36 Rear Spring Removal

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Stretch Cab

Well my friends, I finally got time today to remove the spring and deliver the rear to the sand blaster. Following the advice of removing one side at a time, not sure how I could have done both, I was able to remove the spring without killing myself.

I will be very honest with you that when the shackle came off and the spring moved it about gave me a heart attack! My shop has a wood floor and the thud was very loud. I'm sure I will need a spreader to get it back together.

Thanks for all the help!

Stretch Cab, I'm very happy to hear you got this done safely, considering some of the instructions given here by a couple members were just plain poor advice.

[cas3]

Well, since I sorta behave like a savage, the first thing I do when dealing with a spring on a rear end is wrap a chain around it loosely, sorta wind it , like a barber pole, no need to even hook the ends, just wrap it along the whole length, then cut the center bolt off with the torch. It will just sorta go poof. No big explosion, no heart attack, then as suggested by jseary in post 19, clean it all up and re assemble as he states in post 19

[mercman from oz]

Australian "Litchfield" Spring Spreader for Fords.

[mercman from oz]

Notice the Chart in the Lid that tells you what "combinations" to use for what vehicle.

[CA Victoria]

I read that your goal was to have it sandblasted. The grease & goo inside the tubes is tough to clean out, even the center section is a booger too, it will trap sand/media if not cleaned well. Use an all thread rod and sandwich 2 chore boy type metal Pod scrubbers onto the end to throughly scrub the inside, I like zep industrial purple degreaser...... you can drive out the outer axle oil seals with a 1/2 drive socket and ext. from the wheel side.

[cas3]

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And... while its apart look to see if the ends of the leafs have worn into the next leaf below. If so, round off the ends with a flap disk, and round out the impression on the spring below too. Lots of opinions on what to " lube it up ' on re assembly, I'll stay out of that

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by cas3

And.... Lots of opinions on what to " lube it up ' on re assembly, I'll stay out of that

Grease would not be the best option.

[Rodrelic]

First rear I re-furnished, had center to tube bolts so rusty I replaced them with regular NF bolts. I found out they were an oddball thread so that one had to stay as is when finished. From now on I save originals, to avoid spoiling the threads. I made a spring spreader with roll around tubing and the top of an adjustable beam post, not great but did the job a few times

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Rodrelic

First rear I re-furnished, had center to tube bolts so rusty I replaced them with regular NF bolts. I found out they were an oddball thread so that one had to stay as is when finished. From now on I save originals, to avoid spoiling the threads.

Those bolts are specifically SIZED so as to aid in prevention of leaking rear end lube. You also DO NOT ever want to run a TAP through those threaded holes. DD

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