E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Wheels, Tires, Brakes, Suspension & Steering => Topic started by: Scooter on July 21, 2020, 02:31:43 PM

Title: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Scooter on July 21, 2020, 02:31:43 PM
So the hotchicks leaf springs finally arrived and I'm getting ready to install. Where forward of the rear axle is safe to use as a lift point for my floor jack? I'll probably do one side at a time. 
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Rich G. on July 21, 2020, 02:33:35 PM
Right in front of the spring hanger on the frame rail.
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Scooter on July 21, 2020, 03:17:25 PM
So interior of the leaf spring hangar directly adjacent to the muffler there?

(https://www.thelightninground.com/filedata/fetch?id=1515&d=1595369823)



Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: 7212Mopar on July 21, 2020, 03:57:28 PM
Like Rich said, support the car's weight on the frame rail. You also need to support the axles on jack stands. You will need a long breaker bar to unbolt the front spring hanger bolts. Once you have the springs in place, lower the car on ground to put weight on the spring before tightening the bolts at the spring hangers with the rubber grommets. I recall the front bolt requires a high ft-lbs. have fun doing that with Your back on the floor. Much easier if you have a four posts lift. Alternative is to raise the car up with blocks under the tires.
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Scooter on July 21, 2020, 04:05:58 PM
^^Still a bit confused about the "frame rail".. you mean out by the rocker panels?

The front hanger is being replaced as well so I'm not even going to mess with removing the through bolt. I'll take the 4 smaller nuts off and remove it as -is.
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Rich G. on July 21, 2020, 05:17:37 PM
That's the frame rail where the hanger bolts to.
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Scooter on July 21, 2020, 05:24:50 PM
Roger that, think I'll jack the rear end from the diff and get the jackstands under the frame rails. Then I can use the jack to raise and lower the re to facilitate RR of the leaf springs.

thx
-s
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: 70vert on July 21, 2020, 08:35:06 PM
earlier this year I replaced the front & rear bushings on rear springs, it was a bear laying on my back!!
Also, mine has a rear sway bar which adds a bit of "twist" since I also did one side at a time.

I did as mentioned, lifted the car and put jack stands on the frame rails then used a floor jack under the rear end to get things loose. It took some prying because the big bolt that mounts the spring to the front hanger (thru the bushing) does not have enough room to be removed so I had to loosen and remove the hanger first. hope that makes sense.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: kawahonda on July 22, 2020, 06:45:22 AM
Ignoring the nearest jack stands which are doing nothing, I think this is what they're trying to say.

You'll have to go higher than normal because suspension will fully uncompress.
Title: Re: Where to lift for leaf spring replacement?
Post by: Scooter on July 22, 2020, 10:58:12 AM
^^^ Thanks, that's exactly what I ended up doing. Got the new leafs installed last night... now on to wheel clearance issues. The fun never ends...lol.