Simple question here, whats the process to remove them? I was thinking I needed to drop the rear end at first, but now I'm thinking if I get some spring compressors I might be able to work it out of there and install the new one without having to do that.

I did search, only found stuff on front suspension.

 

Real easy. Put the rear end up on the chassis and not the axle and use a spring compressor. You don't even need to compress them that much.

Rent a spring compressor from your local auto shop.

 

You don't need a spring compressor.

Just jack the car up, unbolt the shocks so the rearend will drop down and the springs will be loose enough to be pulled from the perches.

 

I just replaced mine. I jacked my car up and put the jackstands on the chassis rails, but even with the axle hanging I just couldn't get the springs out. There really wasn't any tension on the springs, I didn't have enough room to wiggle them out. I tried getting a spring com-presser's on there too, but it was just to cumbersome. I tried putting my jack on the far side of the axle in hopes of tilting the other side....didn't work. I even had the bright idea of cutting the spring with a grinder DO NOT TRY THIS,,,,to much potential for problems! Finally I got my scissor jack out....set it on my brake drum and wedged a couple of scrap 2 x 4's up into the top of the wheel well.....couple of twists and it had that extra 2 - 3 inches it needed. Seemed very simple once I finally did it....although I was at my wit's end before I figured it out.
Worked for me

 

Did you unbolt the shocks?

 

Oh Yes....of course.....probably should have said that....was changing out the shocks at the time so they were completely off the car.

 

I recall the swaybar being the other thing holding the axle up, once I pulled mine after the shocks while redoing the rear I recall just pulling the spring out by hand. I could be nuts though.

 

Once you unbolt the shocks, the rear should sag more than enough to remove the springs.

However, after 20+ years the bushings in the links will bind. So you're left with whatever movement the flexing of the rubber bushings will allow, because they won't spin properly anymore. Probably a good indication that its time for some good Urethane bushings.








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evil, when I did the SA, I unbolted the rear sway bar links which allowed a little more travel to pull spring out. With the frame on jack stands a second person can lean on the tire a little allowing the couple extra inches to remove. If you are putting in the springs you mentioned to me they'll just go in easy peasy, but I do have a spring compressor (will need for the front to do safely but shouldn't need for the rear) you are welcome to use or if you need a hand just hollar

 

I just took it to Ben's shop...still got no motivation to work on the car :o