Replacing rear springs this weekend....

Author Topic: Replacing rear springs this weekend....  (Read 1936 times)

Offline Challenger73318

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Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« on: March 23, 2007 - 06:02:28 PM »
Any tips, advice, other assorted points of interest?





Offline 71340RT

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2007 - 11:15:50 PM »
Here is my old post from when I changed out my Challenger RT springs. The pictures are gone but this should give you the information needed to change the leaf springs out.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=15932.msg162412#msg162412


70 Plymouth Cuda 340 4-speed
71 Dodge Challenger RT 340 automatic
1973 Dodge Challenger 360 automatic EFI
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Offline Challenger73318

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2007 - 04:01:16 AM »
Awesome description!  Thanks! 

Offline AprilsPink72Cuda

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2007 - 05:21:48 PM »
I wish I saw that post before doing my springs.  I am happy I won't have to do that job again for quite some time!


Offline Challenger73318

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2007 - 06:00:10 PM »
Everything was going swimmingly according to 71340RT's post, until I got to the U-Bolts.  Seems they're stubborn.  I'm going to be cutting them tomorrow.

 

Offline 1BADFISH™

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2007 - 06:36:35 PM »
I wish I saw that post before doing my springs.  I am happy I won't have to do that job again for quite some time!



Hmmmm, I really don't see you doing anything April.  :clueless:   :roflsmiley:

Dave
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Offline djdmotorsports

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2007 - 08:34:08 PM »
If rust buildup is giving you a problem heat the nuts with an oxy acetelene torch until they are nice and red, then drench them in the coldest water you have, heat them back up and as soon as they are hot they should turn right off with a socket. I deal with the rust alllllll the time at work... Damn NY and its salt.
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Offline Jacksboys

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2007 - 08:38:38 PM »
Hmmmm, I really don't see you doing anything April.  :clueless:   :roflsmiley:

She is in charge of the jack.  :poopoke: :roflsmiley:
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Offline 1BADFISH™

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2007 - 08:43:10 PM »
If rust buildup is giving you a problem heat the nuts with an oxy acetelene torch until they are nice and red, then drench them in the coldest water you have, heat them back up and as soon as they are hot they should turn right off with a socket. I deal with the rust alllllll the time at work... d**n NY and its salt.

Thats a little trick my dad taught me when I was a kid, you need to know these things when you grow up on the rusty east coast.   :bigsmile:

Dave
Charlottetown, PE
2014 GMC Sierra Crew Cab White Diamond edition.
1970 Dodge Challenger 340-6 4spd.
*Member Since* Oct 11, 2005

Offline ChallengerGary

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2007 - 07:29:16 AM »
I am waiting for Espo to deliver my rear leaf springs also  :bigsmile:  Plan on dropping the rear end today and taking it apart to detail it up, install new bearings, brake lines, rebuild the brakes and paint the underside of the car while it's out.   :working: :working: :working:
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Offline AprilsPink72Cuda

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2007 - 01:43:21 PM »
Hmmmm, I really don't see you doing anything April.  :clueless:   :roflsmiley:

Hahaha, it does look that way in th epic BUT...

I worked my butt off on changing those springs.  I did forget to mention that cutting the U bolts is the best way to go.  We tried to get them off w/out cutting them at first too.  Big mistake, LOL. 

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2007 - 02:05:24 PM »
Hahaha, it does look that way in th epic BUT...

I worked my butt off on changing those springs.  I did forget to mention that cutting the U bolts is the best way to go.  We tried to get them off w/out cutting them at first too.  Big mistake, LOL. 

  :iagree:  :iagree:  :iagree:

 Hack-saw them buggers. It makes you feel Sooo much better.  :thumbsup: The threads might even be stretched a tad, so just go with new ones that aren't rusted.



    Mike

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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2007 - 09:22:47 PM »
Always replace the U bolts , I cut them as well , angle grinders are fast   

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Offline Challenger73318

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2007 - 08:58:22 PM »
I got out the sawzall and cut the u-bolts tonight.  Could only get to the back half, so now I have 2 J bolts holding the leafspring to the axle LOL  Angle grinder will be out tomorrow.


Offline AprilsPink72Cuda

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Re: Replacing rear springs this weekend....
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2007 - 03:56:55 PM »
Yeah, I don't know what I was thining trying to get those U bolts off without cutting them.  As MEK said, it sure felt good to cut through them!