Started to install coil spring spacers on my xj last night. In hindsight an unwise undertaking to start at 7 on a work night (had to arrange for a carpool today) anyway I removed top sway bar connections, shocks, and track bar. The axle will not drop low enough to get the springs out. I was able to replace one side but only by compressing it probably an unsage amount with a set of coil spring compressors. What am I missing why won't my axle drop far enough?

 

you can undo the ucas it will help did you put jack stands under it and then put a jack under either side of the axle and jack it way up and it will drop the other side

 

Did not try jacking up one side of the axle. Now that it's pointed out to me it seems like the easy apparent logical answer, but somehow working at 10 at night in the driveway with a headlamp and 40 degrees outside it didn't come to me. Will try that tonight thanks

 

Put a small jack between the axle and the body. It'd be safer than jacking up one side.

 

What makes jacking up on one side unsafe? With everything disconnected I think that the axle will move enough to get the spring out before the frame even comes off the jack stands?

 

Not to mention you are putting a jack on a not-so-even surface, increasing the chance of the jack slipping...

 

I've tried lifting up one side to get the opposite to drop. Hit the bump-stop before the other side was low enough to get the spring off.

 

did you disconnect the steering at the pitman arm

 

Pull the axle bolts out for the lower control arms. They're binding up and not letting the axle drop far enough. Make sure the front brake hoses do not get stretched when dropping the axle.

 

get someone to step and push down on the side you are trying to get the spring out of. it sounds dangerous, but without the spring compressed, it's not that bad. you can do this while jacking up the other side.

also, as mentioned, try disconnecting the drag link also.

 

Ended up just jacking up on one side of the axle and using coil spring compressors it was enough to get it done. Thanks guys. The results are great it's amazing how a 2" budget boost can wake up the looks of an old xj