Rear Springs

[mac]

This morning I am trying to replace my rear springs with some heavy duty springs..I thought it would be easy, but I can't seem to open the gap between the axle and the lower plate to remove the old springs, I am trying to do one side at a time..It seems the the rear axle and engine and lower skid plate are all one unit..Any help would be appreciated
Mac

[NO NO NO E-Z-GO!]

Did you loosen the U-bolts? Put a jack under the engine cradle/rear end and jack stands under the cart frame. Loosen the U-bolts and lower it with the jack.

[mjribeiro]

I just did mine today.
Raise the cart:
oil change1.jpg
Support the axle, remove shock nuts, ubolt nuts, and spring nuts and bolts:
IMG_6457 (Large).jpg
A picture of ECC's spring kit (Thank's Ron - they came in on Friday!), you get new u-bolts and spring bolts, but you need to re-use your existing nuts:
IMG_6458 (Large).jpg
Pop in the new springs, finger tight all the nuts till everything is back on:
IMG_6462 (Large).jpg
Once everything is on, go back and tighten all of the bolts. I had to put the weight of the cart on the ground to get the shocks back on....

[mac]

I was trying to do one side at a time and that will not work, need to loosen both sides to get it to drop so the springs can be removed,I think..
Mac

[NO NO NO E-Z-GO!]

To be honest, the hassle of "saving time and work" of doing one side at a time id really not saving you anything. You're just creating a bigger headache for yourself. Drop it, stuff the new ones in there, and bolt it back up! You'll be much more satisfied with the ease of doing it that way.

[mjribeiro]

Sometimes there's some dirt or rust holding them on (at least on a full sized car) wack them with a mallet and they'll fall out. I did the job in 30-40 minutes.....

[mac]

Thanks for the info will try again in the morning..
Mac

[mac]

I got the springs on yesterday, much stiffer now..total cost $43.30...
Still had a issue getting the springs between the upper plate and lower plate..The gap was only about 3/4 of a inch, the new springs were about 2 1/2 inches tall. Ended up removing the shorter leaf and the bolt holding the springs together, after the springs were installed I put a bolt thru the lower plate, springs and upper plate with a nut..Glad it is done can move on to other items..
Mac

[tungpo1]

If you got new u-bolts just get a die grinder and cut the old ones off should take no longer then 1/2 hour to change

[mac]

The old u-bolts worked fine...When I started this project the old u-bolts were extending about 3/4" below the nut...

Mac