Greetings! For those who have been on back-order waiting for new leaf springs, just so you know- after a year and a half on back-order, two brand new leaf springs from JC Whitney just showed up on my doorstep - looks like now;s the time to get them while their in-stock!
See you in Carlisle,
Tom
I ordered new leaf spings for my 1979 from jc whitney, rec'd them last week and just finished the project today! Who knew 32 year old bolts were that difficult to get off!!!
Sux that they are only for wagons. I desperately need new leafs for my sedan.
I have a pair I can bring to Carisle, if you want them. Price is negotiable.
PM sent
Speedway has them for sedans at about $99 each.
Tom,
Did you get those springs mounted yet? They don't self mount you know, LOL! I wish I was there to help you do it. How about a road trip in the Pintos in the Fall this year?
John
Quote from: r4pinto on May 23, 2011, 07:55:09 AM
Sux that they are only for wagons. I desperately need new leafs for my sedan.
rpinto - you can get your springs custom made from this company in Pennsylvania plus they have a lot of the hardware to go along with them.
I had a set made for my '74 runabout with a 1" de-arc for a little lower stance. They do great work and their turnaround is usually a week or two at the most.
Ask for Laura - she usually answers the phone anyway but they'll hook you up and you won't break the bank. Prices if I remember were comparable to JCW but quality and the ability to customize was worth the little extra.
http://www.springsnthings.com/ford-suspension-parts
- BruceF
Hey Gang:
Ordered a pair of springs from JCW for my wagon. However, I have checked
many sources and cannot find a place that has U-bolts for the rear leaf springs
for Pintos. Where are you all getting new U-bolts? Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,
77pintocw
If you go to advance auto parts or autozone they sell u bolts. All you need to know is the style & width. If you have any old ones you can take them to the parts store to match up.
Quote from: 77pintocw on June 26, 2011, 12:46:16 PM
Hey Gang:
Ordered a pair of springs from JCW for my wagon. However, I have checked
many sources and cannot find a place that has U-bolts for the rear leaf springs
for Pintos. Where are you all getting new U-bolts? Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,
77pintocw
You get the full set of u-bolts, nuts, spring pads, front eye bolts & bushings (poly if you want 'em) & shackles to complete your rear-end suspension at Springs-n-Things as listed in my earlier post.
http://www.springsnthings.com/ford-suspension-parts (http://www.springsnthings.com/ford-suspension-parts)
- BruceF
I went to install these last night... Shocks off - no problem. U-Bolts and retaining plate- no problem. But I C-A-N-N-O-T get the front leaf spring bolt free and I have run out of things to try!
For now, knowing I am back to work tomorrow, I put it all back together - new shocks with old springs... anybody got any great ideas? Oh- I did get the nut off the rear shackle, but not sure I'll have a lot of success getting that bolt out either.
The garage will do it for $200... sounds cheaper than buying a whole set of air tools- no? :accident:
I've had to cut the bolts with a reciprocating saw before on the front bolts.
running the blade drown both sides for the spring eyelet
FrankBoss
Reciprocating saw.... cut the bolts..... hmm... $300 is sounding pretty good now.
Thanks!
yeap you can use a 4 1/2 disc grinder/cutter its a little faster but I love my Sawsall
FrankBoss
Hi Guys:
Great! I'll try AutoZone tomorrow and if they don't have the U-bolts I'll
order them from Springs-n-Things, thanks.
Hey 78squire:
Don't know about the front bolt but was thinking about it today when I
was looking at them. Doesn't sound too promising. However, I did notice that
the rear shackles are attached to the base of car with two bolts. I haven't
done it yet but I'm thinking if you remove the two bolts the shackle assembly
will drop down and then you will have the room to take a punch and knock
out the bolts. This is what I plan on doing, so someone let me (us) know if this
is not so.
Thanks,
77pintocs
I know some original shackles came with welded in bolts and even if you can get them off without cutting them most of the ones I've replaced have rusted under the bushings so your structural strength is reduced.
Correction after digging out my old shackle the bolts are not welded in but pressed in as seen in the pic below. Getting them out with any kind of rust around them looks like a tough job and may bend the shackle plate.
- BruceF
Pics of bad shackle from 74 pinto:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/5874925510/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/5874925510/in/photostream/)
Pics of my leaf springs from SpringsnThings .com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/3776229236/in/set-72157612862700151/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/3776229236/in/set-72157612862700151/)
Pics of rear suspension installed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/4090257233/in/set-72157612862700151 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruceflinn/4090257233/in/set-72157612862700151)