Rear Spring Bolts not lining Up

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Apr 10, 2005 | 08:59 PM

72-LT1

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From: Royal Oak MI

Rear Spring Bolts not lining Up

Hey Guys,
I got the rear end, trailing arms and the new steel spring installed today. My only problem is the Spring bolts that connect to the trailing arms are not lining up. T/A's are all new from VanSteel, Steel spring and plate are new from Muskegon Brake.

I had the bolts and bushings in but the were at a really bad angle. They were angled to the rear of the car and none of the retainers or bushing would seat right. I have tried raising T/A but spring is toward rear of T/A bushing area.

I did not torque the spring plate and bolts down yet,or the trailing arms. The shocks, half shafts and strut rods are not on yet. so is there something I am missing as far as getting them lined up and set?

Thanks for the help.

Apr 10, 2005 | 09:20 PM

micks69

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 1,160

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From: Greensboro NC

I put all the other stuff on prior to the spring. It leaned toward the rear a little but when the weight of the car loaded it seemed fine.

Apr 10, 2005 | 10:35 PM

72-LT1

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From: Royal Oak MI

So I should put on the halfshafts and the strut rods before I load the spring into the trailing Arms? Is there someplace for a list to the oreder on installation?

Apr 11, 2005 | 08:18 AM

72-LT1

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From: Royal Oak MI

I did have the trailing arms up on jack stands, and the spring bolts and bushings were seated but still angled back, then when I realeased the jack on the trailing arm, it really released the bolt crooked and all the bushings did not line up. It was at such an angle that the bolt pulled up and the angle bent the retaining cap a little, I was even holding the bolt down with a big screwdriver.

Am I missing something here? The spring only goes on one way(except for upside down), I did have the spring plate upside down at first but I fixed that. Will it line up better with all the weight of the car on the ground?

I can't find any FAQ on the order of parts replacement. Will things line up better if I put the halfshafts and strut rods on before loading spring. I still don't see how any of this stuff moves for allingnment after they are all tied in together.

Please help with ideas, the rear and T/A's went on in about 2 hours yeaterday and I F***** with this spring for 4 hours.

Thanks

Last edited by 72-LT1; Apr 11, 2005 at 08:22 AM.

Apr 11, 2005 | 09:12 AM

kens 80

Racer

Joined: Dec 2004

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I went through the same problem on my 80. The t/a's went fine then the spring broke my b---s. Finally got them in and they are crooked untill weight goes on them.

Apr 11, 2005 | 09:24 AM

mandm1200

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: New Cumberland PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed T

use another jack, jack up the T arm to a near horizontal position, the spring bolts will fall right in.

This is how I also get the bolts is. Had the car on jack stands and I raised the TA with the jack and the bolts lined up with the holes in the spring. It wasn't a straight shot but enough for the bolt to fall in.

Apr 11, 2005 | 12:38 PM

72-LT1

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From: Royal Oak MI

Thanks, I guess I'll put the halfshafts and Struts on then hook the spring ends back up. Hopefully the bolts will straiten up when it gets on then ground.

Thanks for the help guys.