Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs!

Bessman94 · 03-17-2011, 09:05 PM

A little help please............
Changed the leaf spring bushings on the back half of rear springs in record time. Did the front in record time, (for a non-mechanic). Then I went, crap there's the front half of the rear spring (next to battery compartment). Got it out, but not back together. Was I supposed to loosen the u bolts? I have no idea how to get this thing back together. Can you help a rookie out? Thanks!

sonicj · 03-17-2011, 09:28 PM

yes, loosening the U bolts will help. might want to loosen the rear shackles if you've already tightened them up..
-sj

Bessman94 · 03-17-2011, 10:13 PM

the rear shackles are where the back half of the spring is connected?

sonicj · 03-18-2011, 12:02 AM

yes. loosening fasteners indicated should help with re-positioning the springs.
-sj

Bessman94 · 03-18-2011, 01:38 PM

Thanks so much!

dmax27 · 03-18-2011, 03:58 PM

When ever I did leaf springs on a car I always installed the front of the new leaf springs first. It's a lot easier to move the shackles to the spring than the spring and axle to the frame. Jack the cart in the air until the axle hangs free. Put jack stands under the rear axle to keep it from falling down. Loosen the front and rear bolts holding the springs in place but don't take them out. Remove the U bolts and hardware. from the axle. Remove the rear bolts and shackles. Let the spring hang down while you remove the front bolts. Install the new springs and hardware on the front first. If you can push the spring up in place and attach it to the rear shackles do it. If you can't get it in place. Install the U bolt and hardware on the axle before attaching to the shackles. Put a floor jack under the axle and jack it up a little at a time to get the rear shackle bolts in place. You may have to pry down on the rear spring to get the shackle to line up. Sometimes I would put a block of wood between the rear of the spring and the frame when I jacked it up. This would help move the spring backwards to line up the shackle bolts.

sonicj · 03-19-2011, 11:43 AM

be careful loosening the U bolts! the transmission and motor assembly are top heavy and will fall over if given the chance.
-sj

Bessman94 · 03-22-2011, 10:36 PM

I DID IT!!! And it runs great! And I only broke one bolt and one finger!! LOL. Thanks for your help!!

03-17-2011, 09:05 PM	#1
Bessman94 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Texas Posts: 12	Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! A little help please............ Changed the leaf spring bushings on the back half of rear springs in record time. Did the front in record time, (for a non-mechanic). Then I went, crap there's the front half of the rear spring (next to battery compartment). Got it out, but not back together. Was I supposed to loosen the u bolts? I have no idea how to get this thing back together. Can you help a rookie out? Thanks!

03-17-2011, 09:28 PM	#2
sonicj Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 1,408	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! yes, loosening the U bolts will help. might want to loosen the rear shackles if you've already tightened them up.. -sj

03-17-2011, 10:13 PM	#3
Bessman94 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Texas Posts: 12	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! the rear shackles are where the back half of the spring is connected?

03-18-2011, 01:38 PM	#5
Bessman94 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Texas Posts: 12	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! Thanks so much!

03-18-2011, 03:58 PM	#6
dmax27 Getting Wild Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 90	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! When ever I did leaf springs on a car I always installed the front of the new leaf springs first. It's a lot easier to move the shackles to the spring than the spring and axle to the frame. Jack the cart in the air until the axle hangs free. Put jack stands under the rear axle to keep it from falling down. Loosen the front and rear bolts holding the springs in place but don't take them out. Remove the U bolts and hardware. from the axle. Remove the rear bolts and shackles. Let the spring hang down while you remove the front bolts. Install the new springs and hardware on the front first. If you can push the spring up in place and attach it to the rear shackles do it. If you can't get it in place. Install the U bolt and hardware on the axle before attaching to the shackles. Put a floor jack under the axle and jack it up a little at a time to get the rear shackle bolts in place. You may have to pry down on the rear spring to get the shackle to line up. Sometimes I would put a block of wood between the rear of the spring and the frame when I jacked it up. This would help move the spring backwards to line up the shackle bolts.
dmax27 Getting Wild Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 90

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03-19-2011, 11:43 AM	#7
sonicj Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 1,408	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! be careful loosening the U bolts! the transmission and motor assembly are top heavy and will fall over if given the chance. -sj

03-22-2011, 10:36 PM	#8
Bessman94 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Texas Posts: 12	Re: Over my head now!! Rear leaf springs! I DID IT!!! And it runs great! And I only broke one bolt and one finger!! LOL. Thanks for your help!!

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