Originally Posted by
aftontrix
I have read many comments concerning these springs. Some even concerned about their appearance and maybe they would not fit a Studebaker. I am in the process of installing the springs and I have ran into a problem. First, I have attached photos of the springs and a Studebaker rubber cap from SI on one end of each (top and bottom). I see no problem with the fit.
My problem is in getting the old springs off of my 57 silver hawk. The shocks had carriage bolts holding them on but they were
so rusty I had to cut them off. Now for the springs, they have eight 7/16 hex head bolts and nuts holding them on. I cannot get them to budge. Only one turns a little and it is the entire bolt, not just the nut. I cannot get a wrench on top of the bolt due to how it is positioned. I have the spring compressed with a spring compressor. There is no way I can cut them off.
I am going to have to take it in to a front end shop and let them put a torch or whatever they need to get them off. They will then go ahead and stick the springs in for me. I hate to pay the money but I do not have the tools to do the job. I have wasted two days fighting the problem.
Now for my question. I need to bring in whatever bolts I need as the shop does not have any new bolts. After thinking about it I believe when manufactured, they probably used carriage bolts to hold the springs in as this is what was used on the shocks and it is to difficult to get to the top of the hex head bolt with a wrench. Can anyone confirm what type of bolt and what size was used to bolt that lower a-arm up to the frame cross member (There are four on each side)? Thanks