Rear Spring Removal

[simpzimmer]

I'm fixing to remove the rear spring either for replacement or re-arcing. There's a place in town that says they'll do it for $20. Are any special tools required for removing the leaf spring. There's one on e-bay right now. I wasn't sure.

 

[VitSport6]

I dont think there is anything special needed, Its all just bolted on.
Good luck

 

[Andrew Mace]

Brian's right. If I remember correctly from doing it on the Herald a couple years back, undo the lower shock absorber mounting nut/washer/bush, then undo the bolts through each spring end (holding the "vertical links"), after which the axle assemblies should drop safely out of the way (although you might also have to undo one end of each radius rod). Then open the access cover, undo the four nuts/studs atop the differential, and you should then be able to slide the spring out one side or the other.

 

[simpzimmer]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Rusticus]

Ah. '79 Spit? You have a "swing spring" rear supension. (A little different from the Sports 6 or Herald.) The bolt on which the spring pivots will prevent the spring from sliding anywhere, unless the studs are removed from the diff housing. Remove the studs and the spring with the "pivot box"(?) that holds the spring to the diff will slide out from the side. (Get used to the idea of scratching some paint in the process.) You can then dissasemble the spring and "pivot box." Good luck getting the pivot bolt back through the repaired or new spring. I wish I remember how I did it. :>)