Need some help with my Leaf's!

[Addicted_2_II]

Ok here is where I am at... I have just about everything off but I can not get this 3/4" bolt out:

This is all I have acomplished so far:

The impact wrench is just starting to round the head of the bolt off

I am also having issue with the rear bracket too! How in the world do you get this off? I tried to pull the entire bracked off (2 bolts hold it to the frame) but there is not enough space to hold the top/inside nut on the end of the bolt! ARGGG

If anyone has suggestions, I am all ears!
Chad

 

[welder4956]

I'm getting ready to replace my rear leafs also. I think your going to need to replace the rear shackles and bushings, so either a cutting torch, nut splitter or grinder is going to be needed to get that nut off. Then you'll have to knock the other side out with a hammer. It may help to cut the shackle in half so you don't have to push the leaf bushing and shackle bushing out at the same time. Replacement shackle assemblies with bushings and bolts are available at NAPA (and others) for $27-$42.

Here's the NAPA shackles:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=7&SubCatId=3

 

[Wart]

First, flair nut wrenches aren't to be used in high torque applications. They break.

Have you removed the rear axle yet? If not do so now. At lweast get the axles weight off the springs.

The rear eye can be worked loose by moving the spring back and forth. You can get about half a turn ont he shackle with the front eye unhooked. Does little good to beat on the shackle or spring at first because the bushing absorbs the swat. Using a hammer is a two person act, one to swing the hammer the other to buck against the spring or shackle.


A hint on how to get the front eyes out, heres a hint: Take out the seats.

Taking something this old apart can be trying. Even desert cars rust. And if this is the first time these parts have been removed Ford has been known to overtighten some parts.

Good luck.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Thanks for the feedback Guys!

The axle is off the springs and yea you are right, I doubt that these have ever been out before!

I do not have a torch or large enough air chisel to cut through that type of metal.

As for the flair-nut wrench... Umm well that is the only extra wrench I had on hand at the time Going to buy some new wrenches today. I have craftsman ratcheting wrenches, but I didn't want to break them!

I have new shackles from JCWhitney, they are about 3/4" taller than stock. But they look like they will work fine.

I will give it another go today with some better wrenches... Cross your fingers!

Chad

 

[2muchtime]

the front bracket that holds the leaf can be removed from inside the car
there are 4 bolts for each. then you can deal with the shackle bolt.
these bolts are in the front corner of the back seat, just pull the
corner of the carpet you will see them.

you need a heavy duty breaker bar and 1/2 in drive socket to make life a little easier for the rear shackle bolt..

im almost positive the nut on the front is tack welded to the bracket
and thats how i found it easier to remove the 4 bolts.

remove one leaf at a time, do not take both off at the same time.

 

[2muchtime]

First, flair nut wrenches aren't to be used in high torque applications. They break.

A hint on how to get the front eyes out, heres a hint: Take out the seats.

Good luck.

we are not searching for gold... you know??

 

[Wart]

we are not searching for gold... you know??

?

 

[Addicted_2_II]

I got the bolt out after breaking it in two! That 3/4" bolt was a bitch to get out!!!

Below is kind of a cross post but ohh well!

Here are my new tires/wheels for when I go to the strip!

Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S Tires G60-14 (25" Tall) on 9" Alum Wheels

"Hmm looks like I need 2 more center caps!"

I may have to work on the rear suspension when I drag but for now I am taking the cheap whay out!

My new leafs and shackles should set the car up a bit more in the back. Plus these springs have one extra leaf to make them stiffer!

You can see how tired the old ones where:

I just cross my fingers and hope that everything goes together well!

Chad

 

[cyberbudda]

what you are dealing with is inside of the rubber bushings there is a metal sleeve that the bolt goes through. this will rust together and keep the bolt from coming out. without a cutting torch the best way is to use a sawzall or hacksaw to cut through the bolt or the old shackles on both sides.when putting the new shackes on eighter add grease fitting to the shackles or grease them up good before assembly to keep them working smooth.
good luck and the god news is you only have to do this once while you one the car.
Budda
http://members.tripod.com/cyberbudda/mycobra.htm

 

[Addicted_2_II]

An update on my Suspension!

Woo hoo I got it all together!

As you can see the new springs are a little too tall but I can work with that!

I need to roll the fenderwells but the tread should fit the Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S Tires G60-14 (25" Tall) on 9" Alum Wheels inside! Now the sidewall won't but I will just have to make sure they never compress that far!

I like how it came out but still needs a few tweaks!

Now all I need is an oil pan and I can put the engine back in

Chad

 

[cobra_2_76]

If I remember right the Cobra II's had 5 leaves and the standard 2+2's had 4 leaves?

Dave

 

[manny]

where did you get those springs from? i really like the amount of lift you got with them.

 

[manny]

a few years ago i installed lowering blocks that i got from racer walsh, after looking at your pics i went and looked at my car and i found that i already have the five leaf style. i would like to raise the car in order to put larger and wider tires with out the use of air shocks. my question is; on the rear end where the spring perchs are at there seems to be a "u" shaped channel of metal that the rubber isolaters go in while wrapping the leaf spring,can that "u" shaped bracket be taken off the spring perch mounting points in order to gain the lift i'm looking for? i know i will have to take off the sway bar and figure out a different way to mount it but thats ok.i would like to run 275/50-15's on 15x8 rims and bring them out level with the fender.thanks

 

[78CobraII]

Manny,

Going for that authentic '70's look, eh?

I couldn't tell if the lowering blocks were still on your car or not...if they are, removing them will get you an inch right there.

The "U" shaped channel wraps around the spring and also locates it on the axle perch. The shock mounting plate is pretty much the bottom half of that system. Both of them together enclose the rubber spring isolators and spring.

I wouldn't feel good removing any of those things for a car that will see a lot of street duty. Replacing the rubber isolators and spring bushings with polyurethane would help reduce spring wind-up and wheel hop, but would not change your ride height much.

Chad's springs look like the "High-lift" ones that JCWhitney sells:
Item ZX865260B Each $99.99
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0239622/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000023204710239622

And his shackles look like their's also:
Item ZX150054P Each $12.99
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0033662/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000016791110033662

JCW's shackle picture does not match their product, but I ordered some and found them to be exactly the same amount taller than the factory shackle.

 

[Addicted_2_II]

Manny,

Going for that authentic '70's look, eh?

I couldn't tell if the lowering blocks were still on your car or not...if they are, removing them will get you an inch right there.

The "U" shaped channel wraps around the spring and also locates it on the axle perch. The shock mounting plate is pretty much the bottom half of that system. Both of them together enclose the rubber spring isolators and spring.

I wouldn't feel good removing any of those things for a car that will see a lot of street duty. Replacing the rubber isolators and spring bushings with polyurethane would help reduce spring wind-up and wheel hop, but would not change your ride height much.

Chad's springs look like the "High-lift" ones that JCWhitney sells:
Item ZX865260B Each $99.99
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0239622/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000023204710239622

And his shackles look like their's also:
Item ZX150054P Each $12.99
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0033662/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000016791110033662

JCW's shackle picture does not match their product, but I ordered some and found them to be exactly the same amount taller than the factory shackle.

78CobraII, you are correct... I got them from JCW!

They are just a bit tall for my needs and the shackle was about 3/4" taller too!

But they fit and look good IMHO!
Chad