I have been kicking something around but need a bit of advice.

How hard is it to take your leaf springs off the back? Last time my car was painted by a PO...they managed to get over spray on my leaf springs. I was thinking of taking them off to clean them up some.

The rubber bushing deals also look to be in less than perfect shape and I am thinking I could replace those while I am at it.

The leaf springs appear to simply bolt off / bolt on.

Is there any tricks or hazards to watch out for when taking the springs off and then putting them back on?

Also wondering how much tension is on them if the car is just sitting. Any danger associated with taking them off?

If these are "stupid" questions I apologize but I have honestly never dealt with these and any tips, tricks or cautions would be really appreciated.

 

It's easy if the fasteners are not corroded and fused. Basically, four nuts on the u-bolts, one shock nut, and two spring retaining bolts, one on each end. Now repeat the other side and you are all set. The way I usually approach this is to jack up the car and place jack stands under the frame (or use a lift if you are really fortunate). Remove the lower shock nut and the four u-bolt nuts on each side. Now you can remove the retaining plate. Place the jack under the pumpkin and raise it slighly to just clear the springs and then brace it securely on both ends (another set of jack stands works) so it can't move. I do not remove the wheels or driveshaft, but removing the wheels will give you a little more working room. Drop the front of the spring first (there is now no tension on the spring and it will come right out assuming your bolts are not corroded - a very common problem). Remove the rear bolt and then the shackle. Doing it in this order allows you to use the car to hold the bolts as you remove the nuts. The bushings on the spring eyes can be a real pain to remove. Take a 1/4" drill bit and drill through the bushing from the side in 4 or 5 places and you can then push the remainder out pretty easily.

Good luck, the biggest PITA is frozen or corroded bolts.

 

Thanks for the advice.

How I just need to decide if it is worth it to replace only the bushings and clean up the rest or just say to hell with it and buy new leaf springs.

On the plus, I guess if I felt like cleaning up my existing springs I could paint them to match my exhaust that I need to get around to putting on, but not sure if that color would look good or if I should go for maybe a different color such as black.

Don't much feel like paying for new ones right now but going to kick that one around some. Might be nice to upgrade to the five leaf springs?

 

I might be doing this in the coming months. I'm assuming some penetrating oil and an impact wrench would be enough for the nasty bolts?

 

I've found a little heat, let it cool slightly and then soak it overnight with PB Blaster is your best bet. An impact wrench is even better as it will sometimes snap the nut right off and you can drive the remains of the bolt out. On my 1970 Mustang convertible, the damn bolts were literaly "welded" to the metal sleeves inside the bushings. It was real pain to remove!

 

I bought the 4 1/2" springs based on advise from this forum. Have yet to put them on. I need to buy shocks next week then they can go on.

 

That's when you wish you have a Plasma Torch. Mmmm...one of these day's.