Rear Spring Bolts sheared
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Covington, La
Rear Spring Bolts sheared
I purchase an 81 a few weeks back and notice a looseness in the rear end, today after furture inspection found two of the three bolts holding the rear spring to the differential carrier assembly are gone, the two after bolts on the bracket are sheared off and the 9 piece leaf spring leafs are all miss aligned, I'm assuming there is a center pin in the spring that is missing or broken.
Is this common? Can the leaf spring be salvaged? I have the original window sticker that says the car is equiped with Gymkhana Suspension.
My wife and I were driving a highway speed yesterday, I thank God this thing didn't come apart!
Just a heads up to double check you rear leaf spring connections. I didn't notice the problem until I removed the spare tire carrier.
Thanks for any advice.
Is this common? Can the leaf spring be salvaged? I have the original window sticker that says the car is equiped with Gymkhana Suspension.
My wife and I were driving a highway speed yesterday, I thank God this thing didn't come apart!
Just a heads up to double check you rear leaf spring connections. I didn't notice the problem until I removed the spare tire carrier.
Thanks for any advice.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
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From: walpole ma
you need to get a new differential cover.(get the heavy duty one.they arent very expensive)Then get a new bolt kit and finaly a new leaf spring!! The 9 leaf is the standard spring.The 7 leaf is the heavy duty.
It isnt that difficult to change if you are handy.If not have a reputable shop do it.
It isnt that difficult to change if you are handy.If not have a reputable shop do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
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From: Bay Area CA
With all the purchases / upgrades. with the exception that you may be able to salvage your rear cover IF it is Ok and the bolts just loosened up somehow, Everything else need replacement, and the rear cover if it or it's threads are dammaged.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
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From: Minnesota
I'm guessing you must already have a heavy duty cover since the stock housing is what normally breaks, not the bolts. On the other hand someone may have installed some inferior bolts at some point over the last 26 years too.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Covington, La
I don't know alot about the Gymkhana suspension, should the spring be composite type or is the 9 leaf spring the standard, like stated before, I have the build sheet and window sticker for the car and both call out the Gymkhana (FE7) option included.
Also the bolts are sheared off right at the differential carrier assm, the only thing left are a few threads of the bolts sticking out above the carrier. I'll going to coat it with a penetrant and try to drill it and use a easy out to back out the rest of the bolts.
Also the bolts are sheared off right at the differential carrier assm, the only thing left are a few threads of the bolts sticking out above the carrier. I'll going to coat it with a penetrant and try to drill it and use a easy out to back out the rest of the bolts.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I don't know alot about the Gymkhana suspension, should the spring be composite type or is the 9 leaf spring the standard, like stated before, I have the build sheet and window sticker for the car and both call out the Gymkhana (FE7) option included.
Also the bolts are sheared off right at the differential carrier assm, the only thing left are a few threads of the bolts sticking out above the carrier. I'll going to coat it with a penetrant and try to drill it and use a easy out to back out the rest of the bolts.
Also the bolts are sheared off right at the differential carrier assm, the only thing left are a few threads of the bolts sticking out above the carrier. I'll going to coat it with a penetrant and try to drill it and use a easy out to back out the rest of the bolts.
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Melting Slicks
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
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You are correct
81 was the first year for the composite spring on automatic cars
gymkhana 4 speeds still had leafs (or so my research has revealed on mine)
That rear end is the lighter duty aluminum one, so I don't know if you can use differential parts from mid 70's versions. research research research
81 was the first year for the composite spring on automatic cars
gymkhana 4 speeds still had leafs (or so my research has revealed on mine)
That rear end is the lighter duty aluminum one, so I don't know if you can use differential parts from mid 70's versions. research research research
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
If someone removed the spring and torqued it back down with the wheels off the ground the spring will be loose with the weight of the car on it. Always retorque the bolts after seting the car on its wheels.
I would try to find out if the car has original parts or correct replacements what is broken and then decide what way to go.
I would try to find out if the car has original parts or correct replacements what is broken and then decide what way to go.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Covington, La
So glad I found this site, thanks for all the expert advice (been there, done that advice).
I was under the weather yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to work on the car but tonight after work I plan on taking another look and coming up with a parts list, making an order tonight and get them express shipped by friday.
V-Twin, thanks for posting the picture of the differential support frame, the bolts are sheared at the bottom of the frame and protrude above the frame flange, I may be able to double nut the top part of the studs and draw them out the top of the frame, using a lot of liquid wrench first.
I'm suppose to have all the maintainance records, nothing showing a spring change, maybe someone thought the ride was to stiff and put the 9 leaf in? I'm trying to stay on budget, when I pull the spring down if the leafs show no cracks, can it be cleaned, painted and reused? Or do to fatigue it should be changed?
Thanks again
I was under the weather yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to work on the car but tonight after work I plan on taking another look and coming up with a parts list, making an order tonight and get them express shipped by friday.
V-Twin, thanks for posting the picture of the differential support frame, the bolts are sheared at the bottom of the frame and protrude above the frame flange, I may be able to double nut the top part of the studs and draw them out the top of the frame, using a lot of liquid wrench first.
I'm suppose to have all the maintainance records, nothing showing a spring change, maybe someone thought the ride was to stiff and put the 9 leaf in? I'm trying to stay on budget, when I pull the spring down if the leafs show no cracks, can it be cleaned, painted and reused? Or do to fatigue it should be changed?
Thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
So glad I found this site, thanks for all the expert advice (been there, done that advice).
I was under the weather yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to work on the car but tonight after work I plan on taking another look and coming up with a parts list, making an order tonight and get them express shipped by friday.
V-Twin, thanks for posting the picture of the differential support frame, the bolts are sheared at the bottom of the frame and protrude above the frame flange, I may be able to double nut the top part of the studs and draw them out the top of the frame, using a lot of liquid wrench first.
I'm suppose to have all the maintainance records, nothing showing a spring change, maybe someone thought the ride was to stiff and put the 9 leaf in? I'm trying to stay on budget, when I pull the spring down if the leafs show no cracks, can it be cleaned, painted and reused? Or do to fatigue it should be changed?
Thanks again
I was under the weather yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to work on the car but tonight after work I plan on taking another look and coming up with a parts list, making an order tonight and get them express shipped by friday.
V-Twin, thanks for posting the picture of the differential support frame, the bolts are sheared at the bottom of the frame and protrude above the frame flange, I may be able to double nut the top part of the studs and draw them out the top of the frame, using a lot of liquid wrench first.
I'm suppose to have all the maintainance records, nothing showing a spring change, maybe someone thought the ride was to stiff and put the 9 leaf in? I'm trying to stay on budget, when I pull the spring down if the leafs show no cracks, can it be cleaned, painted and reused? Or do to fatigue it should be changed?
Thanks again
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Covington, La
I just want to make sure I'm using the correct termonology, the picture shown by V-Twin is the "batwing", if so, it looks fine, I just need to remove the studs, I didn't see any cracks or other damage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Yes thats the bat wing and at swap meets they sell cheap. Must not be needed often. If your spring is not broken it can be restored with new liners between the springs. My guess is the spring was taken off and the bolts tightened with no weight on the wheels. The bolts were loose and then broke off.