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Removing rear quarter elliptical

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R

Rakos

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Hi; I heard so many horror stories about possible rusty box. Is there a way to tell I am going to have problems before I tackle it? Which bolts do I remove? Thanks, John
 
The quarter elliptical rear spring is held to the spring box by two bolts easily accessed from under the car. The bolts thread into a threaded steel plate on the top that functions as the last spring leaf, but you can't see this until removed.
After freeing the rear of the spring at the spring bushing, just release these two bolts and prepare for some frustration.
If yours is like mine was, it will be fused to the spring box by years of corrosion. A lot of wiggling and a BFH and some patience will get the spring free.

BTW, after I bead blasted each spring leaf and primer coated them, I coated the sliding surfaces with a graphite paint from tractor supply:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/ez-slide-graphite-based-coating-12-oz-aerosol
 
Oh, and the U-bolt also goes through a bracket extending from the lower portion of the spring plate. The two nuts need to be released from the u-bolt and it must be removed as well. This part is pretty obvious, and not too difficult.
 
If I remember correctly you can get to the threaded end of the two impossible bolts through the top of the plate. Generous application of penetrant might help. I like auto transmission oil and acetone.

Kurt.
 
I have done this job 3 times over 35 years! First time the long bolts had to be drilled out. Very unpleasant. I made the top threaded plates by welding nuts to a steel strip. There should be rubber seals around the spring to keep muck out of the spring box but these are usually missing unless the owner is fastidious. I made seals from old inner tube and stuck them on with Waxoyl underseal.
 
When I replaced my springs into rebuilt boxes, I packed the entire cavity with heavy fibrous bearing grease.It stays put, seals the box and wicks into the spring ends and everything. Should come apart easily any time in the future. These boxes are a design nightmare located in front of the tires to collect dirt and water which finds it's way down into the brace to the floor.
 
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