Not in the rear leaf springs. Once the rear end is off of them you only have the weight of the spring to deal with.be very careful, think everything through before you do it, it is a dangerous job, especially when you haven't done it before, remember, there is alot of tension in them thar springs.
That depends on the bushings. With the stock rubber type you are correct, with polyurethane it doesn't matter.What alot of people dont know, is that you should NOT fully tighten any of the bolts for the springs until you get it set back down on the ground and bounce the rear of the car a few times, then torque them down with the car on the ground.. I made that mistake with my '75....the back end sat up about 4" higher than it should have.
Assuming stock style bushings, can this happen with new springs, old springs or both?What alot of people dont know, is that you should NOT fully tighten any of the bolts for the springs until you get it set back down on the ground and bounce the rear of the car a few times, then torque them down with the car on the ground.. I made that mistake with my '75....the back end sat up about 4" higher than it should have.
When using urethane the center tube is able to move in the bushing and doesn't put anything in a bind. With the stock front spring bushings the center steel tube and the outer shell are bonded to the rubber. When tightened the center tube is locked against the mounting surface. If tightened down in any other position then ride height the rubber is supporting the weight of the car. If tightened properly the rubber is in a neutral position and when the suspension moves the rubber bushings flex and then return the neutral position. Unless the bushing is shot it will be the same with both old and new bushings.Assuming stock style bushings, can this happen with new springs, old springs or both?
I use nylon locking nuts(for the front eye and all 4 shackle bolts),get it snug and that leaves a little play for the springs to moveWhen using urethane the center tube is able to move in the bushing and doesn't put anything in a bind. With the stock front spring bushings the center steel tube and the outer shell are bonded to the rubber. When tightened the center tube is locked against the mounting surface. If tightened down in any other position then ride height the rubber is supporting the weight of the car. If tightened properly the rubber is in a neutral position and when the suspension moves the rubber bushings flex and then return the neutral position. Unless the bushing is shot it will be the same with both old and new bushings.
Actually, mine was with the poly bushings. I was kind of surprised because I figured the sleeves would turn inside the bushing too, no such luck.That depends on the bushings. With the stock rubber type you are correct, with polyurethane it doesn't matter.
How tight should the bolts be before putting the wheels back down on the ground? Hand tight, a little snug, or something else?When using urethane the center tube is able to move in the bushing and doesn't put anything in a bind. With the stock front spring bushings the center steel tube and the outer shell are bonded to the rubber. When tightened the center tube is locked against the mounting surface. If tightened down in any other position then ride height the rubber is supporting the weight of the car. If tightened properly the rubber is in a neutral position and when the suspension moves the rubber bushings flex and then return the neutral position. Unless the bushing is shot it will be the same with both old and new bushings.
Actually, mine was with the poly bushings. I was kind of surprised because I figured the sleeves would turn inside the bushing too, no such luck.
Hand tight is good enough until the weight is on the springs. This can be achieved just by having the rear axle on jack stands as this places the weight of the vehicle on the springs.How tight should the bolts be before putting the wheels back down on the ground? Hand tight, a little snug, or something else?
All the bushings were poly, an Energy Suspension kit. I'm about to do the same work on the wife's '77 Nova in about 2 weeks.Was the front bushing urethane?
You could go old school and install a set of shackles to raise the rear.Since I'm not going to get new springs anytime soon, Is there any other way to lift the rear end of a car? I heard about air shocks, but I don't want a bumpy ride. Thanks.