HEEELLpp! GT Front Leaf Removal

[opey7]

Heeeeelp!
opey7 here in Tennessee.Haven't talked much but I have been Listening!
I have not found this in the suspension section. So here goes...I wanted to take my 71 opel leafspring out on the car.I liquidwrenched everything and by golly all the bolts came loose including the four (two on each side) that secures the rear lower control arms.I could push up on them with no problem.But after jacking and taking all the other bolts off and leaving these for last as a safety caution. I went to take these bolts out and three are froze. .........What happend ?? and what am I to do??? Embarressed 40 yr. machanic.....thanks Phil

[grslightng02]

Sounds like when you jacked the car up to take the weight from sitting ON the control arms and pushing the weight UP, now the weight is from the car is gone, but the weight of the control arms themselves is pulling down and resting on all three of these bolts.

My suggestion use some more liquid wrench, but also place a brace or jack under the control arm to take the weight off of it. It should make removing it much easier.

[kwilford]

Moderators Note: Moved thread to correct Forum

There are several excellent threads on front leaf spring removal, in the Forum I moved this to. A good trick is to sort the Forum threads by "Most Views" such as this:

3A - Front Suspension - Opel Forums

[namba209]

First off, get the car on jack stands high enuff to put a bottle jack under the end of the leaf spring, then put upward pressure on the spring eye, until the bolt loosens. Remove the bolt and lower the spring, carefully. It may kick the jack out from under it. There is a lot of kinetic energy in the spring. It is almost U shaped when not under tension. Note which hole the bolts go through the spring perch plates at the lower control arm pivot area, it is important to get the bolts in the same holes during assembly. Above all, use extreme care and DO NOT get under the spring during the removal process. HTH.