Leaf Spring Removal/replacement
 

Hi Everyone,

I have been searching high and lof for a thread or video of this and have come up with nothing.

Background:

I am changing the gears in me rear end on my 68 newport 4 dr and am completely removing the rear end to do so as I do not have a lift to make life easier.

I decided that at the same time I would replace hardware and possibly the leaf springs themselves.

Problem:

I have the brake lines, drive shaft and front of the leaf springs free and have the plates off the rear where the leaf springs pivot( dont know the proper term) now I loosened the u bolts some with hopes to slide the rear of the leaf springs off and can not get them to move at all.

What am I missing? what do I need to do?

Thanks,

Gary

Not sure about your application, i dont have one so this is best guess , but the perches where they mount to the spring can be "keyed" to align the axle. Simply jack up the axle to knock it free.

you have to remove the u-bolts completely so sit on the deck and row baby row... i have a ratcheted breaker bar unless u got a 3/4 drive impact you got to do the whole job by hand
that word is shackles.

You should have an 8 3/4 rear. easy to work on. The spring hangers and hardware are probably rusted glued themselves together... Put the car up on jack stands!! Spray the brackets real good with PB Blaster Support the rear housing with a full size floor jack. Jack it up just enough to take the weight off the springs. UN bolt the hangers from the frame & shocks. You may need a large pry bar to get the spring shackles off. drop the whole mess down on the ground The rear end U bolts are a "B" Personally I would cut them with a cutting torch or a die grinder with a cutoff wheel. Replace them !! Other wise figure 3-4 hours working with a breaker bar. the nuts are a locking type with a friction lock
Now if you have a 500 ft lb impact it makes work a lot easier....

There is a special bolt called a "spring center bolt" that goes through the middle of the spring pack, and has a cylindrical head, resembling an allen head cap screw, which sticks up on top and aligns the rear axle on it's pads. You need to completely remove the U bolts

Yes cut the u bolts in the center of the "U" and twist them out of the way. They are not expensive at any spring or driveline shop and you will save yourself a huge amount of agony.

good call on cutting the u bolts. I cut them and everything else came out super easy.

Thanks Everyone!

interesting, i am going to change the leafs on my car. so what do you use to cut the U bolt? a hack saw?

A cutting torch is the quickest.. Next An air powered die grinder with a cutoff wheel. Without that ? You could use a drill with a grinding wheel Takes a little longer.. DO you have a air compressor ??? Harbor Freight sells grinders cheap here. If you have a similar store?

I usually try to save at least one u Bolt so when I go shopping for replacements I can compare.

Hacksaw works quite well as they are not that hard to cut and usually ping apart before you get to the axle housing. Other methods you have to watch to make sure you don't cut into the housing itself.

4 1/2 angle grinder with a cut off wheel works good if you dont have a compressor. A Good sharp hacksaw also works well if on a budget.