removing original rear spring
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
removing original rear spring
I recently received new shocks and a 330 lb rear monospring from VB&P. Put the '72 up on jack stands last night and went to it. Pulled the old shocks out and the new bilsteins in and then started on the spring. Had to cut the bolts on the ends out because even after soaking for a week they wouldn't budge. Cutting wheel solved this problem, besides the new spring came with new 8" bolts and new cushions too. After both sides of the spring were released I removed the four bolts holding the middle of the spring to the differential housing and then thought it would just slide right out.... wrong. Am I missing something here? Six (6) bolts in total removed: one on each end and four in the middle and it should be loose. Any suggestions? I thought maybe it was just stuck to the diff housing after being on there 40 years so with everything unbolted I put the jack under the left end of the spring and jacked it up and then did the same to the right but it didn't seem to break it loose. AIM and service manual don't show any other way it should be connected. Any ideas?
thanks ,
Sully
thanks ,
Sully
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
The center spring bolt fits into a hole in the diff cover in order to center the spring. It's a tight fit. I would spray the area between the diff cover and the spring with some PB blaster a few times, then a few short blasts on one side of the joint with an impact hammer. Not too much or you might crack the diff cover. If that doesn't work, a little heat would be my next try. Be careful, you don't want to crack the diff cover. There is nothing but rust holding the 2 parts together.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
The center spring bolt fits into a hole in the diff cover in order to center the spring. It's a tight fit. I would spray the area between the diff cover and the spring with some PB blaster a few times, then a few short blasts on one side of the joint with an impact hammer. Not too much or you might crack the diff cover. If that doesn't work, a little heat would be my next try. Be careful, you don't want to crack the diff cover. There is nothing but rust holding the 2 parts together.
Make sure you inspect the diff cover carefully for cracks on the ears when you get this thing un-stuck.
