The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-14-2021, 08:12 AM   #1
kens65fb
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Dallas, PA
Posts: 551
Rear Coil Spring removal?

I'm about to install rear drop springs in my 64.

I was able to remove the upper coil spring retainer and bolt without too much trouble, but the lower retainer gave me fits.

I raised the frame to get the tension of the spring, and it was clear by about an inch.

I was not able to get a socket on the lower bolt as it was partially recessed into the control arm, is this normal?

Should there be a washer between the bolt and the control arm

How do you remove the lower retainer??

Last edited by kens65fb; 04-14-2021 at 08:22 AM. Reason: ...
kens65fb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 09:15 AM   #2
roll_the_dice
Registered User
 
roll_the_dice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manlius, NY
Posts: 1,698
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

I've been thinking of changing my springs too and it always looks easy, but 50+ years of those bolts hanging on makes it tough I am sure. I am sure you have seen this, but you can see he struggled too...spring removal starts at around the 3:15 mark.

roll_the_dice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 09:28 AM   #3
kens65fb
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Dallas, PA
Posts: 551
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by roll_the_dice View Post
I've been thinking of changing my springs too and it always looks easy, but 50+ years of those bolts hanging on makes it tough I am sure. I am sure you have seen this, but you can see he struggled too...spring removal starts at around the 3:15 mark.

chevy c10 4''drop on rear - YouTube
I did watch that video, and he was able to get a socket on the bottom bolt.
The bottom bolts on my springs , are partially recessed into the control arm, and I cannot get enough of a bite with a 3/4 socket.
kens65fb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 09:53 AM   #4
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Your going to havle to cut them out or drill them out. Maybe drill the heads off?
I'd remove the upper bolts, the trailing arms bolts (to the cross-member) and work on them off the truck. But that's just me.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 10:52 AM   #5
kens65fb
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Dallas, PA
Posts: 551
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rocknrod View Post
Your going to havle to cut them out or drill them out. Maybe drill the heads off?
I'd remove the upper bolts, the trailing arms bolts (to the cross-member) and work on them off the truck. But that's just me.
I wonder if there should be some type of washer between the bolt & control arm, so the bolt doesn't bury itself, then you can get a socket on it.
kens65fb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 10:53 AM   #6
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

I would.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 11:03 AM   #7
pdxhall
Senior Member
 
pdxhall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 2,084
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

If the bolts are as you said, you will probably need new lower spring perches and bolts. If the hole in the control arm is buggered out a washer may work but you will know what's going on when you get it torn apart. I cut mine out and replaced everything.
__________________
Sanity'66
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110
Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window

I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing.
pdxhall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 11:03 AM   #8
roll_the_dice
Registered User
 
roll_the_dice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manlius, NY
Posts: 1,698
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rocknrod View Post
Your going to havle to cut them out or drill them out. Maybe drill the heads off?
I'd remove the upper bolts, the trailing arms bolts (to the cross-member) and work on them off the truck. But that's just me.
That's a good idea...beats laying on your back doing it!
roll_the_dice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 11:52 AM   #9
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,700
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

I always start rear spring removal but cutting the spring with a cutoff wheel and getting it out of the way.
Remove the shock and lower the rearend so you can get in there and work.
Everyone tries to save the old spring.
Make things easy on yourself.
Just my 2 cents.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2021, 12:28 PM   #10
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,488
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

I have a washer on the underside of the spring bolt that goes through the trailing arm.
After 50+ years, the washer could have rusted away or broke apart
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2021, 06:36 PM   #11
Heater63
Registered User
 
Heater63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: N Texas
Posts: 580
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Everything needs to be replaced with NEW, so cut everything...torch or wheel.
__________________
292 + TKO500
Heater63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2021, 11:38 PM   #12
Riverstory
Registered User
 
Riverstory's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 142
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

I used a breaker bar with a 4' cheater pipe. Came right off. No sense in cutting when you don't have to.
Riverstory is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2021, 04:08 PM   #13
forestb
Registered User
 
forestb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 3,619
Re: Rear Coil Spring removal?

Have you tied spinning the coil. If you can spin the coil and the bottom bolt stays in place then you should be able to get it out.
forestb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com