rear coil spring removal

cola · December 27th, 2007, 07:57 PM

Hi guys
going to attempt to remove the rear coil springs in my 68 cutlass, any suggestions or tips or pictures?

cola

2blu442 · December 27th, 2007, 10:17 PM

I'm pretty sure last time I did that I supported the frame on jack stands, removed the tires, removed the lower shock mount bolts on each side. Then I rocked the axle housing down on one side, pulled the spring out, then went to the other side and did the same. I don't think I removed the trailing arms or messed with the brake lines. John

joe_padavano · December 28th, 2007, 09:31 AM

John's right, though I don't think I even needed to remove the tires. Once the shocks are disconnected the axle will drop down far enough for the springs to fall out.

kevinkpk · December 28th, 2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

John's right, though I don't think I even needed to remove the tires. Once the shocks are disconnected the axle will drop down far enough for the springs to fall out.

Yes, unbolt the shocks ( I used a floor jack) and I jacked the body up till the spring would clear. It's not as difficult as it sounds/seems.

68conv455 · December 28th, 2007, 06:32 PM

Don't remove the shocks until you drop the axle as far as possible. You may not need to remove them. Also..... You're going to have the car up high (especially if you don't remove the tires), so please, make sure you have redundant supports under your car. Don't risk getting crushed. Safety first!

68conv455 · December 28th, 2007, 06:33 PM

After all. We don't want to damage a perfectly good Cutlass on your chest.

Olds64 · December 28th, 2007, 08:48 PM

Definitely safety first! Also be careful working around suspension parts when the springs are compressed. If one of those springs pops out when it is partially compressed it won't just fly across the room.

When I was doing the front suspension on my 64 98 I used a floor jack to compress the springs between the control arms when I put everything back together. It was pretty scary hearing the spring pop and creak as I compressed it. I was glad when I got the ball joints bolted to the spindle.

cola · December 29th, 2007, 07:39 AM

Hi everyone
Thanks for the quick response. I tracked down a chasis service manual and I think I'll wait for it to come in.

thanks again and happy new year to all

Andy

cola · January 15th, 2008, 05:47 PM

Hi everyone
thanks for all your help, replaced the rear coil springs last week and everything went excellent. I did however have to remove the passanger side wheel. I had trouble getting the coil around the tail pipe.

Thanks again for everyones help

cola

December 27th, 2007, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
cola Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 16	rear coil spring removal Hi guys going to attempt to remove the rear coil springs in my 68 cutlass, any suggestions or tips or pictures? cola

December 27th, 2007, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,256	Springs I'm pretty sure last time I did that I supported the frame on jack stands, removed the tires, removed the lower shock mount bolts on each side. Then I rocked the axle housing down on one side, pulled the spring out, then went to the other side and did the same. I don't think I removed the trailing arms or messed with the brake lines. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

December 28th, 2007, 09:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
joe_padavano Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,396	John's right, though I don't think I even needed to remove the tires. Once the shocks are disconnected the axle will drop down far enough for the springs to fall out. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

December 28th, 2007, 08:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	Definitely safety first! Also be careful working around suspension parts when the springs are compressed. If one of those springs pops out when it is partially compressed it won't just fly across the room. When I was doing the front suspension on my 64 98 I used a floor jack to compress the springs between the control arms when I put everything back together. It was pretty scary hearing the spring pop and creak as I compressed it. I was glad when I got the ball joints bolted to the spindle. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

December 29th, 2007, 07:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
cola Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 16	rear coils Hi everyone Thanks for the quick response. I tracked down a chasis service manual and I think I'll wait for it to come in. thanks again and happy new year to all Andy

December 28th, 2007, 06:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
68conv455 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 259	Don't remove the shocks until you drop the axle as far as possible. You may not need to remove them. Also..... You're going to have the car up high (especially if you don't remove the tires), so please, make sure you have redundant supports under your car. Don't risk getting crushed. Safety first!

December 28th, 2007, 06:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
68conv455 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 259	After all. We don't want to damage a perfectly good Cutlass on your chest.

January 15th, 2008, 05:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
cola Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 16	rear coil removal Hi everyone thanks for all your help, replaced the rear coil springs last week and everything went excellent. I did however have to remove the passanger side wheel. I had trouble getting the coil around the tail pipe. Thanks again for everyones help cola

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