Ok, I'm trying to install my front coil spring spacers. I am using the following directions from the archive on this site:

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050103/feature_wheelers_spacers.htm

I've made it step #7 without too much trouble, but now I'm stuck. I cant figure out what this clip is. I removed the 6 12mm bolts and removed the cover, which exposed what I'm guessing is the cv shaft(im horrible with parts terminology), but I cant figure out how to get the shaft out.

ANy other suggested tips or possible other ways to do it would be greatly appreciated.

 

 on the drivers side the  shaft is held on with bolts . passenger side  shaft has a pop ring on the end of the shaft  that hold it into the 3rd member . "no bolts "
 what you do is carefully  slip a long flat head  screw driver between the shaft and the 3rd member housing   then carefully pry. the shaft  will pop  out .
 it will suddenly just pop and come right out . going back in  you align it up , slide it into the 3rd  and then take a rubber mallet or block of wood and  just give her a good POP . she will go right in

ok, got the cv shaft clip out,and the cv shaft is now free. However my spring will not drop far enough to remove it. I think I have disconnected everything in the step by step guide. Are there any other parts that they may have not mentioned that I need to remove?? Thanks

is the sway bar connected?

lol. not sure i even know what that is... the guide didn't mention or show a pic of that to my notice.

the sway bar is a long u-shaped piece of steel tubing that goes across the front of the truck and is attached in four places:

Two places on either end of the base of the "U" across the front of the frame.

The ends are attached to the top of the suspension a-arms on either side with a nut and a bushing.  If you do not diconnect  the sway bar where it attaches to the a-arm, the a-arm will not drop low enough.

 or you just go down to auto zone and  use their free tool rental .
 get a coil spring compressor . compress the spring and remove it 

thanks for the info ack!

and captchee, which will be easier... disconnect the sway bar? or use the spring compressor? The one I got from autozone for the rear springs was a strut compressor, and it worked great for the rear coils. But since this guide didn't mention it, and it seemed to be hard to get it into some of the tight angles, I just assumed I wasn't supposed to use it for the front.

thanks guys

 
 well  from the sounds of it , you shouldnt have an issue getting a spring compressor into  there as it should be all apart ..
 but if you take the sway arm off  thats not an issue .. im trying to think here ?/ seems like i had to drop the  tie rod  so the A arm would drop low enough .
 

I couldn't get a spriong compressor to fit on the front springs. I just disconnect the strut, swaybar, brake and CV shaft. The spring should be pretty lose then so if it a stock spring you can just pull it out, a lift spring usually needs a little very gentle levering with a pry bar.

Got it! sway bar released it just fine. Thanks guys!

Final question... the existing rubber piece that sits on top of the spring... do i need to remove it, or leave it and put the spacer against it?

I usually pull the isolator off and put it underneath the spacer.

Just finished!! THanks guys for all your help!