What to do? Coils are trapped.

[adio3x]

Long story short, installed the Icon MT LT v 2.0 shocks the other day & was planning on throwing the MT LT coils in at the same time, but for the life of me couldn't get the OME 896s out of the rear axle. Threw the car on jacks, used a floor jack to drop the rear diff & even stood on one of the hubs, but those suckers weren't going anywhere.

Any tips? I was told to look into spring compressor tools but have read nothing but bad news (the 2 piece ones you can rent), I really don't want one of those to fly through my face a week before the Lone Star Jamboree. Might just say screw it and have a shop do it.

Thanks all.

 

[470SNC]

undo the rear sway bar and unbolt the brake lines from the rear lower control arms, if extreme and use a bottle jack to compress one side of the axle while using the floor jack under on the other side

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Undo the away bar links, if that doesn't work, support the rear axle and undo the pan hard.

 

[st8rocks]

I've used spring compressors a dozen times and have never had an issue. I used them installing my Icon overland springs, idk how else I would have gotten those suckers in there. The horror stories must come from the dumb dumb Heep/civic guys. :moon:

 

[blkhwk]

Had the same issues you are having with that spring. Finally went to the auto parts store and rented the spring compressor. I too was a little wary but once you lock the clamps on their not coming off on their own.

 

[bimrunner]

I've found disconnecting the swaybar as well as the upper links really helps get it down far enough if you have it jacked up on high quality stands far enough. You will want to disconnect the brake lines like said but I assume that is done since you are putting on the new lower links. Getting the LT springs in is fun too.

 

[rochmpr]

I've found disconnecting the swaybar as well as the upper links really helps get it down far enough if you have it jacked up on high quality stands far enough. You will want to disconnect the brake lines like said but I assume that is done since you are putting on the new lower links. Getting the LT springs in is fun too.

Fully agree with disconnecting the upper links. Made a huge difference when I installed my MT Long Travel. When I unbolted the link from the axle, it was like it was spring loaded and shot up and allowed further down travel of the axle.

 

[wfo9]

If you think getting the springs out is hard, wait till you try putting the LT springs in......LOL It's actually not that bad once you know the technique.

The drivers side is a bit of a pain to get the LT springs in.... Passenger is much easier. The pan hard is what causes the drivers side to be harder. Your call if it worth disconnecting... Links can be a royal PITA to get lined back up.....

Sway bar off for sure. I think lower control arms also (maybe just the side being installed, might be able to keep them on). Obviously shocks off... For LT springs, you will need the extended brake lines and the speed sensor bracket off.

Then you need to raise the side you are not installing as high as possible (articulate....). Be careful with the jack stands and make sure the truck is stable. Bottle jack can help to push the install side down further. Even then I could not get the drivers side spring in. (old springs literally fell out). I had to compress the LT spring with a spring compressor. Strap it. Then it went in easy. Once in, compress that side with jack and release strap. Now that I know the technique, any spring is pretty easy.

I think my passenger slide went in without compressing it... You don't need to compress much, just an inch or so. Straps make it way easier as the spring compressor will get in the way when you try to side them in.

Oh yea, get both springs out before attempting to put in the LT springs, and put the drivers side in first.

PM m if you need any help... I'll walk you through it. I did not remove my upper links. That may work, but putting them back in.... not sure how bad it would be. The axle will move.