rear spring replacement on a 73
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi cc,
The spring has a tremendous amount of tension on it.
This needs to be off-set so the trailing arm bolt can be removed.
Many people use a floor jack to push the end of the spring up until the bolt is released.
Often a block of wood is clamped to the spring with a large c-clamp to prevent the jack from siding towards the center of the spring as it's jacked.
After the first time it's pretty easy, but you do need to continue to be careful. There's a lot of force in that spring!
Here's a picture. It's a little more involved with the body off because you need to compensate for the body's weight.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The spring has a tremendous amount of tension on it.
This needs to be off-set so the trailing arm bolt can be removed.
Many people use a floor jack to push the end of the spring up until the bolt is released.
Often a block of wood is clamped to the spring with a large c-clamp to prevent the jack from siding towards the center of the spring as it's jacked.
After the first time it's pretty easy, but you do need to continue to be careful. There's a lot of force in that spring!
Here's a picture. It's a little more involved with the body off because you need to compensate for the body's weight.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Hi cc,
The spring has a tremendous amount of tension on it.
This needs to be off-set so the trailing arm bolt can be removed.
Many people use a floor jack to push the end of the spring up until the bolt is released.
Often a block of wood is clamped to the spring with a large c-clamp to prevent the jack from siding towards the center of the spring as it's jacked.
After the first time it's pretty easy, but you do need to continue to be careful. There's a lot of force in that spring!
Here's a picture. It's a little more involved with the body off because you need to compensate for the body's weight.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The spring has a tremendous amount of tension on it.
This needs to be off-set so the trailing arm bolt can be removed.
Many people use a floor jack to push the end of the spring up until the bolt is released.
Often a block of wood is clamped to the spring with a large c-clamp to prevent the jack from siding towards the center of the spring as it's jacked.
After the first time it's pretty easy, but you do need to continue to be careful. There's a lot of force in that spring!
Here's a picture. It's a little more involved with the body off because you need to compensate for the body's weight.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Also, on re-assembly, don't forget that you don't want to torque the spring mount bolts to final spec (70lbs IIRC) until the weight of the car is on the spring. The rear bosses or ears on the diff cover can crack
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
That is correct for a steel spring. He did not say what the replacement is but if a composite, it will be 40-45 ft-lb. The instructions will advise.
