Member - Borgy.. (SA) replied:

Gday Mark

Anyone with a bit of mechanical knowledge should be able to handle that job themself although a bit of help from a good mate wouldnt go astray...where abouts in Adelaide are you?? if you want give me your email addy or ph no and i might be able to help you out with some cheaper parts and someone who could do the job for you also if you like ........Cheers........Dave

Nick R (VIC) replied:

I did the springs in a rodeo, wasn't too hard, Only thing I learned was make sure you get new U bolts, don't try to re-use the old ones, ours were near enough siezed so I ended up cutting them off......

Also you will need some good stands to take the vehicle weight and a jack was useful for moving the axle around.

NickR

Member - Burto (NSW) replied:

Hi, Mark
It is a relatively straigthforward job. What you need is 2 stands to support the vehicle and another 2 to support the axle assebly, you could use a trolley jack but with the offset diff the assembly may tend to tilt.
It is then a case of removing the U bolts and the shackles, it is good idea to clean up all threads with a wire brush and a good spray with WD40 or similar.

When refitting the springs and shackles, fit the fixed shackle first and then the swinging shackle as this will give you a bit of movement to line up for the pin. If using rubber bushes use some liquid detergen or similar for lubrication, if using nolathane bushes use the supplied grease.

I fitted greaseable shackles to my 60 series with nolathane bushes it is now a simple task to grease and the nolathane bushes can do what they were designed to do and that is rotate with suspension movement not twist.

Do not tighten the shackle bolts to their final torque until the vehicle is on the ground, bounce the vehicle a few times so that the shackle bushes can rotate into their normal working position and then do your final tighten. This applies to any suspension work.

With the Ubolts tighten them to their final torque in diagonal pattern, remember that the U bolts you have tightened will loosen as the spring settles so check yheir torque a couple o times

Hope this is of assistance, good luck

Member - Burto (NSW) replied:

Hi, Again
In regards to JohnR's followup, that may happen in exceptional circumstances, given that the recommended torque is 90ftlb or 123Nm it should be quite possible to remove the U Bolt nuts with a 1/2 inch drive socket, have needed to use a "power bar" with a pipe exrension myself.

If the U bolts have been butchered or severly rusted, then extreme methods maybe needed and given that most DIY's dont have an oxy handy it is then a job for the shop.

If you want tight nuts try Mack truck U Bolts at 1500ftlbs of torque.

Regards