I am currently installing a lift a spacer lift and I cannot get the axle down far enough to put the spring and spacer back in. The axle is all the way down and I followed the instructions completely... It just wont go down far enough. 97 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 3" spacer


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Use a prybar and stick it in-between. The leverage it helps create will push the spring down. You can also have someone apply presure on the axle tube.

 

you can go to autozone and get a spring ompressor to use for free. put down a deposit, and when you bring the tool back you get a 100% refund. much easier to reinstall spring with compressor.

 

Did you disconnect the sway bar and trac bar?

 

I put spacers in last weekend. It was very easy as long as you get that spring compressor mentioned above. I put a deposit down and got it all back the same night. You won't need to mess with the sway or trac bars. Put the truck onjackstands placed under the fram rails as close to front as you can get them. One more important thing about the jackstands is make sure the are as tall as you can get them. If not you will have even more difficulty putting on the tires if you are going to a bigger set.Once you have everything in the air,remove your shocksand the tower first. With them removed you can use a jack and raise the front axle as you can on the side you are working on. With the axle up, put your spring compressorin and start to tighten it. Once tighten, you can lower the axle(all the way)and remove it. At this time you should measure the distance in between. This will give you an idea of how much more you will need to compress that sping ( keep in mind the size of the spacer). You can easily compress 2-3inches. Once it is compressed---- put it all back together and repeat on opposite side. RENT THESPRING COMPRESSOR..................... It is worth it!

 

When I installed my spacers, I just disconnected the sway bar and stuck a little bottle jack in between the axle tube and the frame. Pumped it up just a bit and it gave me the room I needed. No need to go to the store or get a sping compressor, worked like a charm

 

Disconnect the shocks, sway bar, track bar and then droop the axle. Jack up on the opposite side of the axle to the side that you want to install the spacer. This will force the axle to droop further on the side your working on, and allow you to install the spring and spacer (you may still need slight prybar pressure, but nothing heavy). Then repeat that on the other side.

You should not need spring compressors for a 3" spacer. Howver a quality set is less than $100.00 and a worthwhile investment if you are going to be into wheeling and lift kits which is why I have them. Using spring compressors makes the job sooooo much easier.

 

I did as nhlbill said except I didn't mess with the track bar. Just removed the sway bar after I bend the links, put foot on one side and the axle pivoted and installed the spring. The control arms have a lot of pressure from the rubber bushings and don't want to twist much, loosen the rear ones and then they can let the axle drop easier and settle into their new position.