Broken rear spring

[Art B.]

I just received a call from my brother who is stranded with a broken rear spring on his 73. As he exited the interstate the right link either lost the nut or broke and the spring has dropped to the pavement and bent the end. Never having changed the transverse spring we are wondering if it can be done in his parking garage with a good socket set and floor/bottle jacks? Before I start my research I thought there might be someone out there who could provide a quick answer. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Broken rear spring

Sure, if you get it up high enough to get the spring out and put the jack under the end of the spring.

[Art B.]

Re: Broken rear spring

Thanks Wayne. We are trying to locate the replacement locally and will probably give it a shot if the part is available. If not, I see a flatbed in our future. Thanks again.

[Michael W.]

Re: Broken rear spring

See if he has lost only the link bolt and if the end of the #1 leaf (the long one) is still intact. If so you might get away with replacing just the link bolt assembly then drive the car (slowly) to a location with a proper hoist to do a complete repair.

I wouldn't go under any car not supported on good quality stands, never trust a jack.

[Art B.]

Re: Broken rear spring

Thanks for the comments Michael. From his description the main leaf bent at least 90 degrees right in the middle of the hole at the end and we can't get a bolt through it. We have a torch and considered heating it to straighten it but we are concerned about the integrity of the spring end after heating. If we can get the spring locally we will probably just try to replace it in the parking garage. Good point about the jack stands, we will be certain to use them. Thanks again for your help.

[Steve L.]

Re: Broken rear spring

The big leaf spring may also be broken under the clamp under the differential. My 73 had this spring broken for a long time, but the clamp held it together by some miracle.

I didn't see it until I took the whole spring out and the main leaf just fell apart. I could see that it was broken for a long time since the jagged break was rusted and worn.