Reinstall rear spring
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
I'll probably just drop it and double check the locator maybe clean it up. I just thought someone else might have noticed this while doing theirs. On my old back strugglin
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 14
From: Maine
There shouldn't be a gap Don't try to tighten it further to force it in you may break an ear on the cover. It should pull tight if you are replacing a spring with the same number of leaves as removed. The length of the bolt only matters if you had a 9 leaf and are installing a 7 leaf spring. You will need the shorter bolts. If you are replacing a 9 leaf with a 9 bolts should be fine. I suspect it's the center bolt. It may have been shipped with a generic one or the wrong size that needs to be replaced. Make sure it's currently aligned with the hole. If it is drop the spring and compare the height of the head and it's diameter to the one in the spring you removed. Also check the hole in the differential housing where it nests to make sure it's clean and free of damage. If you need a different bolt check the new one you get in the differential before installing it in the spring to make sure it fits. It's easier and lighter without the spring and will save some grief if it isn't correct
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,986
From: Connecticut, USA
The reason I asked is the spring does not appear to fit the cover correctly but I can't clearly see it. The 63-77 covers have flat surfaces where the spring bolts up and uses 9/16 bolts. The 78-79 springs changed and so did the covers. There is a cast in pad and the bolts were 7/16. Was the rear cover replaced?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I blew up your picture and ran it through a filter to lighten it up... it doesn't appear to be an original spring. The original Eaton springs would have been square on the edges with a flip up on the end. However, I don't think that is your issue either...
Possibly is the liner not trimmed enough and causing it to hit. When you install new liners you have to trim off the H section where the rear goes into the cover.
Also please note that you do not torque this while it's in the air... you snug the bolts... lower the car, roll it up and back and then tighten the bolts.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
That’s where I’m at Wilcox just snug. Those are same liners I found in there. Gary all I’ve done is swapped my u- joints out. Water Heater trumped the car.
Last edited by croaker; Sep 9, 2018 at 08:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I just took my spring off today (79') and as I loosened the 4 bolts the spring did just what you show in the picture. Gaps at the corners. As Wilcox said, when reinstalling it. snug them and tighten after it's on the ground.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'm confused then.. same liners and you didn't take the spring apart.... You might look and see if the liners are off set just a bit and possibly flip the spring 180.... I'm not sure.... but possibly whoever put the last spring in may have the liners tossed to one side and not the other. I hate the simple repairs that go haywire... We have one in our shop right now that is just mind boggling..... so you're not alone.
Ernie
Ernie
