66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Installation

[Fred Y.]

I had my rear leaf springs media blasted & now prior to painting I wanted to remove the old spring cushion retainers, re plate & replace later after painting. Id appreciate best methods you guys have used for removal & re install.

Thanks
Fred

[Fred Y.]

66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I had my rear leaf springs media blasted & now prior to painting I wanted to remove the old spring cushion retainers, re plate & replace later after painting. Id appreciate best methods you guys have used for removal & re install.

Thanks
Fred

[Duke W.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I had my rear leaf springs media blasted & now prior to painting I wanted to remove the old spring cushion retainers, re plate & replace later after painting. Id appreciate best methods you guys have used for removal & re install. Thanks Fred

Are you talking about the spring leaf liners or the four rubber spring link cushions? It sound like all is already removed and disassembled if you've had the spring leaves media blasted.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I had my rear leaf springs media blasted & now prior to painting I wanted to remove the old spring cushion retainers, re plate & replace later after painting. Id appreciate best methods you guys have used for removal & re install.

Thanks
Fred

Fred------


I don't think there's any way you're going to be able to reuse the retainers if you remove them. However, you may not need to remove them if yours don't suffer from damage, corrosion-induced or otherwise. You don't need to re-plate as these retainers were not plated in the first place. They were just natural steel and quickly rust. If the retainers are OK, you can just clean then up with a brass wire wheel on a drill.

If you do need to replace, keep in mind that the L1967+ retainers, which also SERVICE earlier, are configured a bit differently than the originals used earlier.

[Fred Y.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Duke & Joe,
Yes I meant the steel cushion retainers at the end of ea leaf spring. Well yes , they are both in good shape however I just figured I would remove the old ones & replace with 2 new ones I just picked up. Cleaning behind these shorter ones could be done but with my Dremel or something small. These are the smaller 63-66 late shorter retainers. Just for kicks, I was curious how those were pressed in. I was thinking something like a 1" round ball bearing to get that complete tight press fit-------

[Stephen L.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I used a ball peen hammer with another to strike the peen hammer to flare the cushion retainer

[Larry M.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I used a ball peen hammer with another to strike the peen hammer to flare the cushion retainer

I agree..........that will work. However, I suggest the OP contact Gary Beaupre (NCRS member on this board) and see if he still has the install tool that he manufactured. He has loaned it out to many of us over the years, including myself. It works very nice. Gary is also a source for the correct retainers.

I would start by sending him a PM (private message).

Larry

[Gary B.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I had my rear leaf springs media blasted & now prior to painting I wanted to remove the old spring cushion retainers, re plate & replace later after painting. Id appreciate best methods you guys have used for removal & re install.

Thanks
Fred

Fred,

I still have the swage tool. Check your e-mail for details.

Gary

[Fred Y.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Sounds good Stephen & Larry. Either would certainly work. I'm taking this slow & I have spoken with Gary before, so I could contact him as well.
Thanks to all----

[Gary J.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Corvette Central and Quanta sells the tool if you want to buy one.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

I've used the tool from Quanta tool it works well but when you crimp the cushion cups on they may crack the crimp as it peens it over the leaf spring
make sure you buy the shallow type of retainers that was for 1966

also buy extra sets to have for spares if something goes wrong

[Larry M.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Corvette Central and Quanta sells the tool if you want to buy one.

They may owe Gary royalities.............as I believe he was the first to make/offer this tool.

Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Fred, Easiest removal method I use is to use a sharp chisel at the small swedged end and just cut inward until free.

To replace, I use a hydraulic press and a few differently sized 1/2" drive impact sockets. They have a bevel on the socket end and a nice flat on the drive end. Start small then work your way larger until you can get the ring to splay out, then finish off with a flat bar.

[Fred Y.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Thanks to all . I had Gary make some keys for me last Spring, but forgot he has these retainers as well. I have spoken with him & will borrow his tool. I wonder how many miles that tool has made across the USA ??

[Fred Y.]

Re: 66 Spring Cushion Retainer--Removal & Instalation

Thanks for the pics Rich. Here is my original mine. Mind you I have an early 67 build date so the retainers are still the thinner 63-66 profile.