F-Body leaf spring replacement - advice?

[Ricter]

I'm looking for any advice, tips, tricks, or gotchas for replacing the leaf springs on my 1969 Firebird. Please share your experiences, because I've never done this before.

Here's my challenges:
1. Lack of experience - but no lack of willingness to dive into it anyway.
2. Only basic hand tools available.
3. No garage.
4. Task must be completed start to finish in 1 day. Because of #3 + lots of kids in my neighborhood + strict HOA = can't leave the car up on jack stands overnight.
5. No one to assist, or at best a complete non-auto oriented friend to help out / keep me company.

My new springs will come with new front eye bushings. However I'll need to buy all the other rubber components seperately. Shackle bushings, leaf spring pads, etc...
Can anyone recommend a good, and still cheap option for these? These are stock replacement springs, not lowering springs, so I don't need Del-A-Lum bushing or anything, and my budget is next to nil. So price is a concern.



Thanks.

[HILROD]

Just get stock parts from an auto parts or repro parts house. Make sure you get U-bolts, shackles, spring pads, and new j clip nuts and bolts for the front spring hangers, I got an extra set and needed them. Soak all the bolts and nuts in a good penetrating oil, like PB Buster, a few times. Lastly, only do one side at a time, get it all together loosly, but secure, then do the other side, tighten all the bolts last when the car is at ride height, (or stands under the axle). The worst part is getting the old rusted parts off.

[sik68]

If you need to get it done in a single day, you may have to anticipate that some of the parts you remove will not be reusable, and thus should have replacements ready to go in advance. For example, the front bushing bracket hardware is often worn out:


Courtesy: Year One

Before your rebuild day, spend some time inspecting your car, and "rehearse" how you will accomplish your tasks. Also, have a Chilton's manual on hand. Wake up early so you can make the most of your day.

Oh and have at least 2 pairs of jackstands and a floorjack. If your driveway is too inclined, don't do it there.