Separating leaf springs ?

[Racer57]

I bought helper springs to raise the rear of my car 1" - 1 1/2".  I started taking everything apart but stopped when it came time to separate the lower leafs from the main leaf. I'm leaving the main attached to the car and will slip the helper in below it.  Do I need to remove the nut on bottom leaf, or just wiggle everything back and forth to separate them ? Even though there isn't any rust, I was afraid that the nut might snap off and then I'd be in trouble. Hows it done ?

[MoparLeo]

A picture of what you are working with would help.

[Chryco Psycho]

Undo the center bolt & replace it , it is only a couple of $$ to buy new center bolts

[Burdar]

The bolt goes through ALL the leaves.  You won't get a helper spring in between any leaves with the bolt in place.

Put a couple large "C" clamps on the springs on either side of the bolt.  Once the bolt is out, you can slowly let pressure off the spring pack.

[Racer57]

A picture of what you are working with would help.

After putting jack stands under frame and tires in the air, I had the shock plate, clamps off and axle separated from the springs. The springs at this point had nothing on them and were only attached at each end to the car. At this point is when I decided that I needed more info and put everything back together.  There isn't any need for a C clamp is there ?   

[Burdar]

I'm leaving the main attached to the car and will slip the helper in below it.

You can leave the main leaf attached to the car but you'll have to loosen the U-bolts and lift the rear axle off the springs to get the bolt out.  The bolt will most likely be too short with the helper springs in place so I'd replace it.  The end of the special bolt is round...not a hex.  The round end goes in the center hole of the spring perch and locates the rear end in the correct place.

[Racer57]

I'm leaving the main attached to the car and will slip the helper in below it.

You can leave the main leaf attached to the car but you'll have to loosen the U-bolts and lift the rear axle off the springs to get the bolt out.  The bolt will most likely be too short with the helper springs in place so I'd replace it.  The end of the special bolt is round...not a hex.  The round end goes in the center hole of the spring perch and locates the rear end in the correct place.

Is it a standard Allen head ?

[Burdar]

I'm not 100% sure on the factory ones.  The replacement ones I have here don't have anything in the head.  You might just have to put some locking pliers on it.

[Burdar]

The spring pack is held together with that center bolt.  If you remove it the spring pack is going to spring open.  You need the C clamps on them when the bolt comes out.

[Filthy Filbert]

I seem to recall the bolt is either just a rounded stud or it's a 5-sided bolt head. 

regardless--clamp the spring packs, cut the nut/bolt off with a sawzall or cutoff wheel if you can't get it with vicegrips, and replace it with a grade 8 allen bolt and nut.    Keep the bolt head on the proper side of the leaf pack--it's what locates the axle on the spring, and you don't want the threads and nut sticking up too high, preventing the axle from seating on the main leaf.

[Chryco Psycho]

The center bolt has a tall rounded head to locate into the housing mounts ,correct center bolts are not expensive .

[headejm]

@Racer57 I am interested in how this project turns out. I'd like to raise the rear of my car by no more than 1 inch. If possible, take some before and after photos. Thanks! 

[Racer57]

@Racer57 I am interested in how this project turns out. I'd like to raise the rear of my car by no more than 1 inch. If possible, take some before and after photos. Thanks! 

My ability to work on the car is hit and miss, so it may be a while before I get done. 

Where you at in Illinois ? I'm in Charleston.

[Mr Lee]

So this extra leaf... it goes in between the longest leaf and second longest? 
Where do you get them?   Are they generic or specific to the car?

[Racer57]

It goes below the main spring thats fastened to the car itself. 2nd one down. I went to Burke Spring in Terra Haute Ind. Showed them the same picture that I've posted above and told them I wanted to raise the car 1 1/2". They cut the spring from flat stock and bend it. They told me to measure it and cut if needed so that its ends do not extend too far. They also put the hole in them. They are very hesitant about selling springs out the door. They want you to bring the car to them and they guarantee that it does not leave until the customer is 100% satisfied. They are a 45min drive away and I felt I could just do it myself. Guess I'll find out.