Probably a dumb question - replacing rear springs

[C.Sco]

I posted this in the "questions that don't deserve their own thread" thread, but it didn't get an answer there so maybe it does require its own thread after all.

Is there some trick I'm missing to drop the rear axle down far enough that I can change springs without having to compress them?

Last time I changed my rear springs from 3.5" to 4.5", I disconnected my track bar, shocks, and I think my swaybar links. I got the 3.5" springs out easily enough, but to get the 4.5" springs in I had to compress the 5h!t out of them with spring compressors, and have my kid stand on the brake rotor on each side as I was doing it, and I could still barely squeeze it in there. Now I'm planning to change them out again for 5.5" springs, and I'm dreading how that's going to go. I'm not even sure I can safely compress the springs enough to do it.

It feels like I'm not understanding something, or I'm not disconnecting enough stuff or something. Why is it so damn hard for me to drop the axle low enough to just slip the old springs out and new ones in?

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[jadmt]

you do not need to compress the coils. remove the rear lower shock bolts, swaybar links, loosen up the control arms and track bar bolts and remove the connector to the locker, and pull the breather hose, disconnect the parking brake from hub if needed but probably not needed. I find it easier to do one side at at time ie leave the opposite side tire in place...I have done many over the years and never had to compress coils.

 

[C.Sco]

you do not need to compress the coils. remove the rear lower shock bolts, swaybar links, loosen up the control arms and track bar bolts and remove the connector to the locker, and pull the breather hose, disconnect the parking brake from hub if needed but probably not needed. I find it easier to do one side at at time ie leave the opposite side tire in place...I have done many over the years and never had to compress coils.

Thanks! I think maybe the part I didn't do before was loosening up the control arms

 

[jadmt]

Thanks! I think maybe the part I didn't do before was loosening up the control arms

yes loosen all suspension parts and while I have normally done them solo it helps if you have another set of hands/feet to push down on the axle while the other shoves them in.

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