Hotchkis 19390 Coil Springs, Set, 67-72 C-10, Small Block, 4"-6 Drop" - Manual (Page 2)

2F
Remove Wheels
Remove the front wheels.
3F
Remove Cotter Pins
Our main objective is to detach the lower control from the spindles. In order to do that we
will need to unfasten the lower ball joint castle nut. The first step in doing this is to remove
the cotter pins using dikes or pliers.
4F
Loosen Lower Ball Joint Castle Nut
Once the cotter pin is out of the way, use a wrench to loosen the castle nut. DO NOT undo
the castle nut completely. Just loosen the nut so there is 3-4 threads showing between the
bottom of the nut and the spindle. This gap will allow you to break the taper loose without
launching the lower control arm down and sending the spring airborne.
5F
Disengage Ball Joint Taper
The lower ball joint stud is tapered and seats inside the spindle mount. It will take a certain
amount of impact to break this taper seat loose. Do so by using a large ball peen hammer
and smack the spindle mount until the ball joint breaks loose. This may take quite a few tries,
but it will eventually break loose. Spray penetrating oil on the stud/spindle mating surface to
ease the process. Once the taper seat breaks loose you will hear the lower arm pop and the
load from the spring is resting on the castle nut.