Off the transmission for a while. When turning and accelerating I would hear a clunk in the rear.
After finding nothing rolling around in the trunk I crawled under the Coug and checked out the rear
end. Looking at the shakles I see there is NO bushings on the shakle/leaf springs or shakle/car on
either side. So my question is how hard are these to change? Is there anything tricky to it? Am I wrong
to think all I need to do is loosen the nut, pull out the bolt and replace with new ones w/bushings and
tighten? Do I need to put a jack stand under the leaf spring? Need to take weight off the wheels? Not wanting
to take a bolt out and have the leaf spring take my head off…
Thanks,
Larney
I’m nervous for you!! Even though the change out is a simple process,…you’re right about being cautious. Springs have stored energy and if not properly de-energized, can cause harm to you and possibly sheet metal damage to your rear valance. Lift/support the car up by the body at the rear torque box, forward from the front mount of your leaf spring. What you want to achieve is a neutral load on your leaf springs equally. Slightly before the rear tires leave the ground is neutral,… it’s kind of something you have to get a feel for. You may have to use a floor jack under the center of the differential and lift it a little, to assist in achieving a neutral load. Never stand in back of the car in a line with the spring or lay down below the leaf springs to remove the shackle and bolt assy., remove it from a side angle away from any possible recoil action. You will know when you have reached a neutral load, as the shackle bolt assy. will slide out with minimal effort,… if the bolts are not rusted inside the rubber bushing. Take your time with the jack setup, be careful and keep at arms reach when working around the leaf spring. Replace all eight bushings,…at the shackle, both the leaf spring eye and frame rail mounting points. If you are not 100% comfortable about doing this,…take it to a professional!