Just checking for my safety

[rockfla]

I got a front spring completely removed from the car and the spring spreader removed......I know I need to C-Clamp the leaves on each side of the center top bolt to remove it and separate the springs....should/do I need to use c-clamps each leaf on each side?? put a piece of angle on the leaf ends and C-Clamp that to the spring??? Asking BEFORE I screw anything up, mainly me!!!!!

[Duke]

I put a c clamp on both sides of center with the openings on opposite sides. I loosen one clamp a little then the other. I find the front spring easier to deal with than the rear. I use two large, quality clamps.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by duke

i put a c clamp on both sides of center with the openings on opposite sides. I loosen one clamp a little then the other. I find the front spring easier to deal with than the rear. I use two large, quality clamps.

x-2

[DavidG]

Robert,


Front springs aren't that much inclined to want to significantly straighten when the center bolt is removed, so instead of using the C-clamps on the spring leaves themselves, use big enough C-clamps to completely enclose the leaves of the spring on each side at about equidistant from the center to the spring eye. Then use one big C-Clamp to encase the spring next to the center bolt. That way you've safely captured the leaves when you slowly remove the center bolt followed by loosening that center C-clamp and relieve the tension in the assembled spring. It's a safer process than just using clamps on some of the leaves, which can slip with unintended consequences.

[rockfla]

Thank you Duke, TJ and always to my rescue DavidG. Sounds like NO stitches for me this weekend!!!

[Planojc]

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Good idea on using c clamps to enclose the leaves, I always wrapped a chain around them, but using c clamps is easier.

[19Fordy]

Here's my 40 set up years ago when I was replacing the axle and spring.
I realize you didn't remove your entire axle and steering assembly but, the idea is similar.

I found that the rear spring could be taken apart safely leaf by leaf once it was removed from the car and also removed the spring spreader from the spring so as to release tension.

After tension was released and the spring was relaxed, I removed the spring center bolt and easily removed each leaf.

In the photo shown, I only removed the rear end assembly because I needed to work on the U-joint and needed to slide the rear end back from under the car. Otherwise,I would have left rear end in place and used the same procedure to remove and separate the leaf spring. I had done that many years before when I refurbished the spring.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Here's my 40 set up years ago when I was replacing the axle and spring.

[19Fordy]

Thank you.

[Mart]

You could put the spring vertically in a decent sized vise. Undo the bolt, put a long philips type screwdriver through the hole and release the vise.

Mart.

[Pete]

How about removing the nut on the center bolt while the car is sitting with full weight on the spring, then raise the body with a chain hoist or bumper jack. The spring comes apart easily then with no violence.

[Angledrive]

I remove the center bolt and install a long piece of threaded rod with lock nut on one end.
You can figure out the rest.

[Model51]

For the big truck rear springs which are massive and with lots of tension, I used 4 woodwoking bar clamps, two on each side. I tightened all four down, then removed the center bolt. Then turned each clamp 1/2 turn in rotation. The bars kept the leaves stacked together. Once the 3-4 inches of thread ran out, I loosened one enough to re-adjust the space between the ends of the clamp and put it back on. Did this in turn for the other three clamps. Then started again at 1/2 turn per clamp until the springs were all loose and the pile sort of fell apart. I reversed the process but used a long bolt in the center hole to keep them all in alignment then when fully together, replace the bolt with the correct one, installed the nut and it all came out fine. Hope my explanation makes sense.