Need to move front spring across
 

Hi Guys,

I hesitantly presume we are mostly guys??

I have previously posted that it appears my front wheels are offset to the right by about 1"..
Someone advised me to loosen the spring u-bolt nuts and lift the body across until the spring falls into its locating hole..
i am struggling with this, especially single handed. I have loosened the nuts and have jacked the body up by the front bumper and tried to jump it across, it it isn't moving. I even had the wheels off the ground by the front bumper and wiggled them, but it isnt moving.. Is the a better idea? Or am i missing something??
All suggestions are gratefully accepted.

Thank you in advance

Steve

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

I would jack the car up and put jack stands under the frame. Loosen the u clamps enough that the spring axle combination is loose. Try to determined that the square nut on the bolt holding the spring together is oriented correctly. Then push pull the wheels etc. over to the center and tighten up the u clamps again. You may have to rock the axle some as you are tightening the clamps so the square head goes into its recess.

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Thank you.. That is exactly what i am trying to do.. But no result..

I am starting to wonder if the spring is located correctly and i have another reason for the offset..
i will climb under it and see if i can see the bolt head in the hole..

Thanks

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

I have again jacked it up by the bumper and looking through the spokes of the wheel I can come to two conclusions.
1) loosening the u-bolt nuts to the ends of the thread was not enough because the spring is still touching the crossmember and not floating loose..

2) Because the spring is still flush with the crossmember I would guess the bolt head is in its pilot hole..

So I have to come up with another reason my wheels are offset..

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

I would not assume anything. Take the nuts off the u-bolts and pry the spring down
until you can see whats going on, make sure the bolt is not broken and the head is in
the cross member hole.


Bob

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

How about a bent frame? Over the last 90 years maybe someone hit the left front and bent the frame to the right??

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

broken spring center pin

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

An accumulation of hardened grease and road dust over the years can leave the spring locked in the cross member. Mine was stuck firmly and it too a fair bit of effort to lever it out.

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Can you do some measuring to see if the spring is actually off center. If it is off center you may have to take the shackles out to separate the spring from the axle. Then you can maneuver the spring easier and see what is going on. To be on the safe side I would put the front on jack stands. Don't trust a jack under the bumper.

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

You may have to loosen the wish bone mount at the bell housing

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

If it is locked in there that tight, needs a good cleaning anyway. Would be a good time to clean and lube the spring leafs. Bumper jack sounds like a great way to get really hurt. Get the frame sitting some "GOOD" jack stands, not those cheesy cheap style.

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Loosen off the spring mount U clamp & bottom plate which also holds the crank handle mount. You just need to swivel the crank mount out & see if spring bolt is seated in crossmember hole. Sounds like you have a bent frame which is common, rather than an off centre spring. Let us know what you find. Cheers

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Thank you all for the sound advice. I will get out there sometime over the next couple of days and with completely remove the u-bolt nuts and bottom plate. Then lift the body clear of the mount enough to inspect the bolt head and make sure its in the pilot hole.
I will report back in couple of days.

Steve

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

I found it!!

I took off the bottom u-bolt plate and the nut still threaded to part of the bolt came with it..
I removed the spring pack and found the centre bolt was broken into three..

It appears the bottom spring leaf with the eyes was no longer held by the centre bolt and slid across in the pack!!
i am going hunting for a new centre bolt today.

Thank you for all your advice with this.

Steve

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Order the proper bolt with the square head, from the vendors.

Re: Need to move front spring across
 

Congrats! The satisfaction that goes with solving a tough problem makes up for the frustration experienced along the way.