Leaf spring spreader tool

BLUESMOBILEPERTH

New Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2018
Messages
10
Reaction score
4
Location
PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Hi everyone

I have a 1976 dodge Monaco aka a Bluesmobile and am changing the bushes in the rear leaf springs. I have a manual and it says to use a spreader tool to relieve tension on the rear mount (see attached image from manual). Can anyone advise how to do this safely without the special tool?

Paul

IMG20191129150404.jpg
 
I recently changed the rear shackles on my 67 Coronet. Raise the car to relax the spring. Support the axle. Disconnect the lower shock absorber, Unbolt the spring perch nuts & U bolts. Remove the rear shackle bolts. (A drift pin may be handy here). Remove the front bushing bolt & nut. Replace the bushing.... Reverse assemble. No special tool needed.
 
Last edited:
Yup, jack car up by frame then separately Jack up the rear end to relieve pressure. You just jack the rear to the 'right' place to minimize tension.
 
I have changed a lot of leaf springs on both cars and trucks, I never knew there was a special tool. I you follow what was suggested in the 2 posts above you will get the job done.
 
Thanks for the reply but the spreader tool only applies to C bodies from 75 to 78 so yours is a different set up.

I recently changed the rear shackles on my 67 Coronet. Raise the car to relax the spring. Support the axle. Disconnect the lower shock absorber, Unbolt the spring perch nuts & U bolts. Remove the rear shackle bolts. (A drift pin may be handy here). Remove the front bushing bolt & nut. Replace the bushing.... Reverse assemble. No special tool needed.
 
thanks for everyone's response but it is obvious that no one who responded has actually removed the leaf springs from a 1975-78 C body. I ended up making my own spreader tool and the manual is correct.. DON'T attempt to remove the springs without the tool as it is dangerous to remove and impossible to replace them without one.
 
thanks for everyone's response but it is obvious that no one who responded has actually removed the leaf springs from a 1975-78 C body. I ended up making my own spreader tool and the manual is correct.. DON'T attempt to remove the springs without the tool as it is dangerous to remove and impossible to replace them without one.

Okay. Glad you got the job done.
Did you happen to take any pics to show us how the tool you made works ?
 
There's nothing special about your year car, the leaf spring is the same as in our older cars. I've done it on multiple vehicles and never used anything more than hand tools. Glad it worked out for you, and please, share those pictures, we all love homemade tools, I've got a couple!
 
I will post some photos and then it will be clear that it can't be done without a tool to spread the spring as it is under tension so if any bolts are just done without the tool it will violently spring back under load.
 
thanks for everyone's response but it is obvious that no one who responded has actually removed the leaf springs from a 1975-78 C body. I ended up making my own spreader tool and the manual is correct.. DON'T attempt to remove the springs without the tool as it is dangerous to remove and impossible to replace them without one.
I use a 2x4 stretcher when I do springs, but they are hard to come by and impossible to fabricate yourself...
 
I'm always looking to learn and interested in what was special here. You're right I've never done it on a formal. And you're also right that all leafs are under tension
 
Back
Top