Just started trying to take my rear springs out. I got the nuts off on the front bolt but cant get the bolt out. On one side I got it to turn alittle. I was just wondering if I should just cut them on either side of the spring? whats the easiest? Also, how does the axles come out? it is a ford 8" rear. do you just take the 4 nuts out that are on the backing plate? Thanks alot!

 

The front bolts are rusted in. You have to use a sawzall (reciprocating saw) to cut the bolt on both the inside areas. Here is a pic of mine after I got it out. And, once you get the leaf springs off, the only other thing holding the rear on the car is the drive shaft.

 

i hope you disconnected the driveshaft first

 

You don't have to take the drive shaft off to change the leaf springs, but you do if you want to change out the differential.

 

Try beating the bolt out first. It will be much easier if it will come out. Go to the sawsall if that fails. it will take a while with the saw.

 

ohh i thought he wanted to drop the axle

 

You can beat that sucker with a BFH until the cows come home, but it will not come out unless you cut the bolt at both ends. Some guys have used a cutting torch to get it out, but that generally screws up the mounting hardware. The Sawzall method is the cleanest and most effective way to do it.

 

Once in awhile they will come out by beating on them. It's worth a shot but don't waste a lot of time on it. You will know pretty quick if it wont come out.

 

The problem is you can't get a good straight smack on it with a BFH. You gotta hit it at an angle. If you could get straight on it these things would never be an issue but as any one who has done these will tell you "it sucks 99% of the time" 1% is still worth a shot

 

Yeah, been there done that. But you may as well give it a shot though, but don't waste all your energy on that method. You will need more muscle energy reserved for the sawzall method.