Erik,
Change the spring yourself.
It should take less than a day, if you have the tools, parts, and a
helper. Can be done without removing the diff or axles. Use lots of
penetrating oil on the bolts. You'll want a big pry bar too. It'll give
you a great sense of accomplishment to tell your friends you saved
$1000- by doing it yourself, and, once you've done this job you won't
hesitate to tackle almost any repair on the car.
Cheers,
John Matthews
'61 & '65 Heralds
bkgallry@crl.com wrote:
>
> Hey Group:
>
> So ...the camber on my '77 Spit 1500 has looked a bit off ( a lot off
> actually) since I bought it a month or so ago. Right rear wheel projecting
> out from bottom at a greater degree than the left. After some repairs that
> are more my speed ( assorted cables, dash lights, filters, etc.) I decided
> a proper wheel alignment was called for to correct the camber. I got a
> referral to an alignment specialist who " is very good with LBC's". I
> dropped it off in the A.M. , expecting to pick-it up after work -problem
> solved. Life with the Spit would be all sunny days. Noooo...I got a call
> from the shop mid-afternoon. " You're rear spring has lost its arc...its
> lost its tension and the ass-end of the car is about 2 1/2" lower than it
> should be. That's splaying the wheels out. This could be a dangerous
> situation on the freeway. We can't do the alignment until this is
> corrected. We also discovered you need 2 upper ball joints and some front
> sway bar bushings replaced. Whole job, parts, labour and alignment will run
> you about $1100.00. Whad'ya wanna do?"
>
> I told him I wanted a drink and that I'd think it over following that.
>
> Question is...what does the group think about this? Anyone have any
> experience replacing rear springs? What is the degree of difficulty on this
> and does it need to be done immediately or is it "procrastinatalbe"? Should
> I leave it to the "specialist" and just forget about paying taxes this year
> or make a month of week-ends out of it? Opinions, advice, general ramblings
> would be much appreciated !
>
> Erik
> '77 Spitfire
>
> The Heldfond Book Gallery, Ltd.
> 310 San Anselmo Avenue
> San Anselmo, California 94960
> U.S.A.
> (415) 456-8194 (Telephone)
> (415) 383-3310 (Facsimile)
> bkgallry@crl.com (e-mail)
> http://www.heldfond.com (Web Site)
> Member A.B.A.A. / I.LA.B.
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