Anyone know how to change the front coil springs on a 97 gmc 1500?

I'm changing out the front coil springs on my truck, I tried using a spring compressor ( the 2 clamp deal from autozone rentals) and the problem is no matter where I set them on the springs, the compressors always bang into the top of the coil spring housing on the frame, is there a better method or tool I can use for this?Anyone know how to change the front coil springs on a 97 gmc 1500?
I own a shop, and what you are trying to do is all wrong. You could get seriously hurt this way. Do Not try to change these springs without removing the lover ball joint. You have found that you can't compress the spring that far, if you do, and it breaks loose it will come out of there with major force. The spring compressor is only useful to get the spring started back in anyway. The vehicle must be on jack stands, and place them under the frame so the weight of the vehicle is not on the lower control arm. Place a jack under the lower control arm, jack it up till it just begins to pick the vehicle up off the jack stand, stop, and keep all the weight on the stand. Remove the cotter pin, and nut from the lower ball joint. Remove the sway bar, shock, and anything else that will keep it from going down all the way. Lower the jack thats under the control arm just a little to put some pressure on the control arm, and stop. DO NOT lower it enough for the spring to pop out. Use a big hammer to smack the control arm around the sides of where the ball joint is. A few good hits, and the ball joint %26amp; control arm will seperate from the spindle. All you have to do now is; lower the jack to take the tension off the spring until it falls out. If after you lower it all the way and it won't come out, then use the spring compressor to get it the rest of the way. Put the new spring in position (pay attention to pads at top for spring to sit in) and jack the floor jack up until you can get the ball joint back in with the nut back on it. Tighten the nut to specs, install the cotter pin, and you are done. Sometimes a new spring will be hard to get in, and you will have to use the compressor to get it started, but I have never seen anyone use a spring compressor to change the springs with. There is just too much tension on the compressor this way, and it could break resulting in someone getting injured or killed. Know what you are doing when it comes to messing with things that has a lot of tension on it. Many people have been killed this way, and you are no exception. I cannot stress how dangerous this job is when done incorrectly.

Glad to help out, Good luck!!!Anyone know how to change the front coil springs on a 97 gmc 1500?
Nope --go to a shop that can dismantle the ball joints and let the parts hang down to release the spring--put the new one in and then reverse the rebuild sequence--do the ball joints too--they will need it.
Exterior spring compressors will not work on your truck. Go to a tool shop and ask for an interior spring compressor. We used to use them on all front springs prior to FWD. Take out the shock from the centre of the spring and feed the spring compressor up through the hole in the lower control arm. The compressor consists of a single threaded rod with two upper and 2 lower hooks pointing outward. Compress the spring, then remove the two a-arm to frame bolts. Lower the arm and remove the spring. Installation is the reverse of removal. Personally, when I change front springs, I usually cut them in half with a torch which saves me alot of time compressing, removing and then unloading them.
Take the springs to a spring shop and have them band the springs for you. Once they are in and everything is buttoned up you can cut the bands
To remove a coil spring, raise and support the vehicle by its frame. Let the control arm hang free.

Remove wheels, shock absorbers, and stabilizer links. Disconnect the outer tie-rod ends from their respective arms.

Unload the ball joints with a roll-around floor jack.

Jack under the lower control arm from the opposite side of the vehicle.

This allows the jack to roll back when the control arm is lowered.

Position the jack as close to the lower ball joint as possible for maximum leverage against the spring.

The spring is ready for the installation of the spring compressor



There are many different types of spring compressors.

One type uses a threaded compression rod that fits through two plates, an upper and lower ball nut, a thrust washer, and a forcing nut.

The two plates are positioned at either end of the spring.

The compression rod fits through the plates with a ball nut at either end. The upper ball nut is pinned to the rod.

The thrust washer and forcing nut are threaded onto the end of the rod.

Turning the forcing nut draws the two plates together and compresses the spring.

In some cases, it is necessary to break the tapers of both upper and lower ball joints so the steering knuckle can be moved to one side.



If the vehicle is equipped with a strut rod, this must be disconnected at the lower control arm.

Push the control arm down until the spring can be removed. If necessary, a pry bar can be used to remove the spring from its lower seat. Remove the spring and compressor.

If the same spring is to be reinstalled, leave the compressor in position. If a new spring is to be used, slowly release the pressure on the tool by backing off the forcing nut.

Compress the new spring prior to installing it.