Is a Rear Spring Compressor Needed?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Is a Rear Spring Compressor Needed?
Hopefully someone has done this before.
I need to replace a failing U joint on the left rear halfshaft. The shop manual refers to a leaf spring compressor. I could not find a reference to this on any of the other threads here on lowering the car, swapping springs, etc. Is this part needed, or is there a better way to do this? I'll need to swing out the rear wheel/hub/bearing carrier to remove the halfshaft, and the spring needs to be disconnect to do this...Any ideas?
I need to replace a failing U joint on the left rear halfshaft. The shop manual refers to a leaf spring compressor. I could not find a reference to this on any of the other threads here on lowering the car, swapping springs, etc. Is this part needed, or is there a better way to do this? I'll need to swing out the rear wheel/hub/bearing carrier to remove the halfshaft, and the spring needs to be disconnect to do this...Any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I used a bottle jack to put pressure on spring - vice-grip on long stud & take nut off (mark or measure where the nut is on the bolt). Not much of a problem if you are only taking one side off.
Do a search - you do not have to take that much off to pop the half shaft out.
Do a search - you do not have to take that much off to pop the half shaft out.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
You can use a floor jack to raise the end of the spring enough to take the load off the bolt so you can remove it.
The proper tool would be safer for both you and the spring, but I doubt anybody has used that tool outside of the chevy dealer.
The proper tool would be safer for both you and the spring, but I doubt anybody has used that tool outside of the chevy dealer.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I have dropped the rear spring with a floor jack just fine.
tension the rear spring at the very end, or, just inboard of the bolt, just enough to release the bolt. then, remove the bolt and lower the jack. Done. Repeat for the other side.
This is very easy and VERY SAFE.
tension the rear spring at the very end, or, just inboard of the bolt, just enough to release the bolt. then, remove the bolt and lower the jack. Done. Repeat for the other side.
This is very easy and VERY SAFE.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by bogus
I have dropped the rear spring with a floor jack just fine.
tension the rear spring at the very end, or, just inboard of the bolt, just enough to release the bolt. then, remove the bolt and lower the jack. Done. Repeat for the other side.
This is very easy and VERY SAFE.
tension the rear spring at the very end, or, just inboard of the bolt, just enough to release the bolt. then, remove the bolt and lower the jack. Done. Repeat for the other side.
This is very easy and VERY SAFE.
This procedure is easier than it looks! I use a block of wood on top of the jack and I lift the spring on the metal spring end plate.
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by aboatguy
This procedure is easier than it looks! I use a block of wood on top of the jack and I lift the spring on the metal spring end plate.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
When I did mine, I didn't do any of the above. I just loosened the nut on the long bolt and when the nut got near the end of the bolt, the tension was off if the nut. The bolt is long enough, on my car, to release the spring tension
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
When I did mine, I didn't do any of the above. I just loosened the nut on the long bolt and when the nut got near the end of the bolt, the tension was off if the nut. The bolt is long enough, on my car, to release the spring tension
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by aboatguy
I use a block of wood on top of the jack and
I lift the spring on the metal spring end plate.
I lift the spring on the metal spring end plate.
Lifting elsewhere along the spring where the composite material
could be marked may lead to premature delamination & failure.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
This is important advice.
Lifting elsewhere along the spring where the composite material
could be marked may lead to premature delamination & failure.
.
Lifting elsewhere along the spring where the composite material
could be marked may lead to premature delamination & failure.
.
Yep, floor jack on the metal plate at the end of the spring has always worked for me
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Kalama WA
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
When I did mine, I didn't do any of the above. I just loosened the nut on the long bolt and when the nut got near the end of the bolt, the tension was off if the nut. The bolt is long enough, on my car, to release the spring tension
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
I just did the ujoint/ halfshaft drill. No need to compress spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
When I did mine, I didn't do any of the above. I just loosened the nut on the long bolt and when the nut got near the end of the bolt, the tension was off if the nut. The bolt is long enough, on my car, to release the spring tension
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
even with very long bolts there is a so much preload ... Ask to my friend when the end of the spring slammed directly on his hand... He was luky and reported only a minimal problem on the hand...
The spring I'm installing now (a Vettebrake one) is pretty orizonthal.
-Beppe-
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
When I did mine, I didn't do any of the above. I just loosened the nut on the long bolt and when the nut got near the end of the bolt, the tension was off if the nut. The bolt is long enough, on my car, to release the spring tension
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
But, with the shocks in place, I don't see mine being done that way.
Tom Piper
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
My shocks were connected. I was doing the half shaft u joints. Also, I disconnected the camber rods at the knuckle, so that I wouldn't have to mark, and hope and pray, that I was able to accurately duplicate the camber adjustment.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!