Cougar (& Mustang?) Leaf Spring Replacement How To's

Cougar Leaf Spring Replacement

This is real good source material for anyone who may feel hesitant about tackling the job of replacing their leaf springs.

I had a pretty good idea on how to do this job before I read the material, but I always like to be ready before I start working and found this article to have many good ideas and it was very helpful.

http://www.dcconline.org/features/features_garage_04.html

As an aside, I shopped around for new leaf springs and found the prices to be all over the board. I first tried a local shop and they wanted $150 per spring and installation was extra. I then shopped online to eBay to JC Whitney to other tradional spring vendors online. Again prices varied.

I ended up purchasing my kit from Laurel Mountain Mustang. Both springs (with bushings installed), 4 u-bolts with fasteners, and both shackles (complete) as well as a pair of eye bolts for $169.00. I thought that was a heck of a deal. Of course shipping was extra.

I only bought one pair of leaf spring pads when I should have bought 2, but mine were in good enough shape to be reusable.

Well worth the effort and well worth the improved stance of the car.  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

Hardest part of the job is getting the bolt out of the bushing sleeve.  Normally (rust belt) they are one solid piece and you have to burn the bushing or cut the bolt at each end.  While eating from a shower of rust.  

The 169 is a good price.  I think I paid that much or more 10 years ago.

jb  

Hey jb,

I didn't run into that problem. Just used some penetrating oil on the nuts and threads and was good to go. The nice thing is, even though my car has always been an east coast car (sold new in New Jersey and I picked it up in Connecticut) is apparently this car has never been out in the winter. Not a speck of rust under the car. Very, very clean.  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

I agree with jb  I used penetrating oil etc.  did not have a torch, beat on it till my arms about fell off and ended up damaging the frame rail.  cost me more to have that repaired than it would have to have the springs replaced in the first place.  This was back years ago when I was a young kid with no money.  I hope I do a better job on the 67 I just started on.  

Good luck......I guess I just got lucky on my Cougar.

~ Steve ~  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye