Topic: removing rear leaf springs

[johnskull]

Hi Guys,
I am doing a compleate restoration on my 1967 Mustang Coup. My question is How do you get the front bolt out off the leaf spring in the front? I took the rear bolt out but I can't get the front bolt out. I can turn it with a wrench I think it is pressed in but how can I get it out. I can't get to the bolt to hit it with a hammer either.  The rear end is out completly.
Thanks, John

[Soaring]

Yeah, the problem with these old classics is that the front bolt on the rear leaf springs are rusted.  The only way to get that bolt off is to cut it off on both ends  of the bolt.  I used a reciprocal saw with about 5 blades to get it off, but others have used cutting torches.  The bottom line is that it has be  be  cut out. 

[66GTKFB]

There's supposed to be a nut on the outside of the frame rail. With that off and a free turning bolt, a pry bar usually works. I sometimes have to resort to a 3/4 inch drive socket with a slider bar and chunk of pipe as an extender to break the nut free.
Jim

[Soaring]

Jim, there's no problem getting the nut off.  That's not the problem.  The bolt itself is basically welded to the spring and there isn't room under there to knock it out.  The bolt is not free turning.  Again, the bolt has to be cut at both ends.    Been there, done that.   

[johnskull]

Thanks guys for all your information. I will be out there tomorrow and I will get her done! best  of luck with all your cars and car prodjects.
John

[66GTKFB]

Hi Guys,
I am doing a compleate restoration on my 1967 Mustang Coup. My question is How do you get the front bolt out off the leaf spring in the front? I took the rear bolt out but I can't get the front bolt out.

I can turn it with a wrench I think it is pressed in but how can I get it out.

I can't get to the bolt to hit it with a hammer either.  The rear end is out completly.
Thanks, John

Cutting the head off will still leave a free spinning bolt with nothing to grab on. If you cut the head off and pound the remnants thru, be prepared to cut the other end of the bolt at least twice. Use a BIG hammer and make sure the body has more than jack stands holding it up.
Jim

[Soaring]

I guess I should have been clearer. You cut the bolt on the inside of the hanger.  It is hard work, but if you have a good sawzall and about 5 or 6 tungsten blades, it will take about an hour.  Be sure the car is up on 6 jack stands.  Take the shackle  and differential loose from the spring before cutting. 

[keiken01]

I was able to use a combination of a 7 inch and 4.5 inch cutting wheel to get these off my '68 coupe... just like Soaring said... cutting on the inside and being careful not to cut into the floor of my car.  One side of the bolt is really easy and only took like 3 minutes but the other is much more of a pain and took like 15 minutes.  Sawzall would be easier on clearance but I didn't have to go through a bunch of blades.  Of course I didn't care about keeping my leaf springs either as I was replacing them, so they got cut up some also.

[Soaring]

Yeah, at the time I replaced mine, I didn't have an air powered cutting wheel, and that may have been the better way to go, so I just used my recip.  It was nasty work, but after about an hour and a half, the job was done.