Bizzo Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Hi Guys, Haven't posted on here in ages, mainly because I don't have a w-body anymore. My brother recently purchased a 94 Cutty and his leaf spring cracked in half because the mounting arm? on the driver's side broke that was holding up the spring. We called around a few places and every says we have to order the part from the dealer and the dealre wants $500. Is there anywhere else I could find this part a lot cheaper? used or new. There aren't too many junkyards around here but i will try to contact them to see if they have any used one. Otherwise anybody have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92 GP Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 shit i've got one in my garage...u'd have to take the bushings off ur old one. What's ur zip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92 GP Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 btw mine is perfectly good. It's got some miles, but my rear was not sagging at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalgorn Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 http://www.gmpartsdirect.com #22188503 ($367.92 w/ shipping) or #22188504 ($342.05 w/ shipping) Not sure which one it is. One was listed as "Spring, Rear" and the other was "Spring". They're both the same picture though. 504 is listed as a heavy duty spring and 503 is listed as a standard spring but 504 is pricier. Someone else will have to reply to this to double-check, but those are the two parts that are showing up. Big difference from the $500. Listed as special order though so expect a little while for shipping (like 2 weeks I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Shit you guys respond quick! I appreciate it. As far as my zip goes it's 13126 and thanks for the quotes on gmpartsdirect. 92gp let me know how much you want for that one in your garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Try http://www.car-part.com . Most of the boneyards affiliated with the site will ship the part to you. You should be able to find a yard that has a leaf spring within spitting distance of your house through that site, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakefxgp96 Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Since the topic came up, i have one that is bent slightly. SHould i replace mine too? Also, try you-pull-it type junk yards. I bet it would cost you less than $30, or in some cases free if the place cant even identify what you pulled. I went to one last weekend and got 11 parts, they only charged me for 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Well i've found the leaf spring for a lot cheaper than the dealer price. My next question is how hard would this be for us to do ourselves? My dad is mechanically inclined and has been working on cars all his life, but we don't have a garage and only have a limited set of tools. Any one who has done this recently care to tell me what tools and amount of labor and expertise is involved in changing out the rear leaf spring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabz Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Well i will explain how i did it. Place the rear on jack stands, remove tires, place hydrolic jack under knuckle and jack it up enough so it holds the strut up. You will need to loosen the 2 - 15mm bolts at the top of the strut. *** If you dont have the jack in place to hold the spring youll be in trouble**** Lower the jack slowley and make sure that the strut is free to move and not stuck in place. Lower the jack until there is no more tension in the spring. Repeat on other side. Remove center jack pad and both plates which hold the spring up. (10mm bolts) You may have to remove the bolt holding the trailing arm on one side to get the spring out, or put the replacement in. I recommend removing the bolt at the front or the trailing arm. (i had no luck removing the other bolt connected to the knucle) i think this is an 18mm bolt?? possible 15mm. I have pictures i can post later today. EDIT: There is another method with a leaf spring compressor. (Gnatgosplat) And to answer your orignal question. Fairly easy, I have done this 4-5 times already, and can get it done in about 2 hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92 GP Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 yea if you have a leafspring compressor it'll help a LOT. It's one of those tool that you can NOT rent at any store that i know of. That'd just be too damn convenient But when i pulled mine off, well i had never done it before, and i'd rather just start screwing with shit without asking questions I wound up with the knuckle on the ground (one side) and that got it out! Fortunately for you pulling yours, it's already broken, so it won't take a lot. But if you've seen the newer (good) spring, you'll notice it's almost shaped like a goddamn horseshoe! So make sure your backend is nice and high in the air to allow room just for that fucker to get up in there. FOrtunately for my install, i had the birchmount which has like 1/2 the shape the stock spring does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakefxgp96 Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 If you can invest in some tools, you can pretty much do anything on this car with the following Sockets and wrenches: T55 (starhead) 1/4" 8mm 10mm 13mm or 1/2" 15mm 18mm 21/22mm? not common though 32mm (axle socket) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 You forgot the T-60 and a 7mm socket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Thanks for the info. Yeah these cars are simple to work on and the parts for them are plentiful wish I still had mine, now i'm driving a foreign 4 banger...would love to get another possibly a GTP or a Z34 when I have some extra money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Also pictures would of the job would definitely be nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Sean threw in the factory service manuals with the cutlass. Those things are fucking great! DEFINITELY get your hands on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOHCRagtopguy Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Keep an eye on e-bay, they come up pretty often. I agree, nothing beats a factory service manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 I would get the factory service manual but my brother is the one with the wbody now not me...and since he's only 17 he doesn't have much cash...might just pick up a cheap chilton's or something though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabz Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Sorry i will post my pics when i get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 i've got a rear leaf for sale if you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Thanks but we already picked one up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabz Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 here are the pictures http://ployola.homeip.net/W-body/album/Rear%20Suspension/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizzo Posted September 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2005 Ok I have another question. We got the old leaf spring out but when we go to put the new one in the one side goes in no problem but the other side overlaps the plate the leaf spring rests on. Since I don't have the leaf spring compressor and i can't get the center bolt on the top of the strut to come off so I can get the leaf spring in place do I just drop the whole knuckle itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 bumping this thread up because I will be needing it soon....anyone have pics of a removal/install of the rear leaf spring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 bumping this thread up because I will be needing it soon....anyone have pics of a removal/install of the rear leaf spring? if you have good knowledge of cars....you should be able to figure it out when your under there..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 is it that simple? I haven't looked a rear suspension on these cars in ages....although a buddy and I managed to install drop springs on the Spyder without a problem.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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