Guys,
I just lowered the front of my '59 this weekend and it can be a tough job. Maybe my lessons learned can make this smoother for you.
I removed the 2nd and 3rd (shortest) leaves and flip then to push down against the main leaf. This basically (manually) de-arched the main spring and gave me about 3.5-4inches of lowering.
Removal:
1. Jack frame until tires are off ground and put in jack stands.
2.Have another jack slightly lifting against the axle for support and remove the upper shock mount bolt.
3. Remove the u-bolts and the shock by lowering the axle.
4. Remove the rear 1in pivot leaf eye bolt and let the leaf pack rest on the axle.
5. Remove all front shackle bolts and wiggle the rear of the spring until the shackle ends work themselves loose from being pressed on.
6. On your workbench use c-clamps on both sides of the spring pack center bolt for support and remove the center bolt.
7. Evenly loosen c-clamps and the spring pack will fall apart. Wire brush and grease, or poly liner the leaves.
8. Reassemble minus some leaves, use my method above however you plan on lowering it.
Re-instal:
1. Instal rear pivot spring eye bolt.
2. Jack axle up to aling the spring eye center bolt into the small hole on the axle.
3. Snug in your u-bolts to hold it together and so the center bolt doesn't move out of the alignment hole on the axle.
4. Lift the axle (via jack) to the correct height to align the shackle ends and tighten the 4-shackle bolts 25-35lbs, * I broke one over tightening the on mine.
5. Install the top of the shock and you're ready to torque everything.
Repeat on the other side (you'll need plenty of penitrating oil on these old bolts)
After you take it around the block (test drive) retighten everything. This took me all day so make sure you have plenty of time and some help.
Good luck,
have fun and be safe!!!
jason
