Leaf spring help?

[Phantom440]

Hi all, I hope you’re doing well!
‘72 Coronet, 8 1/4 rear.
I’m trying to get the rear and leaf springs out for wagon leaves and 8 3/4, and I’ve managed to remove the rear shackles and disconnect the shocks. Working my way forward, I get to the front leaf spring bolts, and they ain’t moving. I think it’s a 15/16 nut facing toward the outside of the car, and what looks like a smaller diameter nut toward the center. I put a breaker bar on the outer nut, and even stood on it (and I’m about 215lbs) and it didn’t make a lick of difference. I blasted it with Liquid Wrench about an hour before I got to that area, and nothing. Am I doing it wrong? Does the inner nut (closer to center of car) come off first and then I bang the bolt out outward? There doesn’t seem to be enough room to do that.
Also, I found out someone had half welded a nut on to secure the Driver’s side shock at the bottom. Really glad I found that out now, as this is to be my wedding car.
Anyway, any help to try and get the front of these springs out will be much appreciated!
Thank you in advance!

 

[Phantom440]

PS- anyone in the south AL area want a B-body 8 1/4 rear for free?

 

[67belvedere/225]

it seems that the bolt is seized inside the bushing , you may need to sawzall the bolt out. if thats what I'm thinking won't come off.
on a lot of leaf spring eye bolts seized onto the inner sleeve of bushing, hell to get off .
either cut bolt off from inside the shackle or go crazy and melt rubber with torch and make a stink and a mess .good luck

 

[threewood]

Can you get the 4 nuts off the front spring hangers to drop the whole thing? Might be easier than dealing with a frozen bolt on the vehicle.

 

[Phantom440]

Thank you!
I will try to remove the four bolts holding the spring hangers off first- and if those are a PITA, I’ll go the Sawzall/torch route.
This board and you guys are the best. Seriously.

 

[oldbee]

When’s the wedding? You might have time!! Oxy-acetylene & burn out the frt bushing.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

67 and threewood are giving you EXCEPTIONALLY good advice!

 

[67belvedere/225]

OH . and when you have the old bushing out , the steel shell is still in the leaf spring eye . needs to be pressed out or zip gun or torched(watch out)
you can clean the spring eye out after with a wire brush our emery cloth. put the new bushings in the freezer,
then press them in when still frozen , it will make it easier

 

[beanhead]

OH . and when you have the old bushing out , the steel shell is still in the leaf spring eye . needs to be pressed out or zip gun or torched(watch out)
you can clean the spring eye out after with a wire brush our emery cloth. put the new bushings in the freezer,
then press them in when still frozen , it will make it easier

Hopefully his new springs have the front bushings pre-installed....! My XHDs did. Otherwise you're right he's in for a fun time..

 

[67belvedere/225]

and of course brake grease on the bolts , and i would not use urethane bushings they get sneaky and need to lube often

 

[Phantom440]

Thanks guys! Got all four of the spring hanger bolts out on one side, 3 out of the other- one’s being a mother to get out. Top on the driver’s side. The other top one on the driver’s side wanted to be like its sister and rounded off instead of coming loose. 5 minutes with a cutoff wheel on my drill and it wasn’t a problem. Just need a new cut off wheel to get that last bolt off. Again, I’d be a sweaty, cussing mess if it weren’t for your help. Sometime in the future, if you see a snot-green ‘72 Coronet at Carlisle or something, come say hi! I’ll try and bring a cooler of beer with me!

 

[beanhead]

Thanks guys! Got all four of the spring hanger bolts out on one side, 3 out of the other- one’s being a mother to get out. Top on the driver’s side. The other top one on the driver’s side wanted to be like its sister and rounded off instead of coming loose. 5 minutes with a cutoff wheel on my drill and it wasn’t a problem. Just need a new cut off wheel to get that last bolt off. Again, I’d be a sweaty, cussing mess if it weren’t for your help. Sometime in the future, if you see a snot-green ‘72 Coronet at Carlisle or something, come say hi! I’ll try and bring a cooler of beer with me!

Coolness. Snot green! All mopar! (Baby-poop or puke green are gm&ford colors)

 

[Phantom440]

Oh- the wedding is March of 2020, so I’ve got some time. The plan is a 440/A833/8.75 all wrapped up in an uglyass 4-door.

 

[67belvedere/225]

Oh- the wedding is March of 2020, so I’ve got some time. The plan is a 440/A833/8.75 all wrapped up in an uglyass 4-door.

love the 4 doors