The rear monoleaf spring bushings on my '67 RS are in fairly poor shape, so I wanted to replace them with a polyurethane set. I now have the set in-hand; however, I need to know what is the best (and safest) way to raise the car up to relieve the pressure on the front and rear spring mounts, so that I can disconnect the bushing bolts and replace the bushings?

The only spot I can see that might even be a fair jacking point would be to put a 2x4 under the rear sheet metal (just behind the gas tank) and try to raise the body up enough to take the weight off of the springs. However, there must be a better way than that.

So, if anybody out there has replaced the rear spring bushings on their '67 to '69 Camaro, I'd love to know how you raised it up (in your garage at home, for example).

Thanks!

 

You dont want to raise the car up that far back, you may get wrinkles in the quarter panels. Jack up the car from the rear end and put jack stands under your front perch mounts. You can then remove the rear mount bolts and let the rear end down slowly and replace the bushings.

 

My frame is tied, so when I went to replace my springs, I used the sub frame connectors to lift the car. When you go to take your springs out, your going to want to have a couple jack stands under your rear end too.

Also, I believe those bushings are a press fit. Do you have a press or are you going to take it to a spring shop to have the new ones pressed in? Might be a good time to replace the perch pads too.

 

Not sure if any press-fit is involved, as the replacement bushings are simply two halves, that go into the spring-eyes, front and rear. Thanks for the ideas; will report on how it all goes.

 

No, the bushings aren't a press fit. You may have some fun though, with the front ones. The metal sleeve likes to weld itself to the bolt, and there isn't swinging room to beat the bolt out. If all you get is spin-spin-spin, it would be easier then to buzz the bolts off with a sawzall and replace them.

 

i jacked the car up by the pumpkin and rested it on jack stands on rear frame rails then used the floor jack to support the rearend while changing one spring at a time.

 

If your bushings are bad more than likely the springs should probably be replaced as well and this would be the best time to do it!!! JMHO

 

Camaro 69,

hmm, I believe you, but I always had the idea they were a press fit into the spring eye. My original mono leaf had aftermarket aluminum bushings that were pressed in, and when I got my new springs, they came with a one piece bushings that I was told would be pressed out so my new aluminium bushings could be pressed in. I dunno, maybe it's just the aluminum that needs to be pressed in?

Also, Bob said his were two piece. I wonder if that's something with Energy Suspension or are the stock bushings for the spring eye two piece as well? I know the shackle bushings on the rear frame are two piece.

 

You know, you are right about that StoveBolts, I have replacement poly bushings on the mind, which is what Bob is putting on. This could be looked at as a trick question.
Poly bushings are two piece with a steel bolt sleeve in the middle. But the factory rubber ones also have an outer metal sleeve vulcanized to it, that is pressed into the spring eye. You don't have to press them out though if you don't wanna. Some drilling and torching can remove the inner rubber portion, and the outer sleeve can get cut with a hacksaw or sawzall (yay, get to use the sawzall again). I'd use poly bushings for replacement if it were mine anyway.

 

Yeah, nothing like the smell of smoldering rubber Crack's got nothing on it I'm telling ya! (I dunno why I find that icon entertaining lol!)

Gad, for 10 bucks you can have the old one piece pressed out

Hey, I learned something today anyway! Had no idea they made them two piece.

I sure hope you can appreciate my sense of humor LOL!