Well, I got the Dart jacked up and started to pull the old springs off. I got the front nuts loose but can't break anything else. I've been soaking the crap out of all the nuts for a couple days with penetrating lube. I've got new U bolts, so I'm probably just going to cut those off. Quick question. I've got the rear axle on jack stands. When I break the springs loose, I'll need to have the body supported (ie bumper jack or similar) right? The shop manual doesn't have pics of that and is a little cryptic in the description. Thanks.

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'66 Dart 270 convertible, 225, stock

I would set it on jackstands under thr frame where they are out of the way.

At the front, are you loosening the big spring eye nuts or the 4 smaller hanger nuts on the front side of the frame where the mount is?

Also, there are 2 bolts in each rear hanger. Pulling the hangers out makes the job a ton easier.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I loosened the spring eye nut. I think I'm going to pull the hangers out too. I might as well replace them also since I'm in there. Now that you mention it, yeah it will make it easier. Thanks!

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'66 Dart 270 convertible, 225, stock

Its way easier to pull hangers with the springs.....you will likely need to modify them anyway.

Make sure you get GOOD new shackles....or make yer own.

http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic ... c&start=15

This thread has some info on springs, shackles and hangers

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

-- just finally did this on my 62 valiant----- do not lift the car too high off the ground-- as mentioned before take the hangers out on both the front/rear--- much easier. I did one side at a time & re-used my old "u" bolts-- I also used air tools-- helps a bunch. I used the jc whitney springs-- raised my car quite a bit-- now my 235/60/14's will not be scraped traveling over the potholes=---so all is good, Lawrence

Thanks again and again for the tips.

I got the springs from JC Whitney. Shackles, bolts, & U bolts from ESPO. Hangers are also coming from ESPO. Yes, I will need to modify them a bit to fit the JCW springs. Should be a fun project for the next couple days.

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'66 Dart 270 convertible, 225, stock

Oh, you guys miss your chance for fun & character-building, in cutting your u-bolts off instead of doing what you have to do to get the shackle nuts off and reusing the old ones. How do you expect to be able to bust your way out of jail if you ever have to with that kind of attitude??

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1964 Dart 225 1966 Valiant 225
1966 Dart 273 1966 Barracuda 273
1969 Dart 225
'64-170 engine '66-170 engine
(two) 198 crank/rod sets in custom-fitted wooden boxes

wooden motor scooter with hybrid-electric drive

Its not even worth trying to get the old U bolts off... as fine of a thread as they use, it's real easy to strip out as you back off the nuts, or twist the U bolt off just above the nut... I put a wrench on for kicks but about 98% of the time I wind up removing them the quick way with a set of torches, then go back with new.... the other 2% of the time, the bolts have been replaced fairly recently.

I must have lucked out -- just wire brushed them/then pb blasted them & they came off fairly e-z-- I do not have a great impact tool --just an old craftsman that works for me..
on another note I had a parts car some years ago-- the prior owner used all thread bent over the axle tube.

If you want to see the height difference I posted pics the amgle is not the best --but look over the rear tire & you get the idea

http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ ... rowse/3670

What I do is use a nut splitter; with the angled type of splitter you can get to all four nuts. Then, they unscrew real easy, but still do a great job of cleaning the threads, just as well as if you ran a thread-cleaning die over them. Haven't had to buy new u-bolts yet.

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1964 Dart 225 1966 Valiant 225
1966 Dart 273 1966 Barracuda 273
1969 Dart 225
'64-170 engine '66-170 engine
(two) 198 crank/rod sets in custom-fitted wooden boxes

wooden motor scooter with hybrid-electric drive