Re: Rear Spring Removal
The center bolt on the rear spring serves two purposes:
1. It holds the spring leafs together when the spring is originally assembled. Suppliers sell them longer than need be to facilitate the assembly process. It allows the nut to be used to draw the leafs together. The extra length is then cut off and the end of the bold peened over to keep the nut from coming off.
2. The square head of the bolt is used to center the spring in the center of the frame. The head fits into a square hole in the cross member. If the bolt head is not correctly inserted into the square hole when the spring is installed it is possible for the rear of the car to slide on the spring and for the car to be sitting somewhat crooked. It is also dangerous when turning a corner as that is when the rear will shift if you missed the hole.
Replacing the center bolt should be done very carefully as the rear spring can be lethal. The spring should be spread with a proper spring spreader, the shackle bolts removed, and the rear axle assembly dropped down. The spring spreader is then collapsed and removed from the spring. The spring is then no longer lethal and can be removed from the car by unbolting the U-bolt nuts. The center bolt can then be replaced.
It is never a good idea to remove the rear axle assembly with the spring still attached because it is a dangerous practice. However, people do it all the time.
The two attached articles should be able to guide anyone through the replacement of the center bolt in a safe manner.
Tom Endy
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