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Rear Spring Removal

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Ohiobugeye

Ohiobugeye

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I have returned back to Ohio and have started working on the Bugeye again. I have removed the rearend, radius arms,shocks ,etc. When I went to remove the rear springs, I broke the head off one of the bolts that pass thru the front of the spring and atach to the top mounting plate. The spring is now loose, but the top plate is still atached to the spring and won't let the spring slide out of the mounting hole. Any suggestions what my next step will be?
 
Jack can answer this one!
 
Yes, I believe it was laborous and required drilling. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif

Luckily I haven't encountered that one, but Jack just went through it about 2 or 3 months ago.
 
Yep, I am the local expert on this problem.

Drill the darn bolts out. Big bit and a lot of sweat and bits.

The problem of course is that it is a long drill job and they must be completely removed as there is no space to pull the springs if the top of the bolt is above the top spring hanger mount thing.

I will garantee you are not going to like this job. For two bolts plan on maybe 8 or more drill bits.

Now all that said can you disasemble the spring in place and remove the bottom leaf or two. You will prob have to cut the bolt and roller things on the spring straps.

If you can get a leaf or two out the spring will come as it is much smaller now and will come out of the hanger access hole.

This would be my perfered route if both bolts that broke are up in the hole just a bit. otherwise drill just far enough to clear two leafs.

If that did not make sence give me your direct questions.

Remove two leaves, careful what you cut to do so. I can provide detailes from a 3 day research project.

But bet I could do the job in an hour or so now.
 
I now have one spring loose with one broken bolt still in the spring. Do you know how much space I have above the spring to work with? Could I use a drift punch and dislodge the bolt and top mounting plate from the botom? I thought about cutting the spring keepers and trying to take it out a leaf at a time, but wasn't sure it that would solve my problem or just create another one. I'll start removing the other spring once I finish the first one. I bought all new parts from a dealer at a swap meet. I ask him about removing the old springs. He said once the u-bolts were removed to just break or cut the bolt heads off and the spring would just slide out. Guess he's never replaced these things!
 
The problem is you have no space to pull the spring out with the bolts in as they come up through the spring plate a bit. However, if you can remove the bottom leaf or two you will have room, just. Do not cut the spring peices that are seemingly made of strap. cut the bolt between them at the bottom if it will not come out and cut at an end so you do as little damage to the cover/roller peice around the bolt as possible.

How far up inside did your bolt break off? This is critical to the removal of the bottom leaf. You may have to drill a quarter inch or less.
 
I have one more strap assembely to cut thru. The bolt broke almost flush with the head, 1/16 or less of the shank is atached to the head. I'm assuming I will have some drilling to do to get the botom leafs out.
 
Well give it a try, removing the bottom leaf, but I think a bit of drilling is in order, not a lot though.
 
Great Jack, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I knew you had the unpleseant experience.

Working on the rear here, she squated out nice with the engine in, so I am connecting all the stuff in the back, I will try to post a pick later with her up on stands.
 
Outstanding GB. Always like pics. That way I know how she goes back, hehe.

Please please, reassemble springs into their hangers etc with something that will keep the prob from ariseing the next time. I will, it just may be me.

However that said. I don,t not expect to be around in another 48 years and I am sure that Miss Agathas springs had never been out.
 
Hey Jack, I have the final keeper cut thru and the leafs are loose. The problem now is the entire spring is loose and I am having problems alinging it up to find the broken bolt. Once I get things aligned I assume I'll have to drop a u-bolt back in to hold everything in place to drill out the brokrn bolt?
 
Yep, although you just might be able to wiggle the bottom leaf out now? A big screwdriver or two spreading the bottom leaf from the others is the trick.
 
I've been beating and pounding to no avail. I drilled up into the 3/8" bolt that goes up thru the upper mounting plate. I loked at the new spring laying on the workbench and noticed there is also an alignment bolt holding the leaf's in place......Time to start more drilling. Ain't this fun?
 
Yahooo, enjoy, sorry

I am under my rear here too.

The back of my arms need a serious scrub. hehehe

Keep pluging away!!!!!
 
You could always get in the shower with the significant other and get em cleaned up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
 
hehehe!, love ya Jack, maybe some picks of my arse (the BE)tonight, the better one. Hehehe
 
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