Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET2003EXPRESS 1/2 TON VAN V6-4.3L VIN XREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISSTEERING AND SUSPENSIONSUSPENSIONSUSPENSION SPRING ( COIL / LEAF )SERVICE AND REPAIRFRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT
2003 Chevrolet Express 1/2 Ton Van V6-4.3L VIN X
Front Coil Spring Replacement
2003 Chevrolet Express 1/2 Ton Van V6-4.3L VIN XSECTION Front Coil Spring Replacement
Front Coil Springs Replacement
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.
3. Remove the shock absorber.
4. Remove the front stabilizer shaft link.
5. Support the lower control arm near the lower ball joint with a suitable safety jack
Important: After installing the OTC 7045-B and before compressing the coil spring, ensure the retaining pin is thoroughly seated in the slot of the upper plate. Failure to do so may deform the pin and make the removal of the tool from the coil spring difficult.
6. Install OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent to the coil spring through the hole in the lower control arm.
7. Compress the front coil spring using OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent and remove all tension from the lower control arm.
8. Remove the lower control arm pivot bolt retaining nuts and washers.
9. Remove the rear pivot bolt
10. Remove the front pivot bolt.
11. Lower the lower control arm and remove the coil spring and insulator.
12. Remove the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent from the coil spring.
13. Remove the coil spring insulator from the coil spring.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the coil spring insulator to the coil spring.
2. Install the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent to the coil spring and compress the coil spring.
Important: The flat end of the coil spring and the upper insulator goes up into the shock tower and the pointed end of the coil spring goes on the lower control arm. Align coil spring so that end of the coil spring is seated in the pocket in the lower control arm.
3. Install the coil spring and insulator to the lower control arm.
4. Raise the lower control arm into position and place a suitable safety jack under the lower control arm rear leg near the bushing.
5. Install the rear pivot bolt.
6. Install the front pivot bolt.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
7. Install the lower control arm pivot bolt retaining nuts and washers.
- Tighten the nuts to 145 Nm (107 ft. lbs.).
8. Remove the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent from the coil spring.
9. Lower and remove the safety jacks.
10. Install the front stabilizer shaft link.
11. Install the shock absorber.
12. Install the tire and wheel.
13. Lower the vehicle.
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.
3. Remove the shock absorber.
4. Remove the front stabilizer shaft link.
5. Support the lower control arm near the lower ball joint with a suitable safety jack
Important: After installing the OTC 7045-B and before compressing the coil spring, ensure the retaining pin is thoroughly seated in the slot of the upper plate. Failure to do so may deform the pin and make the removal of the tool from the coil spring difficult.
6. Install OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent to the coil spring through the hole in the lower control arm.
7. Compress the front coil spring using OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent and remove all tension from the lower control arm.
8. Remove the lower control arm pivot bolt retaining nuts and washers.
9. Remove the rear pivot bolt
10. Remove the front pivot bolt.
11. Lower the lower control arm and remove the coil spring and insulator.
12. Remove the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent from the coil spring.
13. Remove the coil spring insulator from the coil spring.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the coil spring insulator to the coil spring.
2. Install the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent to the coil spring and compress the coil spring.
Important: The flat end of the coil spring and the upper insulator goes up into the shock tower and the pointed end of the coil spring goes on the lower control arm. Align coil spring so that end of the coil spring is seated in the pocket in the lower control arm.
3. Install the coil spring and insulator to the lower control arm.
4. Raise the lower control arm into position and place a suitable safety jack under the lower control arm rear leg near the bushing.
5. Install the rear pivot bolt.
6. Install the front pivot bolt.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
7. Install the lower control arm pivot bolt retaining nuts and washers.
- Tighten the nuts to 145 Nm (107 ft. lbs.).
8. Remove the OTC 7045-B coil spring compressor tool or equivalent from the coil spring.
9. Lower and remove the safety jacks.
10. Install the front stabilizer shaft link.
11. Install the shock absorber.
12. Install the tire and wheel.
13. Lower the vehicle.
RENDER: 1.0x
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.