Installing new leaf spring mounts.

[MxRacer855]

Hey guys,
I'm in the process of putting the Hotchkis "TVS" system and Strange Dana 60 rear end on my car right now. I'm trying to beef'n up and stiffen everything. The bottom of my car is in great shape everywhere except the mounts that hold the rear part of the leaf springs (more specifically the driver's side one). It's a little rusted out and just looks sketchy. AMD sells a kit of all four (both front and rear) for just over $300.

If everything is already off (suspension, rear end, tank, etc.), how big of a job is it to cut those old ones out and install new ones. I'm pretty sure I can get someone out to my place to do the welding/plasma cutting, I just don't know if it's a big deal or not. Oh, and while I'm at it, would this be the best time to replace the full trunk floor? I don't really have the cash for that though currently and am most concerned about those mounts.

Thanks
Jeff

[Mike DC]

 
If the leaf spring shackle mounts are the only thing rusted, it would be a first.  Look harder at the rest of the undercarriage and the body on the car.  You will probably find more to deal with.

[MxRacer855]

Hey Mike, good point. A lot of it has already been rebuilt and replaced. The people who had it before me didn't replace everything at once, just the bad stuff. This would have definitely been next. So with that being said... that's where this question comes into play.

Jeff

[Dino]

Definitely do all the metal work at once if it's an option.  You don't want to go through this crap twice!

[MxRacer855]

I agree. Get it all done at once!
Is that a fairly simple task though for someone who is experienced at installing that? Trunk floor and Leaf spring mounts?

Jeff

[Canadian1968]

I am currently doing this exact job.

Replacing trunk floor and both rear spring perch. As well as both frame rails !!!

Is it a big job? Bottome line , yes it is.  If your floor needs to be replaced , then with out a doubt do everythng at once.  If you only tried to do the perch, I think it would acutally be a harder job. The perch is spot welded to the floor I really dont' think you could removed it with out destroying the floor above. In which case you would have to patch and then install the perches.

Take measurement of exact postion of each perch. More so that postion of the monuting hole, for the shackle. Do one side at a time.

As I said, I am also replacing both rails ,so I  removed the entire rail and perch in once piece. trying to seperate the perch from the rail is not a fun job!!  Drill out your spot welds and then hammer and chisle the metal apart, easier said than done !!

I will post some pictures soon of my project

[MxRacer855]

Thank you Canadian1968!

My floor definitely needs to be replaced as well, so I plan on doing the entire job at once. Bam, DONE! I would absolutely love to see pictures along the way and of the finished product if you're up for it! I'll post a few of what it currently looks like. It makes me super angry, lol. I might try to do the frame rails too just to get it all done and NEVER have to do it again. Definitely a project that worries me and that I'm not looking forward to but want done as soon as possible! Very stressful.

Jeff

[green69rt]

I recently replaced the pass side rear leaf spring mount.  Actually not too bad.  You'll need a new mount (from AMD) plus a half floor to cut a patch out of.  From underneath you can cut most of the mount off and then a small (12" x 12" approx.) hole in the trunk floor.  Hard to explain but just lay under the car and look and think!!!  I took about 10 hours total time to cut the old mount out and put the new one in, then a little time to patch the floor.

Replacing the complete trunk floor is another beast, the bumper braces, spare tire mounts will need to be replaced.  Then you may get into the floor extensions and the inner wheel wells, gas tank brace and the shock cross member.  Things tend to grow.  If you can get away with just replacing section of the floor that is probably best.

[MxRacer855]

I agree 100%. Unfortunately (as mentioned), I found some more things. I can see light through the trunk floor, so I'm going to have to at least replace that as well. 1 thing just turned into 10, but it will be worth it when it's finished... eventually! I'm doing it as fast as possible though (the right way).

Jeff

[green69rt]

A trunk floor is a good place to practice the skills needed in other places.   Boo boos can always be covered up with a little undercoating, etc.   Doesn't have to be pretty but it does need to be solid.

[green69rt]

Just thought of something.  If most of the perch is solid you might think of putting on leaf spring sliders and skip replacing the compete mount.   The floor may still need some work but at least you won't be cutting around the frame.   Someone on this site might have info on where to get them.

[MxRacer855]

I honestly don't thing that the driver's side rear perch is solid enough to "work with". I really have no idea why that area is so bad relative to the rest of the car. Good advice on learning to start with the trunk. This would be my first experience replacing anything body related, even though I wouldn't be doing the work (I don't even have the required tools/materials to complete the job).
I've never heard of "sliders" before though... I would love any additional information anyone has on them so I could research and entertain the idea!

Thank you!

Jeff

[green69rt]

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/lespsl.html

[MxRacer855]

Thanks Green69RT! So they literally just bolt into the trunk pan/frame rail, replacing the old one(s)?


Jeff

[green69rt]

Thanks Green69RT! So they literally just bolt into the trunk pan/frame rail, replacing the old one(s)?


Jeff

I think they bolt/weld on the bottom of the old perch, that's why I think most of the metal on the existing perch needs to be pretty fair condition or can be repaired to support the slider.   Adding strength to the existing crappy perch might be easier that replacing the whole thing plus patching the floor.  you would still want to make sure the slider keeps the spring alignment correct.

[MxRacer855]

There's so much to think about before I make a decision. The current finance situation unfortunately plays a role as well. I would really prefer to the job the right way and just replace the trunk floor, and both mounts (braces and anything else involved as well). I just want to make sure that all of the body work on the car is done at one time so I don't have to keep repainting things.

I think what I'm going to do is rebuild everything on the car before I get to the body/frame. I know that sounds a little out of order, but it makes the most sense at this point. Get the brakes, build the trans, motor, interior, suspension, etc., then once everything is good, pull it all to rebuild the unibody 100%. Then put all of the good parts back on. that's not the way I would have originally preferred to do it, but that way makes the most sense at this point.

Jeff

[green69rt]

There's so much to think about before I make a decision. The current finance situation unfortunately plays a role as well. I would really prefer to the job the right way and just replace the trunk floor, and both mounts (braces and anything else involved as well). I just want to make sure that all of the body work on the car is done at one time so I don't have to keep repainting things.

I think what I'm going to do is rebuild everything on the car before I get to the body/frame. I know that sounds a little out of order, but it makes the most sense at this point. Get the brakes, build the trans, motor, interior, suspension, etc., then once everything is good, pull it all to rebuild the unibody 100%. Then put all of the good parts back on. that's not the way I would have originally preferred to do it, but that way makes the most sense at this point.

Jeff

Actually, not a bad idea to have everything ready and working correctly before putting it into a finished body.  Is the car running now?   Keeping the car on it's wheels makes it easier to move it around, even if you have to push it. 

[MxRacer855]

It will be when the rear end that's ordered comes in. I'm going to drive it this summer with everything rebuilt and hopefully pull it all again to do the body/frame in a few years.