Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

[Brandon K.]

Hi... any ideas about how to install the rear spring in a midyear when doing a frame-off? The biggest problem is lack of weight of the car, which causes the whole frame to raise up w. jacking up of the spring. Help...

Brandon

[Gene M.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Brandon,

Easy,using a floor jack, chain the front axle of the jack to the differental frame member. Next attach vice grips or c-climp to spring above the jack which is nearer the end of the spring. Be sure to wrap the spring with card board prior to clamping it to prevent scratches. Now pump the jack against the clamp or vice grips and the chain will hold the frame down. Any further help needed e mail me.

[Gene M.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Brandon,

Easy,using a floor jack, chain the front axle of the jack to the differental frame member. Next attach vice grips or c-climp to spring above the jack which is nearer the end of the spring. Be sure to wrap the spring with card board prior to clamping it to prevent scratches. Now pump the jack against the clamp or vice grips and the chain will hold the frame down. Any further help needed e mail me.

[Mark L.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Several years ago Roy Sinor authored an article in the Restorer on this procedure. I used the procedure and found it very easy and straight forward. All that is involved is the purchase of threaded rod which can be obtained at your local hardware store. Check the index for the Restorer issue number. Good luck.

[Mark L.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Several years ago Roy Sinor authored an article in the Restorer on this procedure. I used the procedure and found it very easy and straight forward. All that is involved is the purchase of threaded rod which can be obtained at your local hardware store. Check the index for the Restorer issue number. Good luck.

[Wayne]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

I've used this method. As I recall, there are holes thru the frame rail just above the spring end on each side that roughly line up with the spring end. You can use a long threaded rod from the hardware store (use the biggest one that will fit) thru these holes and then thru the hole in the spring end, with appropriate heavy washers and nuts, and using a liberal ammount of chassis grease on the threaded rod.

Crank the spring end up with the top nut on the threaded rod, then place a C-clamp or two (on the spring) just a couple of inches inboard of the hole in the spring (to leave enough room for the spring-end mounting cushions and another inch) and tighten them securely. Use a chain looped over the swing axle or the frame differential crossmember (can't remember which I used, but I think the swing axle) and around the spring, routed between the spring hole and the C-clamps so that the C-clamps prevent the chain from sliding in/up toward the center. Secure the chain to itself with a nut and bolt to hold the spring up in the compressed position. I used rubber pads to keep the chain from scratching the paint.

Now you can gingerly release the threaded rod, remove it, and install the bolt, retainers, and grommets that secure the spring to the trailing arm, being very, very careful not to put yourself in a position to be injured if the spring somehow got loose (ie, don't lie under the spring, but work from arm's length). Finally, crank the outboard spring support bolt nut up to relieve the pressure on the chain and remove the chain and clamps, then readjust the spring support bolt nut and install the cotter pin. Do the other side the same way.

[Wayne]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

I've used this method. As I recall, there are holes thru the frame rail just above the spring end on each side that roughly line up with the spring end. You can use a long threaded rod from the hardware store (use the biggest one that will fit) thru these holes and then thru the hole in the spring end, with appropriate heavy washers and nuts, and using a liberal ammount of chassis grease on the threaded rod.

Crank the spring end up with the top nut on the threaded rod, then place a C-clamp or two (on the spring) just a couple of inches inboard of the hole in the spring (to leave enough room for the spring-end mounting cushions and another inch) and tighten them securely. Use a chain looped over the swing axle or the frame differential crossmember (can't remember which I used, but I think the swing axle) and around the spring, routed between the spring hole and the C-clamps so that the C-clamps prevent the chain from sliding in/up toward the center. Secure the chain to itself with a nut and bolt to hold the spring up in the compressed position. I used rubber pads to keep the chain from scratching the paint.

Now you can gingerly release the threaded rod, remove it, and install the bolt, retainers, and grommets that secure the spring to the trailing arm, being very, very careful not to put yourself in a position to be injured if the spring somehow got loose (ie, don't lie under the spring, but work from arm's length). Finally, crank the outboard spring support bolt nut up to relieve the pressure on the chain and remove the chain and clamps, then readjust the spring support bolt nut and install the cotter pin. Do the other side the same way.

[Brandon K.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Thanks for the help, everyone!

BK

[Brandon K.]

Re: Rear Spring Install- Frame Off

Thanks for the help, everyone!

BK