little bent from a rock. The passenger side was much easier to get the spring in, but the LCA was a PITA to get back on.