Rear Spring Removal

[salazar44]

Anyone have any pointers on this before I replace them with some jeep springs. Pointers in regards to how-to... not necessarily why I shouldnt do it.

[joe231]

don't expect a quick and easy job. soak the bolts and nuts/cups with pb blaster.
3 out of 4 of my bolts broke, prepare for the worse and you won't be suprized
(if your rear suspension has been apart recently disregard this)

[salazar44]

hmm... what bolt sizes do I need to replace it? I might as well get them now so I can have them ready.

[protrash64]

Hey man, its not extremely difficult but its definately not fun. I did mine last fall and it took awhile to get it done. I cannot for the life of me remember the bolt sizes......I think uses 11/16 or 3/4 socket........3/4" bolt? 5/8" bolt?

Just jack it up and let the springs extend so you can get in there. Having 2 or 3 jacks is helpful too!

I think the bottom bolt is about 5" long. It is the same size as the rest I believe.....dont quote me.........have fun.

[joe231]

Vic, they are 1/2"-13 bolts top and bottom. I used grade 8. bottom ones I got 1/2"-13 by 4 1/2" long. I think i got 1/2"-13 by 1" long for the top. I also had to flatten the lower cups, and when I did it knocked the welded square nuts loose, so I used flats, locks, and nuts instead. give me a shout if you have any more questions.
joe

hey Jeff, it is a 3/4" head and nut. I will remember that for awhile. when I got replacement bolts they didn't have 4 1/2", and 4" were too short, so i got 5"...turned out too long so used the 5" with extra washers just to get it on the road, then I got the 4 1/2" later and replaced them this last weekend, quick easy job, right. got the driver's swapped, was just finishing the passenger's side when the 1/2" ratchet and 3/4" socket slipped off and I hit myself in the head, blood everywhere, freaked out the family. not to mention anti-seize embedded in the sore.
here is a pic after it has healed for a week

perfect socket shaped dent

oh, and......never-mind the receding hairline

[ChopperDr]

Hit the nuts with PB Blaster.http://www.pbblaster.com/index.html Do this every day for a few days. It's the ticket to working on old fasteners.

The Wrangler springs are a smaller diameter so they are a little loose in the mounts, but they seem to stay in. I like the spring rate, they ride pretty good.

Chopper

[1966-Suburban-V-8]

Originally Posted by joe231

....perfect socket shaped dent...

Youch! that's definitely gonna leave a mark! You shoulda been wearing a helmet when you were wrenching on that job. Next OSHA requirement on the way!

Dan

[joe231]

Originally Posted by 1966-Suburban-V-8

Youch! that's definitely gonna leave a mark! You shoulda been wearing a helmet when you were wrenching on that job. Next OSHA requirement on the way!

Dan

[salazar44]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I was not able to read the posts until this morning. I got the job done with a little muscle work. They were stuck pretty good but I used some penetrating stuff for rusty bolts. Luckily nothing busted and now my ride is sitting pretty! I am suprised as to how well it turned out.

Initially I only got an inch drop, but after removing the helper springs it went down to a 3 inch drop.

Not bad for $20!

[joe231]

how does the long bed ride with these springs?

[salazar44]

feels pretty normal to me. I also had some helper springs already on. I plan on cutting them shorter incase i need to load some stuff on there, although i dont plan on it. But when they are on the bed goes from a 3" drop to a 1" drop... haha. I have some pics of everything, I will post them up later.

[salazar44]

Ok.. so here are some before and after pics. I am pretty content with the rear drop, but still desire more in the front. It will get there.

Sorry but the only before pics with matching angles and while I had with same tires/wheels are when the truck was super WIP.
Front springs cut 1 coil, Rear springs swapped with 97 Jeep wranglers.

Before Angle1:


After Angle1:



Before Angle2:


After Angle2:


Spring Differences:

[salazar44]

hmmm.. those pics dont really do the rear drop justice. Maybe this will help?

Before:


After:

[NF65Fleetside]

daym look'n good mayn! your kill'n me on getting stuff done! come time to swap in my 6" rears then Im calling you! hehehe.

[joe231]

looks nice!

[TimE]

Dang! All I'm gettin are red X's. Oh well, I'm sure it looks cool!

[greg64]

Looks great Vic! Glad you had the elbow grease to get her done.

[salazar44]

luckily for some reason things were not TOO bad. Dont get me wrong.. i wasnt smiling!