Rear leaf spring

[80spit]

I must be crazy to do this, but I plan to replce my rear spring.

Has anyone replaced one.

The parts are not rusted but I am trying not to get caught waiting to order other parts.

In addition to the spring what other parts should I have on hand, shocks etc.

It's a 1980 Spitfire 1500 with no modifications.

 

[Andrew Mace]

It's a great time to check and replace shocks if needed, since they'll be half-way off. Suggestion: get a "heavy-duty" spring instead of the stock one.

It's also a great time to check the rear trunnion bushings for play and/or other problems. If the vertical link wobbles at all where the trunnion bolt passes through, and/or if you have any great deal of difficulty moving the link through its normal movement, order yourself a trunnion bushing kit as well.

It's actually not a difficult job at all to change the spring, btw! Shocks are a piece of cake, and trunnion bushings are difficult ONLY if the through bolt is seized in the steel sleeve that runs through the bushings.

While you're in there, spot-check the radius arm bushings, double-check for any play in or problems with the axle-shaft u-joints, and take a look at brakes.

 

[guzzul]

Replacing the spring is fiddly, but not technically challenging. You may want to follow Andrews advice and check the rear suspension components (including u-joints) before ordering parts, and get what you need all together.

If you are going to tackle the spring only, I would suggest you also get a new rubber pad (PN 149191) for the pivot bracket. These are often deformed or break on disassembly. Make sure the spring you order has new bushings in the ends, most ship with bushing pre-installed I believe.

 

[eejay56]

I got one from BPNW and it wasn't a big deal to install. It came with the bushings. Now it doesn't look like I have a load of rocks in the trunk.