rear 9 leaf spring assembly woes
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rear 9 leaf spring assembly woes
Restored my leaf spring and got it together but not sure it is good. Seems hard to keep the leaves aligned while compressing with a C-clamp enough to get the bolt/not through middle. I used C clamp on one side and Irwin wood clamp on the other. Should I tighten this up more as it looks like the four mounting bolts won't have enough threads to get into the diff? Or when I put a jack under it will that compress the spring enough to start them?
And it seems like the leaves are not stacked well per the picture with the square. Seems they are catywompus a bit?
It's tough to get it all together straight and square without messing up the finish. Is my best bet to take it apart and start over using 2 C clamps?
And it seems like the leaves are not stacked well per the picture with the square. Seems they are catywompus a bit?
It's tough to get it all together straight and square without messing up the finish. Is my best bet to take it apart and start over using 2 C clamps?
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
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That does not look correct, the bolts should have more threads showing.and no gap where the spring touches the bottom plate.
Try to compress the spring with a C clamp on both sides of the center bolt.
The spring should be resting flat on the bottom plate.
When installing the spring, install the 4 bolts to the differential just a little more than finger tight.
Then install the spring end bolts so that the spring is very flat.
If you do not get the spring flat and try to tighten the diff bolts you take the risk of cracking the diff cover.
Try to compress the spring with a C clamp on both sides of the center bolt.
The spring should be resting flat on the bottom plate.
When installing the spring, install the 4 bolts to the differential just a little more than finger tight.
Then install the spring end bolts so that the spring is very flat.
If you do not get the spring flat and try to tighten the diff bolts you take the risk of cracking the diff cover.
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That does not look correct, the bolts should have more threads showing.and no gap where the spring touches the bottom plate.
Try to compress the spring with a C clamp on both sides of the center bolt.
The spring should be resting flat on the bottom plate.
When installing the spring, install the 4 bolts to the differential just a little more than finger tight.
Then install the spring end bolts so that the spring is very flat.
If you do not get the spring flat and try to tighten the diff bolts you take the risk of cracking the diff cover.
Try to compress the spring with a C clamp on both sides of the center bolt.
The spring should be resting flat on the bottom plate.
When installing the spring, install the 4 bolts to the differential just a little more than finger tight.
Then install the spring end bolts so that the spring is very flat.
If you do not get the spring flat and try to tighten the diff bolts you take the risk of cracking the diff cover.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Apple Valley, MN
Before you do any assembly, clean the threads of the bolts and the differential cover thoroughly and be sure the bolts thread in easily.
Locate and position a stout chunk of metal that spans the plate longitudinally while allowing for access to the bolt heads. Position the spring against the cover and run straps or some rope or chain around the half shafts and the spring for safety purposes. Carefully jack against the metal piece to load the plate so the spring will flatten, allowing the bolts to be started into the cover.
Once you have at least a couple turns of engagement on all four bolts you can jack under the spring ends and attach to the trailing arms.
Do NOT torque the bolts until you have full weight on wheels.
Locate and position a stout chunk of metal that spans the plate longitudinally while allowing for access to the bolt heads. Position the spring against the cover and run straps or some rope or chain around the half shafts and the spring for safety purposes. Carefully jack against the metal piece to load the plate so the spring will flatten, allowing the bolts to be started into the cover.
Once you have at least a couple turns of engagement on all four bolts you can jack under the spring ends and attach to the trailing arms.
Do NOT torque the bolts until you have full weight on wheels.
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Is this the original spring? Or a replacement. If so, it is not unusual to have to buy new mounting bolts, they sell them in different lengths. You want enough thread engagement but not so much that you can’t fully seat them.
when I swapped my 9 leaf for 7 leaf I had to buy 1/4 longer bolts because the 7 leaf was 1/4” thicker than the 9.
when I swapped my 9 leaf for 7 leaf I had to buy 1/4 longer bolts because the 7 leaf was 1/4” thicker than the 9.
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Thread Starter
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Is this the original spring? Or a replacement. If so, it is not unusual to have to buy new mounting bolts, they sell them in different lengths. You want enough thread engagement but not so much that you can’t fully seat them.
when I swapped my 9 leaf for 7 leaf I had to buy 1/4 longer bolts because the 7 leaf was 1/4” thicker than the 9.
when I swapped my 9 leaf for 7 leaf I had to buy 1/4 longer bolts because the 7 leaf was 1/4” thicker than the 9.
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