Removing spring/disassemble: *PICTURES*

[BashawT]

Just posting to help someone in the future

[BudP]

Appreciate the pictures: have never seen this done although I suppose it's on utube. Periodic posting on cleaning, lubricating and putting them back together would also be informative. Thanks.

[BashawT]

Originally Posted by BudP

Appreciate the pictures: have never seen this done although I suppose it's on utube. Periodic posting on cleaning, lubricating and putting them back together would also be informative. Thanks.

Will do! I tried looking on youtube myself but found nothing. I took a short video while doing the rear spring and a full video of front spring ( fronts a lot easier ). I'll post a link when I upload them

[bogdonj]

Nice to see it done with pictures.. how does the ends clamp to the spring at the bottom?

[BashawT]

Originally Posted by bogdonj

Nice to see it done with pictures.. how does the ends clamp to the spring at the bottom?

The spring clips keep the lower springs tight

[Bruce Adams]

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The "blade" fits into the shackle bushing "holder", but I also suggest the compression tool be shock corded to the spring to help prevent any slipping when setting it up on a "working" car.

Originally Posted by BashawT

The spring clips keep the lower springs tight

[LukeDahlinger]

I always wrap a log chain around both ends of the spring so no nasty surprises happen if by chance a clamp comes loose.

Probably overkill, but I saw a friend of mine loose a few teeth from not properly securing a spring before taking it apart.

[BashawT]

Originally Posted by LukeDahlinger

I always wrap a log chain around both ends of the spring so no nasty surprises happen if by chance a clamp comes loose.

Probably overkill, but I saw a friend of mine loose a few teeth from not properly securing a spring before taking it apart.

Can never be too safe. It's really hard to understand how dangerous this job is until you do it.

[Glenn C.]

I think a person should release the pressure from the spreader before removing the spring from the crossmember.

[Tom Endy]

Originally Posted by Glenn C.

I think a person should release the pressure from the spreader before removing the spring from the crossmember.

I agree:

As an added safety feature, whenever I remove a rear axle assembly from a car I spread the spring and remove the shackles as they did. With the rear axle assembly removed from the car I collapse the spring and remove the spring spreader while it is still attached to the frame. The spring is then non-lethal as very little tension is left. The spring can then be removed from the frame and disassembled safely without the need for C-clamps or chains.

When the spring is rebuilt, reinstall it in the frame then attach the spring spreader and crank it out to a distance to accept the rear axle assembly when it is rebuilt and ready to back in the car.

Tom Endy

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would at least loosen the 4 large U-bolt nuts several turns before removing the spreader. This will take some pressure off those nuts.

[Richard Wilson]

I like to wrap the rear spring with a 12 foot long nylon tow strap when removing from the frame. I did have a very rusted rear spring center bolt break one time and the spring pack "exploded" with leaves going all over the garage. You only have to have it happen once in person to make you very cautious around the rear spring.

[CarlG]

OK, I'm in the process of installing an OD, and have the rear end removed with the spring intact. Am I hearing here that I should use a spring spreader and remove the spring from the rear end whilst working on the torque tube / drive shaft?

[Great Lakes Greg]

Thats a great question CarlG. I have seen a lot of rear ends out of cars with the spring still in the shackles. Seems like a bomb ready to blow.

[Tom Endy]

The safest method would have been to use the spring spreader to remove the rear axle assembly while leaving the spring and the spreader under the car until ready to re-install the rear axle assembly along with the overdrive.

However, since you have it out with the spring still attached think of it as a loaded shot gun with the safety off sitting around. If the head of that rusted 80 year old center bolt pops off you will have spring leaves launched 20 feet in the air.

Unless you are going to rebuild the differential or the spring itself your best option now is to leave the spring attached. There is no safety reason to remove it. I would wrap a chain around the spring and the rear axle assembly, Some C-clamps on the spring itself would be added protection. Best not to be leaning over it while you are doing this.

Tom Endy

[kenparker]

A different tool for the assembly/disassembly of a spring. Works on front and rear. built from 4 1 ft long x 1/2" pieces of allthread. 8 1/2" coarse thread nuts. bunch of washers. 2 spring hangers that go under the rear springs and 2 straps that hold the "Spring Hangers" together.

[HoarseWhisperer]

Would this work?:

[Peter J]

Guys,
Really appreciate the show and tell. So much better to see the op. as well as read hw to do it. I'm rebuilding my rear end at the moment but spring was left on the car with the spreader still attached. Sure respect the tension that puppy is under though. Thanks!
Pete