I picked up a set of six-leaf springs I had stored at my dad's with the intention of rebuilding the spring pack in my car, but on closer inspection, I'm going to install them as a complete assembly. I have a few questions before I get started;

-Can I safely sandblast the springs to remove the surface rust?
-What kind of bushings should I get? Urethane, rubber, polygraphite, Uranium....?
-What else should I replace while I'm under there? (Bolts and nuts are a no-brainer)
-Can I re-use my two-month-old U-bolts? (I've been told they're one-use-only items)

While I'm under there, I'm going to replace my rear wheel bearings (8 1/4 rear) What kind of gear oil should I be putting in? It's a highway ratio open rear (2.45:1 Ouch.)

Thanks in advance,

Nat

_________________
1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

I would think you could blast them as long as you don't stay in one area too long.

U-bolts a one use item? I hope not. I've got a set on my '66 that have been on and off a few times.

Bushings are a matter of personal choice. The poly bushing will make the ride and handling a little firmer.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Thank you sir. What about the gear oil? Any preferred type?

Nat

_________________
1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

I used polyurethane leaf spring bushings to cure a tire rubbing under cornering issue. This was with 225/50R15 R-compound Kumho tires on the race track though. Rubber works fine for most and is quiet.

Any good 80W-90 GL-5 gear oil is fine. Synthetic is probably overkill.

Is something wrong with the wheel bearings? Now that I think about it I've never replaced wheel bearings that are installed in the housing rather than on the axle.

_________________
Joshua

With an 8 1/4 axle, you have to remove the rear cover to get the axles out of the tubes (there's a lock ring that holds them in).

Nat

_________________
1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

I know all about c-clips and having to pull the cross pin. I've just never had occasion to replace the axle bearings in any of the 8 1/4s I've owned which is why I asked what was wrong with your bearings.

_________________
Joshua

I'm getting a bit of a growl from the rear end. Sounds like the bad bearing I had in the 7 1/4 I swapped out and I already have the parts. I might wait until I get another set of gears before I open up the rear end. 2.45:1 may be good on the highway, but they're a pig in town. I can't help but wonder if the gains in fuel economy on the highway are being eaten up in the stop and go in the city with such tall gears.

Nat

_________________
1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!