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Replacing rear springs?

Started by 1BAD68, October 11, 2007, 09:00:40 AM

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1BAD68

My new leaf springs are on the way and I'm wondering how much of a job it is to replace them?
Anything I should know before I start ripping it apart?
These come with all bushings

69chargeryeehaa

It's a perty easy job, just make sure you have new U-clamps and bolts, it's not reccommended to re-use them.  Also spray some penetrating oil on all the bolts a few days before you plan to do the job, that makes the job alot eaiser.  If your doing it in your garage, it's quite easy if you jack the car up in the rear so the rear wheels are just off the ground, by 1/4" or so, then put stands on the frame in the rear, unbolt the rear shackles, then the u-bolts from the diff, and then you can rest the springs on the ground and the wheels will sit on the ground, just block the wheels, leave everything connected (drive shaft, brake lines, ect....) then unbolt the front mount, and reverse the proceedure when installing them.  But i like to leave the ubolts last, first get the front mounts on the new springs, then the rear (using jacks to lift the new spring to the shackle) and then make sure the diff is sitting in the dowel on the springs, tighten the ubolts on the diff last making sure they are straight.  SHould go easy, and the way i described is easy to do in your garage.  Good luck :Twocents:  :cheers:

Back N Black

Quote from: 69chargeryeehaa on October 11, 2007, 09:21:11 AM
It's a perty easy job, just make sure you have new U-clamps and bolts, it's not reccommended to re-use them.  Also spray some penetrating oil on all the bolts a few days before you plan to do the job, that makes the job alot eaiser.  If your doing it in your garage, it's quite easy if you jack the car up in the rear so the rear wheels are just off the ground, by 1/4" or so, then put stands on the frame in the rear, unbolt the rear shackles, then the u-bolts from the diff, and then you can rest the springs on the ground and the wheels will sit on the ground, just block the wheels, leave everything connected (drive shaft, brake lines, ect....) then unbolt the front mount, and reverse the proceedure when installing them.  But i like to leave the ubolts last, first get the front mounts on the new springs, then the rear (using jacks to lift the new spring to the shackle) and then make sure the diff is sitting in the dowel on the springs, tighten the ubolts on the diff last making sure they are straight.  SHould go easy, and the way i described is easy to do in your garage.  Good luck :Twocents:  :cheers:

69chargeryeehaa, did you solve the leaning to the right problem?

69chargeryeehaa

Quote from: Back N Black on October 11, 2007, 10:07:54 AM
Quote from: 69chargeryeehaa on October 11, 2007, 09:21:11 AM
It's a perty easy job, just make sure you have new U-clamps and bolts, it's not reccommended to re-use them.  Also spray some penetrating oil on all the bolts a few days before you plan to do the job, that makes the job alot eaiser.  If your doing it in your garage, it's quite easy if you jack the car up in the rear so the rear wheels are just off the ground, by 1/4" or so, then put stands on the frame in the rear, unbolt the rear shackles, then the u-bolts from the diff, and then you can rest the springs on the ground and the wheels will sit on the ground, just block the wheels, leave everything connected (drive shaft, brake lines, ect....) then unbolt the front mount, and reverse the proceedure when installing them.  But i like to leave the ubolts last, first get the front mounts on the new springs, then the rear (using jacks to lift the new spring to the shackle) and then make sure the diff is sitting in the dowel on the springs, tighten the ubolts on the diff last making sure they are straight.  SHould go easy, and the way i described is easy to do in your garage.  Good luck :Twocents:  :cheers:

69chargeryeehaa, did you solve the leaning to the right problem?

actually it solved itself, the car is all original, 50mi, but when i drove it home with 1000lbs of stuff in the trunk 1200mi it made the rear sag, i oiled the pass front bushing and it came up on it's own, i think the rear eylet was seized a little on the bolt.  I have new springs, but now it's not a big rush to do since the car is about 1/4" instead of almost 2" lean.  But on my old charger i changed to the superstock springs, it was a perty easy swap as i described, but i really did'nt like the 2" height increase with the SS springs.   :2thumbs: :popcrn:

1BAD68

You probably wouldn't like my springs, they have an extra 3" of lift.
I'm going for a high and mighty look like this...

69chargeryeehaa

i like the retro look, just that's not what i was after!!!! plus the ride was too stiff, here's what they looked like on the car.:

i had to crank up the front torsion bars to make it look OK with the tire/rim combo i had, but it sat too high for my liking. :brickwall:

espically when i went with these rims:

Back N Black

Quote from: 69chargeryeehaa on October 11, 2007, 10:36:11 AM
i like the retro look, just that's not what i was after!!!! plus the ride was too stiff, here's what they looked like on the car.:

i had to crank up the front torsion bars to make it look OK with the tire/rim combo i had, but it sat too high for my liking. :brickwall:

espically when i went with these rims:



The orange car, did you buy it of a guy around the Smith falls area?

69chargeryeehaa

i bought it off a guy north of tweed, near northbrook, somewhere up there in the sticks. :2thumbs:

Ghoste

Isn't it all "sticks" once you're past Toronto?  :D :icon_smile_wink:

Rolling_Thunder

1968 Dodge Charger - 6.1L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.55 Sure Grip

2013 Dodge Challenger R/T - 5.7L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.73 Limited Slip

1964 Dodge Polara 500 - 440 / 4-speed / 3.91 Sure Grip

1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye - 340 / A-518 / 3.23 Sure Grip

69chargeryeehaa

Quote from: Rolling_Thunder on October 11, 2007, 08:36:49 PM
Quote from: Ghoste on October 11, 2007, 07:41:18 PM
Isn't it all "sticks" once you're past Toronto?  :D :icon_smile_wink:

ey??   :cheers:

That would be EH, EH!!!!! i'll let it slide this once eh. :icon_smile_blackeye: :smilielol: :lol: :D :popcrn:

Back N Black

I talked to the seller a couple of times on the phone about the car,i guess you beat me to it.

69chargeryeehaa

yes i did!!!  i was there sat morning with $cash$ and bought the car!!!   :nana:

Ranman69SE

Good purchase!  I especially like the backup light delete, looks much cleaner. :2thumbs:
'69 Charger SE 493
'65 Pontiac GTO 6.5 Liter Tripower 4-spd convertible
'78 Ford F250 4x4 SuperCab 460
'85 Yamaha FJ1100
'91 Yamaha FJ1200