Best way to replace leaf springs?

[73PlyRR]

I am getting new leaf springs for my 73 RoadRunner.

What's the best way to replace the leaf springs. I have limited room in my garage I have jacks and stands but what's the best procedure for replacing the springs?

Put the stands supporting the rear end and remove the springs? Put the stands under the body and let the rear end hang down?

Anyway just looking for advice on the best way replace the springs without killing myself or destroying my car.

And I don't have access to a lift.

Thanks

 

[R413]

One side at a time. Raise one side of car, put a stand under it. Unbolt lower shocks and u-bolts, lift rearend with jack, put a stand under it. Take off shackle, unbolt front hanger with 4 nuts. Swap spring, put it all back together. You may have to swap over the front hanger of new springs don't have them.

Repeat for other side.

Wire brush and penetrant on bolts ahead of time.
And the u-bolt torque is 45 ft lbs, not 150. LOL

 

[WileE]

Uhhh.... a FSM would be a good idea.

 

[Bobzilla]

Put the stands supporting the rear end and remove the springs?

No. Car will fall on you.

Put the stands under the body and let the rear end hang down?

Yes. Support the rear of the car by the frame rails just forward of the leaf spring front hanger. Rear axle will now be hanging by springs and shocks. Now use jack to support the axle and you can safely remove one spring at a time and replace it.

 

[davek]

I have done it as R413 states twice and Im still alive.

 

[73PlyRR]

Thanks for all the help.

 

[icetech]

it's pretty straight forward when you get under there... just make sure to jackstand the body and a jack under the axle (as others said)... do one side at a time. also... make sure to use a torque wrench on the ubolts... over tightening them has some bad side effects.. another fun lessons learned

 

[Rebelrouser]

Jus

I am getting new leaf springs for my 73 RoadRunner.

What's the best way to replace the leaf springs. I have limited room in my garage I have jacks and stands but what's the best procedure for replacing the springs?

Put the stands supporting the rear end and remove the springs? Put the stands under the body and let the rear end hang down?

Anyway just looking for advice on the best way replace the springs without killing myself or destroying my car.

And I don't have access to a lift.

Thanks

t support the car by the frame. The issue that usually plagues me is the bolts in the front of the springs. When you take them loose the steel sleeve in the busing is rusted to the bolt so you can't remove it. I have found easiest way is to take a saws-all with a metal blade and cut the bolt off by slipping the blade between the bushing and bracket. Not easy but better than a torch by far. Most Mopars you can remove the bracket with the spring so you can have access to work on the bolt.

 

[Don Frelier]

You should replace the rear shackle bushings at the same time.
It's an easy task.

 

[451Mopar]

Might need some WD-40 and a large pry bar to get the rear shackles out if the bushings if they are all dry and rusted. Be careful, I did have a car fall off the cheap type jack stand trying to get one of the rear shackles out of the body. I think I cleaned up the bushing hole in the body with a wire wheel on a drill?