1989 Bronco II Spring questions

[Tedybear]

Anything else I should bring along? My portable wrench set only goes to 3/4" and now I'm wondering about the leaf spring bolts....(gotta plan this one out correct.)

S-

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I usually use a wrench for the coil springs, it's easier to get in there if you have to do it by hand. Years ago when I first started working on 'em I had a buddy tell me to go pick up one of those double-ended wrenches for hitch balls, at the time they were $10 each and long enough to get some leverage. I still have it sitting in my toolbox although I have a set of large Craftsman wrenches now that get most of the use.

IIRC, leaf spring bolts are metric, but usually you can jam a 13/16 socket on there. Usually have to use a breaker bar and a cheater pipe on it to get them broke free (if they'll come free). I usually use a 4.5" angle grinder if they don't come free easy, but you could use a cordless sawzall or hacksaw to cut the bolts. I forget what size the U-bolts are, it'd take a deep well socket or just cut the U-bolts.

I would definitely take some penetrating lube. IMHO, I'd use either acetone and ATF (50/50 mix, IIRC) or Seafoam Deep Creep. A small torch (MAPP or Acetylene) would help too if you have one. The little propane "plumbers" torches aren't worth crap for what you'll be doing.

 

[Tedybear]

That will make things interesting. The pick and pull yards are pretty strict. No power tools and No torches. I did just pick up a new "cheater" pipe (1" dia and 18" long) worked a treat when doing the wife's car repairs with frozen mounting bolts <G>.

I'll gather up the stuff this afternoon from the garage/barn. I changed out the coil springs in the F250 we used to have. If memory serves? I managed to get a deep well socket and a breaker bar on the nut. (But it was a god-awful time getting that to work)

S-

 

[Tedybear]

Well, that was a fun whole day in the yard. Even found an 89' bronco II being stripped.

We went with a 1992 Explorer. 2 door and it had the option packages with all the bells and whistles. (A/C and full electric) It was the ONLY explorer we could find in the yard. I was told they had several---but they must have been hiding.

The rear springs are a normal thick 3 pack. They actually came out in decent shape with the bushings in really good shape. (The bolts where not rusted in place like they usually are)

The front coils? Not so much luck.

Snapped off my adapter first try when I was trying to get a part for the wife's tibby...
Wound up snapping the internals out of SIX!! Ratchets! Trying to get the nut off for the coils. Wound up going to TSC for a new extension for a tenner. (Napa wanted $34 for a 8" long 1/2 drive extension.) And picked up another ratchet.

It took about 4 hours to get the coils out. Crank it left...right...left.....and try to make progress. I hope it doesn't matter what side came off what....The wheel barrow fell over on the way out LOL.

The biggest annoying thing? Some arseclown pulled the diff cover. So there was gear oil all over the place! If someone needs a diff cover? Spend a few bucks and get a new one! About every 3rd car had the diff cover yanked! So if anyone needs a complete axle? They are now screwed due to all the dirt and dust blowing around the place!

edit: Yes I used a breaker bar first to kick things free. As a side bar note? The guy at the counter said "I'm not sure who told you not to bring cordless tools? We allow them, just not any cutting tools". I could have reached over the counter and slapped the guy! Because I was told under NO circumstances are any---ANY power tools to be allowed.

I'm still on the fence weather to pull one of the helper leafs from my old pack and use it with the new pack as mentioned in the tech notes. My current springs have a 'reverse arc' already.

Should I go for it anyway? And how much lift/correction should I expect from the coil springs?

Have a great day!

S-