73 Rear Spring Restoration
I am restoring the rear spring on my '73. All has gone well but I am having a problem with the spring bushing retainers on each end of the bottom spring leaf. I had to pry the old ones out of the spring and the trailing arms and thought I would have to drive or press the new ones in but the new ones fit very loosely and need to be "flaired" to fit tightly. My question is "how do I flair the ends of the retainers to hold them in place on the spring. NOTE: I had the trailing arms professionally rebuilt so they installed the retainers on them.
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Re: 73 Rear Spring Restoration
Don
this topic has been covered many times on the Tech Board and in the Restorer mag.
here is the most recent thread on the subject from just the other day with good photos and tips to make the cups look factory installed.
whoops now I see this is your first post. So, you may not have been on the tech board before. In any case, good to have you here.
Don H -
Re: 73 Rear Spring Restoration
Hi Don,The easy way is to find a socket about the dia. of the retainer, and place the socket under the retainer ,then use a couple of ball peen hammers and start the flare process and once the flare is started flip the ball peen over to the flat side and flatten out.The whole process takes about 5 minutes.New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.Comment
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Re: 73 Rear Spring Restoration
Hi Don,
You've gotten some good advice and a good link so I'll just say Welcome! too.
I'm glad to see you posting on the DB and hope to read more from you!
Regards,
Alan71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
Mason Dixon Chapter
Chapter Top Flight October 2011Comment
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Re: 73 Rear Spring Restoration
Hello, most every first time question gets a "it's in the archives" response from someone, so congratulations! Keep those questions coming, it renews interest in certain projects, and maybe others will chime in with even different ways of doing things! Pictures are always great too. From a fellow '73 owner...cheers!
1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE coupe owned 10 months
Victory Hop Devil Ale-currently on tap!Comment
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Re: 73 Rear Spring Restoration
I made a tool that will flare the cups nicely, it's modeled after another member's idea. If you'd like to borrow it let me know. Have fun!!Comment
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