need help with pulling rear springs

[carguybill]

I'm installing a Jakes rear lift kit on my ' 97 Carryall II and I need to remove the rear springs so that I can re-mount them above the axle.

The problem is I see no good way to remove the bolts at the ends of the springs particularly in the front where there is very little room between the bolt and the engine. I'm assuming that they are corroded and stuck to the bushings.

I can burn out the bushings but I'm hoping that someone here has a better way to remove these bolts.

Thanks, Bill

[nobuckbuild]

i use a wrench and air ratchet if that dont work i will zip wheel the nut side and drive the bolt outwards , its tight to get at but their is usually enough room to get at them and get them out , ive only had to ever cut one but that was due to a "helper" stripping the nut with the wrong size socket

[pachanga90]

Remove the nut,take an air hammer and rattle the bolt on the flats of the head(where a wrench grabs),do not use any penetrating fluid,keep rattling and you will start to see rusty dust coming out,after a few seconds of that,try to spin the bolt inplace with an impact gun,then it should come out,if it sticks part way,rattle.it again,where it is stuck,drive it in,and respin with impact.I work in a spring shop,we rarely change a bushing doing it this way.When you reassemble,use caliper lube on the bolts,sleeves,etc..it doesnt wash out or get dry like never-seize. Hope this helps.

[carguybill]

Pachanga. Thanks, this sounds like a good plan however, unfortunately, I have already used the Club Car dry lube. I didn't realize until I looked in the parts manual that the Carryall, at least, has a steel bushing inside the eye of the main spring. My guess is that the bolt is rusted to this steel bushing.

If I can find my air hammer I'll try your technique but if that fails I'm thinking I'll just take my SazAll and cut the bolt on each side of the spring.

Thanks again for the response. Bill

[carguybill]

Thanks again pachanga90, It is possible to teach a very old dog new tricks. I used the air hammer as you suggested and was able to remove those stubborn bolts. It took a bit of time, patience, and perseverance but it did the trick.

[pachanga90]