Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[D4B]

Looking for some advice please (Honda TN7 pick up truck 1977)

1) having never removed a leaf spring from a vehicle before, am I correct in assuming that with the vehicle jacked up and supported on the chassis by axle stands (all weight off of wheels and suspension) the leaf springs can be unbolted removed, and then refitted without the need for struggling against spring tension?

2) Trying to remove the rear upper spring hanger bolts, but they have rusted solid into the metallastic bushes, so much so that you can feel the spanner springing back against the stretching rubber in the bush...

Any advice on how to crack these? Obviously they have been soaked in
Plusgas already but no go yet.....

Thanks Steve

[kevin2306]

Im assuming that as well as the stands under the chassis you have supported the axle? I usually use 2 more axle stands and a trolley jack to to this task. As for the bolts, if new ones are available then id cut them off and drift them through. If not then a large breaker bar may crack them? Make sure to apply a smear of copper grease when re-asembling to prevent these problems in future.

Kev

[websnail]

Only done it on my old Landrover.
Disk cutter to remove the pins as required.
If the springs are rusted and have spread, take care when cutting the U bolts as they go-with-a-bang

[colwyn500]

Steve, I have done that job with my Austin. If you haven't already done I would take off the axle; the weight won't be helping you and then it should mean there is little or no tension in the spring. Although watch the hanger when it does move because there might be tension in that that could give whiplash.

It looks like you might have fiddle about with a hacksaw to cut the shackle bolts or maybe there is access for a fine cutting disc. I have tried everything including burning away the rubber (extinguisher at the ready) which might heat things enough to get the pin moving with a whack.

It's pretty unlikely that the inner sleeve of that elastic bush is going to let go of the bolt that passes through it judging by the corrosion you have shown elsewhere on the pickup. Good luck with it...it's got to come off eventually.

[ka]

I can only echo the previous advice. ensure all is supported, and plan to sacrifice the metallastic bushes and bolts; then get the angle grinder ready!
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

[D4B]

Wow, all great advice, so before I proceed I will check if the bushes are available and report back....

Thanks

[D4B]

Well I ended up buying a pair of new rear shackle bushes from CMS in
the Netherlands, as there was no way the rusted ones were going to let go!!

Today I cut them off using a thin 4.5" cutting disc on an angle grinder, so
now I can crack on with cleaning up the whole underside of the truck.

[Jim.Walker]

Assuming you remove the shackle pins and bushes O.K. (some good advice above).
One thing often overlooked is that tightening shackle pins passing through metalastic bushes (usually called silent-bloc bushes in my day) with the suspension relaxed and "hanging" will usually wind-up the said bushes and trap them under torsional strain so that they fail prematurely, as well as often "jacking up" that end of the vehicle. Looking as if the springs are too strong!
Tighten everything with the vehicle STOOD ON ITS WHEELS. NOT with the suspension HANGING!
This is a safer way of tightening nuts and bolts in any suspension re-build.
Jim
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[D4B]

Thanks Jim, makes sense to me, I will have to loosely reassemble
the springs, hanger and axle while it is still laying on it's side then
once it's back on it's wheels I can make sure it's all aligned and tighten
up as you suggest.

Mind you that's not until after the whole underside of the truck is cleaned
up derusted and waxoyl shutzed

Steve

[Jim.Walker]

Steve, I should have added "bounce the vehicle on its suspension if possible to settle everything into working position - then tighten up"
Jim,
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[D4B]

Ok will do cheers

[colwyn500]

Ah but, won't working position on the pickup be when a heavy load such as two bags of flour and a bag of candy-floss is placed on the flatbed?

[D4B]

[D4B]

It's all going back together now ~ thanks for all your help

[BigJohn]

Steve, now make a big paper sign to stick to the steering wheel, SHACKLES LOOSE.
because when your on your wheels excitement will take over, and you'll be off!

Unless you want Prelude style rear wheel steering of course.