Help removing front leaf spring bolt

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Nov 16, 2009 | 05:05 PM

#11

LynnBob Mustang

Thread Starter

5th Gear Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,243

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2+2GT

I know pros who do tough ones this way. With a good cutoff wheel it takes about 15 minutes. I'd never use a torch for any part of this job, I've heard too many stories about soundproofing and interiors being set on fire.

At least mine is a empty shell, so that "shouldn't" be a problem.
I just realized when it was mentioned above that I did cut off the spring and I should be able to use my Sawzall now because I couldn't get the angle because of the spring before.
I did not realize there was a metal bushing inside the rubber bushing.
I'll give it a try tomorrow again.
Thanks for all the replies!
Lynn

Nov 16, 2009 | 05:15 PM

#12

orange88

1st Gear Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 98

From: NY

Yeah the metal sleeve inside the rubber bushing had rusted to the bolt, so that was why mine was such a pain. No amount of PB Blaster was undoing that!

Nov 16, 2009 | 05:24 PM

#13

Oxnard Montalvo

4th Gear Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,188

From: 1984

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleanor_350

I cut the bolt by slipping a hacksaw blade between the spring eye and frame bracket on both sides of the spring. I cut the bolt on both sides and the spring came right out. I wasn't worried about getting the rest of the bolt out of the spring eye because I was replacing the springs anyway. I just wore gloves and used a bare hacksaw blade (no handle). It took forever working in such tight quarters and making such short strokes with the saw, but it worked.

You cut that POS out BY HAND?

You're my hero.

If I'm ever in jail I want you as a cellmate. My wife will bake us a cake.

Nov 17, 2009 | 12:16 PM

#14

eleanor_350

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxnard Montalvo

You cut that POS out BY HAND?

You're my hero.

If I'm ever in jail I want you as a cellmate. My wife will bake us a cake.

You do what you gotta do I guess. It's all I had at the time that would work. That was ten years ago when I was a broke college kid trying to build a car on a limited budget. Now I'm a broke parent still trying to build cars. Glad to know I'm a hero in someone's eyes though :-) My wife just rolls her eyes when I share my small victories in the garage with her.

I love your car by the way. A friend of mine has a 66 GT fastback that color that's very original. I think the fuel pump is the only thing on the car that's not original and it's only been repainted once back in the early 80's. Still very presentable for a 25+ year old paint job. I have a 66 GT fastback (factory red on red) waiting for restoration. It's currently a basketcase. I'll get to it one of these days. I'm sure I'll be digging up this thread when it comes time to remove the springs on it.