Time to drop the dime
#46
Next comes prepping the spring for installation, (originally I reassembled the front suspension WITHOUT the spring spacers,... but found that it lowered the truck too much for what I ultimately have planned for the blazer).
There were no clearance or bottoming issues, and it looked pretty sweet but with other (future modifications) it just wouldn't look right. So the decision was made to pull the springs and install the spacer to raise the front end approximately 1".
(The tape was used to keep the spacer in the proper alignment on the spring during the installation into the spring pocket of the frame)
There were no clearance or bottoming issues, and it looked pretty sweet but with other (future modifications) it just wouldn't look right. So the decision was made to pull the springs and install the spacer to raise the front end approximately 1".
(The tape was used to keep the spacer in the proper alignment on the spring during the installation into the spring pocket of the frame)
#47
Next the spring is inserted into the upper spring pocket, (taking the care to make sure that the spring aligns properly into the upper spring pocket) and then into the lower spring pocket of the lower control arm.
#48
After locating the spring into the pocket of the lower control arm, loosely attach the spindle and place a jack under the control arm.
Last edited by blazeofglory; 02-19-2017 at 06:21 PM. Reason: forgot to add photo
#49
At this point you slowly raise the jack and guide the upper ball joint into the spindle, add the castle nut, and torque both ball joint nuts (upper and lower) to spec.
Before removing the jack, insure that the spring is properly located in the pockets (upper and lower) and that both ball joint nuts are installed and torqued.
NOTE: The photos show the hub and rotor installed on the spindle, as the original photos were too blurry to use (the photos were taken during the reassembly following the spacer install) I will show the hub and rotor to spindle assembly later.
Before removing the jack, insure that the spring is properly located in the pockets (upper and lower) and that both ball joint nuts are installed and torqued.
NOTE: The photos show the hub and rotor installed on the spindle, as the original photos were too blurry to use (the photos were taken during the reassembly following the spacer install) I will show the hub and rotor to spindle assembly later.
#50
Next reinstall the shock absorber.
Start by removing the upper mount nut, washer, and top bushing. Then feed the shock up through the bottom of the lower control arm, then through the center of the spring, and finally through the upper mount hole in the frame. Loosely reinstall the hardware removed (top shock mount) Finally install the shock mount bolts into the lower control arm and torque all shock mount bolts/nut to spec.
NOTE: if using Bell Tech (possibly others as well) shocks, you may need to grind a portion of the lower mount in order for the shock to mount correctly into the lower control arm. (see photo)
Start by removing the upper mount nut, washer, and top bushing. Then feed the shock up through the bottom of the lower control arm, then through the center of the spring, and finally through the upper mount hole in the frame. Loosely reinstall the hardware removed (top shock mount) Finally install the shock mount bolts into the lower control arm and torque all shock mount bolts/nut to spec.
NOTE: if using Bell Tech (possibly others as well) shocks, you may need to grind a portion of the lower mount in order for the shock to mount correctly into the lower control arm. (see photo)