1962 rear leaf spring installation

[Larry C.]

According to the ST-12 manual, the rear leaf spring hanger is installed with the bracket/pin assembly pointing outboard with the shackle plate and nuts installed from the outside. Other than absolute correctness, is there a reason the bracket/pin assembly shouldn't be installed in the reverse direction? I first attached (loosely) the front hanger to the frame support and then attempted to install the rear shackle assembly; however, with the position of the rear spring eyelet, the shackle bracket/pin assembly can not be installed per the manual as the rear butt end of the frame extends beyond the rear crossmember about 1/2 inch and won't allow the bracket/pin assembly to be inserted towards the outside. If I disconnect the front spring bracket from the frame, am sure I could then move the leaf spring assembly rearward enough for the shackle bracket/pin assembly to be installed as shown in the ST-12; however, I would then have to reposition the front bracket so that the four bolts could be installed in the front spring hanger, which may be very difficult due to the arch of the spring assembly.

The differential housing is currently suspended from the frame with wire and once the leaf springs were completely installed, I intended to simply drop the "empty" differential housing down to the proper positions on the top of leaf springs and then install the U-bolts. Rebound straps have not yet been installed, so the housing is free to be moved around except that the brake line is still attached.

ST-12 instructions under the heading "Spring Leaf Replacement/installation", page 4-5, seem to describe the installation that is not entirely consistent with 61-62 Corvettes.

I have read an article by Joe Calcagno on the installation process, and while I don't dispute his method, am wondering if there could be other ways of getting the job done.

Any comments/suggestions welcome, particularly as regards to installing the rear shackle bracket/pin assembly in the reverse direction from the ST-12 illustration.

Thanks in advance,

Larry Chilton

[Keith R.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Can't quite picture what the issue is. Can you post some photos?

[Larry C.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

With the assistance of some folks on Corvette Forum, I got the job done.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Larry, I totally missed your post as I'd have replied. Glad you got it resolved. I understand the issue.

Did you install the rear shackle from out to in or in to out? Always seemed the install direction was harder, but the springs were installed on the frame prior to body drop and much easier to get the shackle past the crossmember obstruction.

When I build a frame I install the rear shackles first then the front perch assembly with the bolts to frame. As you say it allows you to move the spring rearward for the shackle to clear the crossmember, then swing it forward into the front perch.

When the body is on it's a pain to get original configuration in place, but rear first then front is mandatory for original rear shackle placement.

Rich

[Larry C.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Hey, Rich,

This was not a body-off restoration job and I had had my springs re-arched about 30 years ago. I tried both ways of installing springs but due to the arch in my springs, the only way I could get it done was to install with the rear shackle pointing inwards, not outwards as shown in ST-12 and other service manuals. Installing pointing inwards was nearly a "piece of cake", so since the functionality was not compromised, I decided to go that way.

Besides, with all the years gone by, what I used to get done before breakfast, now takes me 2-3 days, and lots of sore muscles.

All comments and suggestions are appreciated. Great photos, Rich.

Larry

[Frank C.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Larry, I have the same shackel problem with my '57 body off. I cannot install the shackles per the AIM or service manual (nuts outboard) so I want to reverse them as you did. What I want to be sure of is did you end up OK? No interference with the body or anything else after you got your's running? I have a further complication with replacement springs from Paragon. They interfere with the rear x-member (see pic). There is no way to get the spring to where you could install the shackels with the bolts outboard unless I'm missing something. In the picture I have both ends of the spring attached; the front is to spec., the rear has the shackel on the only way I can get it to go. Thanks, Frank Condron

[Larry C.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Frank,

I have not experienced any interference issues with the rear shackles installed with the bolts facing inward. My springs and shackles are all original to my car. Have you put any weight on the frame since reversing the shackle bolts? I would think it would not make any difference whether the shackle bolts went either way but if the reproduction springs interfere with the cross member, reversing the shackle bolts would not create any more interference.

Larry

[Frank C.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Thank you for your reply. My point on the interference was that that the steel spring band hangs up on the leading edge of the x-member and thus make it even harder to get the rear spring eye to a position where I could insert the shackle as shown in the AIM. Thanks again for the reassurance.

[Loren S.]

Re: 1962 rear leaf spring installation

Frank - I just changed my springs and bushings with the body on my 59. The bolts and nuts were facing outward when I started, and that is how I reinstalled them. If they were turned around, there is not enough space between the mount and the body to pull out the shackle. It's a little harder to tighten the nuts when they are outboard like mine, because you can't get a socket on the top mounts, but you can tighten them with a ratchet wrench. Keep in mind that your rubber bushings will wear out in a few years and you will be glad you mounted with the bolts outboard when need to remove the shackle to replace the bushings.