I have removed the rear spring from my 1965 coupe and need to know the compressed height prion to installation. The manual says to compress the spring prior to installing, but does not give a height. I cannot get in back while in its free state. Can anyone help me on this?
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Re: Mid year rear spring installation
Carl----
You do not need to compress the rear leaf spring prior to installation. The procedure is pretty well outlined in the GM Service Manual, but I'll synopsize it:
1-Install spring in mounting area below differential cover; install retainer plate and 4 bolts. Do not tighten or torque the bolts yet. Just install them as far as you can by hand. This should be at least several threads.
2-Place a c-clamp on one end of the bottom leaf, about 8" from the end of the spring.
3-Place a floor jack between the spring end cup and the c-clamp.
4-Jack up the spring just enough so you install the spring end bolt, including retainers and cushions. Install the nut on the bottom of the bolt and thread it by hand all the way to the end of the threads.
5-Slowly release the jack
6-Do the other side in the exact same manner
7-With the weight of the car on the spring and the spring thus "de-arched", torque the 4 retainer plate bolts to specs.
That's all there is to itIn Appreciation of John Hinckley
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