• Home
  • Article Directory
    • Automotive >
      • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
      • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
      • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
      • How to Increase Fuel Economy
      • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
      • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
      • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
      • How to Replace a Door Panel
      • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
      • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
    • Business >
      • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
      • How to Create Order Forms
      • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
      • How to Promote your New Small Business
      • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Anti virus/Anti malware >
        • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
        • How to Remove Keyloggers
        • How to Remove Conficker Malware
        • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
        • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
      • How to Change the Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower
      • How to Install a Chain Link Fence Gate
      • How to Seed Flagstone Walkways With Moss
  • Contact Me
  • Amazon Deals
  • Zazzle.com/TomCom
TomComKnowsHow
  • Home
  • Article Directory
    • Automotive >
      • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
      • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
      • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
      • How to Increase Fuel Economy
      • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
      • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
      • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
      • How to Replace a Door Panel
      • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
      • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
    • Business >
      • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
      • How to Create Order Forms
      • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
      • How to Promote your New Small Business
      • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Anti virus/Anti malware >
        • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
        • How to Remove Keyloggers
        • How to Remove Conficker Malware
        • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
        • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
      • How to Change the Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower
      • How to Install a Chain Link Fence Gate
      • How to Seed Flagstone Walkways With Moss
  • Contact Me
  • Amazon Deals
  • Zazzle.com/TomCom

How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs

Picture
Rear leaf springs
Whether your Leaf Springs are sprung or you just want to upgrade your suspension, replacing them is a fairly straightforward process. This job can be done in the driveway in a couple of hours. Even faster with the use of power tools! Obviously, differences between Makes and Model years, foreign and domestics, cars and trucks will have some affect on the steps as outlined in this tutorial. This article describes replacing the rear leaf springs of a 1994 Nissan Std. Pickup Truck. Even so, these steps should prove universal for most rear wheel drive vehicles.
Things You'll Need:
* Hydraulic floor Jack
* Jack Stands
* Wheel Chocks
* Metric or Standard Wrenches & Impact Sockets
* Lug Wrench or Impact Wrench
* Pry Bar
* 16 oz. Ball Peen Hammer
* Replacement Leaf Spring Packs
* Install Kit (eye bolts, u-bolts, shackles and rubber or polyurethane bushings)
* Drop Cloth



#ad
1. Purchase all necessary tools and parts ahead of time, especially when working on your only vehicle, to avoid the necessity of reinstalling old parts so that you can drive to the auto parts store. This means having the right tools, springs and install kit (eye bolts, u-bolts, spring shackles and rubber bushings) before you begin.

2. Chock a front wheel, to prevent forward and backward movement. Using a Lug wrench, loosen the lugs of both rear wheels. Safer to remove the rear wheels to gain access than to crawl under the vehicle. Even with jack Stands, accidents can happen!

3. Remove the leaf springs as follows. Roll the Hydraulic floor Jack up underneath the Differential. Rotate and center the plate so the tabs won't damage the cover. Raise the rear end until both tires clear the floor. Do not raise up too high, since a steep angle can cause Jack Stands to kick out. Place Jack Stands under the frame rails, just ahead of both forward spring mounts. Slowly, lower the rear end down until the frame settles onto the Jack Stands with the tires off of the ground. Leave the floor Jack under the Differential. Before removing the tires, rock the vehicle to insure that the Jack Stands are properly placed and the vehicle is stable.

4. Remove the lock nuts and washers from the Shock Absorbers lower mounting stud welded to the base plate below the spring pack. After rotating the shocks out of the way, remove the U-bolt's nuts and washers. Release any spring pressure against the base plate by easing the rear end down slightly.

5. Raise the rear end, once the base plate is removed, until the axle tube separates from the leaf spring pack. You may need to pry the spring pack off of the centering pin.

6. Remove the through bolt from the forward spring mount. Hold the spring, as you pry the knuckle out from the mounting flanges, careful not to pry against the Jack Stands. Lay the front of the spring on the ground and move to the rear. Remove the nuts, washers and outer plate. Slide the spring off of the shackle pin and set it out of the way. Drive the shackle and rubber or polyurethane bushing out of the tube welded to the frame.


PictureLeaf spring installation kit
7. Install the replacements. Take the shackles, bushings, and through bolts from the installation kit. The kit should include a packet of lithium grease. Only meant to help start the bushings into the spring knuckles, any other type of grease will damage the rubber or neoprene bushings. You should find two sizes of bushings. The larger ones fit the spring knuckles, the smaller fit the shackle (to the rear).

PictureSpring shackle
8. Insert the shackle bushing into the welded tube. Slide the hinge pin of the inner shackle plate through the steel sleeve of the bushing. Load the bushings into the leaf springs. Determine the orientation the of the spring pack, by comparing it with the original. You may find no difference, measuring from the center. In that case, it doesn't matter. But, if there is a difference, turning one forward and the other backward will cause the rear axle to 'dog leg,' and the vehicle won't track straight. This misalignment will cause premature tire wear. Slide the rear bushing & spring onto the shackle and attach the outer plate. Do not tighten the lock nuts yet.

9. Raise the front of the leaf spring, fit it between the forward mounts and slide the bolt through. Again, do not tighten the lock nut.

10. Slowly ease the rear end down until it contacts the spring. Align the center pin. Install the new U-bolts into the lower base plate. Now, tighten all the lock nuts to the Manufacturer's specified torque.
Worth mentioning this here since it may apply to your vehicle. If you have pads or spacers for your leaf spring pack, sandwiched them into place during this process in the order which they were removed.

11. Reconnect the Shock Absorbers to the base plate, torquing to specs. Reinstall the tires but just snug the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle to remove the Jack Stands and set it down. Now, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Don't forget to remove those wheel chocks!
Happy Motoring!

Tips
* Mark the leaf springs as you remove them to help determine orientation.
* Always replace the hardware, reusing old stressed steel is unsafe!
* If you have room, stack the tires under the body of the vehicle as a precaution.
* Now is the ideal opportunity to replace those old worn out Shock Absorbers!
* New Leaf Springs and pneumatic Shocks will make your vehicle feel young again.


Copyright 03/18/2009 All Rights Reserved. Questions? Comments? Contact Me
Related Articles:
Automotive


#ad

Copyright © TomComKnowsHow

  • Home
  • Article Directory
    • Automotive >
      • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
      • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
      • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
      • How to Increase Fuel Economy
      • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
      • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
      • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
      • How to Replace a Door Panel
      • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
      • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
    • Business >
      • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
      • How to Create Order Forms
      • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
      • How to Promote your New Small Business
      • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Anti virus/Anti malware >
        • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
        • How to Remove Keyloggers
        • How to Remove Conficker Malware
        • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
        • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
      • How to Change the Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower
      • How to Install a Chain Link Fence Gate
      • How to Seed Flagstone Walkways With Moss
  • Contact Me
  • Amazon Deals
  • Zazzle.com/TomCom