Posted by Paul (in NY) on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 19:29:38 :
In Reply to: Spring disassembly posted by Bill in MI on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 18:57:28 :
Bill;
This is how I do it. Put a large C Clamp on the spring (one each side about 4 inches off the center bolt). Then remove the Bolt in the retaining clips. You have a rivit so it will have to be removed. Then grind smooth the the center bolt where the nut is threaded on. The center bolt is normally peened over on the nut to lock it in place. I gind the peened area flush with the nut and unscrew. The spring is now ready to just come apart when you release the C Clamps.
To assemble reverse the above. The retaining clips can be assembled with bolts/nuts and a tube sleeve over the bolt where it contacts the spring, between each side of the retaining clip. Then put the nut on the NEW center bolt and tighten to the proper torque spec (supplied by the spring shop where you buy the center bolts). Take a hack saw and cut the center bolt off about 3/16" above the nut. Then peen the bolt over on the nut.
Usually a truck spring shop will have the tube sleeves (spacers) when you re-assemble.
Paul