We work together in the inspection pit
Jack up the axle and remove the front wheel.
Place a reliable factory-made support with a load capacity of at least 2 tonnes and a height of 700 mm under the front end of the frame.
Lower the jack and leave it under the axle, or for convenience, move it under the hub.
To avoid damaging the brake hose, it is advisable to remove the front brake caliper and tie it to the frame.
Using a 24 mm socket, unscrew the four bolts of the U-bolts.
Remove the U-bolts.
Remove the spring cover plate.
Holding the bolt of the front spring eye with a 22 mm spanner, unscrew the nut with a 24 mm socket.
Drive out the bolt with a punch or a suitable rod.
Also unscrew the nut and drive out the bolt of the rear spring mount (to the shackle).
Remove the spring.
Clean the spring from dirt.
Insert the bolts into the spring joints.
Tension a cord between them and measure the spring deflection.
The deflection should be 147±10 mm for a two-leaf spring, and 135±5 mm for a four-leaf spring.
If this value is lower, replace the entire spring.
Straighten the clip by striking with a hammer through another hammer.
Clamp the spring in a vice, use two 17 mm spanners to unscrew the centre bolt nut and remove the bolt.
Separate the spring leaves. Clean the inner surfaces of the spring leaves from dirt and rust.
To replace the rubber-metal bushings, place the spring eye under a press.
Press out the bushing.
To facilitate pressing in the new bushing, use a file or abrasive wheel to make a lead chamfer on the edges of the metal plates at the end of the bushing.
Compress the bushing with a band clamp.
Lubricate the bushing with soapy water and, using a mandrel, press it in using the same press.
After lubricating the facing sides of the leaves with graphite grease, assemble the spring.
Note the difference in the design of the front and rear spring eyes.
Unscrew the nut and remove the bolt securing the spring shackle.
Remove the spring shackle plates.
Holding the shackle bracket bolts with a 14 mm spanner, unscrew the four nuts with a 17 mm socket and remove the bracket.
Replace the bracket's rubber-metal bushing.
Install the removed parts in the reverse order, evenly tightening the U-bolt nuts.
The vertical protrusion on the spring cover plate should face the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
The final tightening of the rubber-metal bushing bolts should be carried out on a loaded vehicle with the springs straightened. This is necessary for the proper operation of the bushings.
Similarly, disassemble the spring and replace the rubber-metal bushings on the other side of the vehicle.
Replacing the rubber buffer
Holding the bolt with a 17 mm socket and extension, unscrew the nut with a 19 mm spanner.
Remove the buffer together with the bolt, washer, bushing and cup.
Install the buffer in the reverse order.
