This is a follow up to a thread I started a few days ago. I had a problem lowering the front passenger side because of the 10mm bolt that's head was totaly rounded off. I have spent the past few days SOAKING the bolt with PB Blaster. I user 2/3 of the can. So today I went and picked up a set of Vice Grip bolt removers. They are basicaly sockets with cutting groves that bite into a rounded, painted, rusted, etc.... bolt. Well they bite in pretty good but I still could not get the bolt to move.
After another hour of F'ing with this thing I was ready to give up but stuborn me tried one more time and finally it turned

I was happy as a pig in Sh$%. until I realized that the pressed bushing in the leaf spring was turning

So now I am basicaly F'ed! I am not worried about driving it. The bottom of the bushing has a big lip so the bushing can't possibly push through the spring but now I need to get a new leaf spring in order to lower the car

Well I guess it could have been worse, but a little advice to anyone trying to lower and running into the same situation, you may want to reconsider.

So, anyone know where I should look to get a new leaf spring.

 

It sucks that you had so many problems, you can try a junk yard for the leaf spring or you can try Gene's Car Shop (sp??). I have heard he is a good source for corvette parts. Helped someone out with a swaybar bracket..

Chris

 

You don't need a new leaf spring! The good news is that the metal bushing turns with the bolt because it can now be removed. First the lower ball joint on the lower a-arm must be separated from the steering knuckle; don't use a pickle fork because it will ruin the ball joint rubber boot and they are not sold without the a-arm. Check out a parts store to buy or rent the correct tool for this. Once the a-arm is free from the steering knuckle it is free to be moved down. Place a 2x4 or other spacer between the a-arm and spring so that there is room to remove the metal bushing. Tap the bolt/ metal bushing down until it falls out. After you have the metal bushing/bolt out of the car then put the bushing in a vice and heat it red hot with a torch then unscrew what's left of the bolt. I believe Hardbar sells replacement bolts. Clean the metal bushing of all rust and grease; clean out the threads if you have the right size tap. Clean the hole in the spring with a solvent such as alcohol to remove all the oil that was sprayed on. Use a strong epoxy glue and glue the metal bushing back into the spring, (a piece of tape over the bolt hole will keep any glue away from the threads) let it cure for a day. Place a new bolt in the metal bushing and reassemble the ball joint, etc. I had the same situation on my car two years ago and the above procedure worked great. On some cars the bolt is seized so well to the metal bushing that there is no way it can be unscrewed on the car.

 

Sorry about your problems.

I am replacing my base springs (F55 suspension) with Z06 springs...hopefully in 10 days. I was going to keep them but would sell to you if it would help. Otherwise you could by at cost from Fred Beans.

 

I dont know if you did this but if you take the springs load off the a arm the ride height screw stop will turn a whole lot better. I pulled my shock out and the lower a arm dropped enough to take most of the load off it. If you need a new spring contact for take off parts. http://www.mallettcars.com/4_sale/ta..._off_parts.htm

 

Yup, everything was done as it should have been, I just got stuck with a very rusted bolt. I have an idea how to take care of this real easy. I will let everyone know how I make out. I am going to chevy tomorrow to get a new bolt.

 

Hate to tell you this but they don't sell that spring bolt separately. They only come with new leaf springs. Contact Gene at Kar Shop for a used one or Hardbar for a better than new alternative.

Best of luck.

 

Actually you can get one at www.hardbar.net

 

I am going to get the hardbar ones. Expensive though! I can't believe the price of the rear bolts

 

Check Tractor Supply for Grade 8 bolts. They may have the right length and they've got to be cheaper than those