Rear Spring Bolt
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Rear Spring Bolt
On a 79 with stock steel spring and original spring bolts, figured it was about time to replace the rubber and bolts. I know technically they shouldn't however, before I lay into my 2 foot long cheater bar, has anyone every sheered off one of these trying to take them off? Just need to know if I should take out extra life insurance before I really give a harder tug. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
Which bolts are you talking about ? The ones on the ends of the spring, just clamp a C clamp close to the ends and use a floor jack under the clamp to release tension,, remove the bolt. (the C clamp will give the jack stability. No need for extra insurance..lolll
The nuts should not be tight, they are regular castle nuts with a cotter pin.
The nuts should not be tight, they are regular castle nuts with a cotter pin.
Last edited by Michel B; Apr 7, 2006 at 08:38 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: McDonough Georgia
I just rebuilt my rear suspension,replaced spring,bushings,ect.ect. I replaced the bolts with 8 inch bolts from ecklers and lowered it about two inches.It looks good.I Had to cut one of my bolts due to bubba using the wrong nuts and wrong bolt for that matter.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 23
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
I just redid my rear end on a 78, also completely redid my rear steel spring as well. I just used a jack to lift the ends of the spring to relieve tension, then used a 2' breaker bar to undue the bolts - had no real issues.
When I took the leaves apart of the steel spring, it's held by a single bolt. I put a c-clamp on it and then undid the bolt. Loosening the C-Clamp allowed me to relieve tension on the spring nice and easy.
Putting it all back together, I was now more concerned that I didn't damage any finish paint. I put a couple pieces of thin wood on the outside of the springs as I put the leaves together.
When I mounted it back on to the car, I put some wood between the spring and the jack so as not to damage the finish as well.
Based on your life insurance comments, it sounds like you're worried about issues that a front coil spring might have. This is different, and nothing even close to being as severe.
When I took the leaves apart of the steel spring, it's held by a single bolt. I put a c-clamp on it and then undid the bolt. Loosening the C-Clamp allowed me to relieve tension on the spring nice and easy.
Putting it all back together, I was now more concerned that I didn't damage any finish paint. I put a couple pieces of thin wood on the outside of the springs as I put the leaves together.
When I mounted it back on to the car, I put some wood between the spring and the jack so as not to damage the finish as well.
Based on your life insurance comments, it sounds like you're worried about issues that a front coil spring might have. This is different, and nothing even close to being as severe.
