Stuck spring plate removal on 50+ year old car.

[hotdogwater]

I started the rear suspension rebuild and wanted to share my experience with the spring plate removal part.

I worked on this on/off for 4 days and tried many of the suggested methods to get the torsion bar out of the spring plate end of my car.

Tried heat, drilled a hole in the cap for PB Blaster type stuff, marvel mystery oil over those 4 days, couldn't budge it. Broke one punch, bent another and then I found a post where someone tapped the hole in the cap and used a bolt to push it out. That resulted in the cap coming off but no movement on the torsion bar.




Finally got a cheap air hammer and it pushed right out in about 6 seconds. 4 days of struggle solved with a $30 tool.

Now onto a bunch of cleaning, some rust removal/treatment and reinstall. Hope this helps the next guy struggling with this task.

Some of hte tools required for this job.



Success...

[Mark Salvetti]

Air hammers are amazing. I had to replace a wheel stud on a RAV4. Hit it with a BFH and it wouldn't budge. Less than 5 seconds with an air hammer and it popped right out.

Mark

[nickelplated5s]

Ouch. I'm guessing the 70T in your 'garage?' What's going back in there?

[hotdogwater]

Originally Posted by nickelplated5s

Ouch. I'm guessing the 70T in your 'garage?' What's going back in there?

Got some sway-a-way torsion bars and elephant racing rubber bushings from Pelican. New swing arm bushings are on the way tho I don't know how/if I can get them out with the engine in the way. CVs are out/clean and ready to be re-greased.

Trying to refresh the rear end (new shocks when I can afford them) and then start on the front. This car sat for 20+ years so most of the rubber is cooked.

Now trying to decide if I paint the spring plates while I wait on some parts to arrive.