4.5" coil spring install help!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 734
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From: Shippensburg, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Please read everything before replying. Thank you.
I have my axle dropped as low as it will go, I even removed the calipers so I could drop lower. As you can see in the picture included, I have a compressor in the spring but once it's in there, I can't get it out when the spring is in place. I can't disassemble the compressor inside the spring cause there isn't an opening big enough for the pieces to come out. Plus, the instructions to my lift say to install the lower control arm before decompressing the spring. I need another option. These springs are huge and I've never done this before. The compressor is rented, and now it's bent from the force of the spring, I'm afraid they won't take it back. I can't drop the axle low enough to get them in the without them compressed. I mean the axle is just hanging by its upper control arms and such. I've used a pair of spring compressors that go on the outside of the spring before on my old cavalier. Should I try those on this? They are way more dangerous and scare the hell out of me.
What should I do guys??? This noob needs some veteran help right now.
Thanks again.
I have my axle dropped as low as it will go, I even removed the calipers so I could drop lower. As you can see in the picture included, I have a compressor in the spring but once it's in there, I can't get it out when the spring is in place. I can't disassemble the compressor inside the spring cause there isn't an opening big enough for the pieces to come out. Plus, the instructions to my lift say to install the lower control arm before decompressing the spring. I need another option. These springs are huge and I've never done this before. The compressor is rented, and now it's bent from the force of the spring, I'm afraid they won't take it back. I can't drop the axle low enough to get them in the without them compressed. I mean the axle is just hanging by its upper control arms and such. I've used a pair of spring compressors that go on the outside of the spring before on my old cavalier. Should I try those on this? They are way more dangerous and scare the hell out of me.
What should I do guys??? This noob needs some veteran help right now.
Thanks again.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
From: Holland MI
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've installed them without compressors.
Use a big pry bar to push the bottom of the spring up and onto the coil bucket.
Might need a kick to get it in.
It's hard to explain through text, just how I've done it.
Use a big pry bar to push the bottom of the spring up and onto the coil bucket.
Might need a kick to get it in.
It's hard to explain through text, just how I've done it.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: grand rapids
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Use the other style spring compressor...
Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.
And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.
And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
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From: grand rapids
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Also try different angles...like from the back side of the bucket....without the shocks in the way. Then you don't have the Cs nor the sway bar link brackets in the way...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Shippensburg, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Use the other style spring compressor...
Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.
And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
Or I've always installed the lower CAs then jack one side of the axle up towards the body, so the other side will drop. And vise versa. Also make sure your trac bar is disco'd as this will make it Easyer for the axle to move.
And I agree with barrelmaker that's the way I do it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Shippensburg, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
I'll try to work with this idea too, didn't help when I did it with the compressor installed though.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: grand rapids
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Giver a shot. And try a few different angles too..also a crow bar isn't going to hurt anything beside possibly yourself if your not careful with it. But it's not rocket science. Some coils just wont go in with out being compressed. I put my 2" spacer and 3.5" coils in without a compressor...yet we could not get my buddy's 4.5" coils In without one... Weird how that works.
Same time here also. GR, MI.
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