1960 Leaf Springs

[Al E.]

Anyone ever had to cut the springs off because the bolts were frozen? I have no other way to get these off I have used WD40, BP Blaster, spit, and a 25 inch breaker bar.. and it wont move. I was about to remove 2 bolts but then the others started to round off and this was after it broke my socket..

[Jim L.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Al, before you give up and resort to violence, try using an impact wrench on those bolts. More than once, I've succeeded with an impact wrench on bolts/nuts that were frozen to the point that simple,, leveraged wrenching was going to break something. I dunno why it works, only that it has done so for me.

Jim

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Jim makes a good point. I spent years toying with breaker bars and stubborn bolts. Once I got a quality (the key here is "quality") impact gun, the bolts started coming off with ease.

Which bolts are you working on, the forward or the rear?

Pictures help also.

Tom

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Which bolts are you working on, the forward or the rear?

Pictures help also.

Tom

All of them.. I will provide photos later on tonight if I can get under there to show.

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Al, before you give up and resort to violence, try using an impact wrench on those bolts. More than once, I've succeeded with an impact wrench on bolts/nuts that were frozen to the point that simple,, leveraged wrenching was going to break something. I dunno why it works, only that it has done so for me.

Jim

What type of impact are you using? I have 1 that is 350-400 ft lbs. .. and nothing .. it just go bang bang bang

[Jim L.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

What type of impact are you using? I have 1 that is 350-400 ft lbs. .. and nothing .. it just go bang bang bang

My impact wrench is a weenie 1/2" job that probably develops no more than 150 ft-lbs. when on its highest setting.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

if you've rounded the heads on the rear shakle nuts +/or the front perch nuts, take a torch to the rear shakles(they are readily available). if the front bolt's nut is rounded, remove the 4 bolts per side that attach the perch to the frame bracket(these 4 bolts typically shear off when torque applied). now you can take the leaf spring assembly to the workbench and , with a cut-off gringing wheel on an air grinder, slip the cut-off wheel between the perch and the main leaf of the spring to cut the bolt. perchs are available from paragon as is the perch bolt. don't destroy the main leaf of the spring as its nealy unobtainable. good luck,mike

[Gary C.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Al,

Much better penetrating oil available to use. Kroil from www.kanolabs.com and Torq CBII from www.kimballmidwest.com Dr. Mike told us about Torq CBII.

Gary
....

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Gary,

My main issue is with the center U-bolts.. a few of the nuts I have rounded off, the others just want budge.. I have used Kroil.. it works on everything.. just not this.

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Al,

The center ones are the easiest. Just cut the bolts. I used a cut off tool (sometimes referred to as a wizzer tool) to cut through the u-bolt on either side of the axle housing. Go slow so you don't cut into the housing once you get through the bolt. Wear some eye protection and have at it!

Tom

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

if you've rounded the heads on the rear shakle nuts +/or the front perch nuts, take a torch to the rear shakles(they are readily available). if the front bolt's nut is rounded, remove the 4 bolts per side that attach the perch to the frame bracket(these 4 bolts typically shear off when torque applied). now you can take the leaf spring assembly to the workbench and , with a cut-off gringing wheel on an air grinder, slip the cut-off wheel between the perch and the main leaf of the spring to cut the bolt. perchs are available from paragon as is the perch bolt. don't destroy the main leaf of the spring as its nealy unobtainable. good luck,mike

Mike,

only issue is that the rear shackles are homemade from some space aged metal that is hard as .. the guy before had new shackles made in the 70's and they are a pain to get off.

[Terry D.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

A good torch set will cut anything on a car, just be careful

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Well...I never used a tourch before so I better stay away..I dont think it will have a positive out come

[Terry D.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

Then how about a sawsall with a metal cutting blade?

[Al E.]

Re: 1960 Leaf Springs

I would but I dont want that sucker to slip or you may find me back on here seeking a rear tail panel.
I am going to try the ziz wheel. I will post photos tomorrow.