Coil Springs - Rear Pair

This procedure removes and replaces both rear coil springs on a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette with 327ci V8, requiring the rear suspension to be safely supported and compressed for spring removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring (pair) × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent for 1966 Corvette
• Shock absorber lower mounting hardware (if corroded) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface with adequate workspace around all four corners
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Apply penetrating oil to all shock absorber mounting bolts and strut rod bolts, allow to soak for 15-30 minutes
5. Gather all tools and new springs, verify spring part numbers match original equipment specifications

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Use floor jack to raise rear of vehicle by the differential housing or rear crossmember. Once raised to working height, place jack stands under the frame rails just forward of the rear suspension mounting points. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. The rear suspension must hang freely with no load. Shake vehicle to verify stability on stands before proceeding.
2. 2

   Remove rear wheels
   Remove the 5 lug nuts from each rear wheel and remove both rear wheels. Set aside in a safe location away from work area.
3. 3

   Disconnect rear shock absorbers
   Locate the lower shock absorber mounting bolt on each side. Using a 9/16" wrench to hold the nut and a 9/16" socket on the bolt head, remove the lower shock mounting bolt from both sides. Allow shock absorbers to hang from upper mounts. If bolts are seized, apply additional penetrating oil and use breaker bar with caution to avoid breaking studs.
4. 4

   Support rear axle assembly
   Position floor jack under the center of the differential housing. Raise jack until it just contacts the differential but does NOT lift the suspension. The jack must follow the suspension as it is lowered, controlling the descent rate. This is critical for safety when the spring is removed.
5. 5

   Install spring compressor on passenger side
   Working on the passenger (right) side first, install the coil spring compressor according to manufacturer instructions. The compressor hooks or plates must engage at least 3 full coils at top and bottom. Ensure compressor is centered on spring and threads are fully engaged. Begin compressing spring slowly and evenly, alternating between adjustment points to maintain even compression. Compress spring approximately 2-3 inches to remove tension from mounting points.
   ⚠️Verify spring compressor is properly seated and engaged before applying compression. An improperly installed compressor can slip and release the spring violently.
6. 6

   Remove passenger side spring mounting hardware
   With spring safely compressed, locate the spring retention hardware. The 1966 Corvette rear suspension uses a spring seat bolted to the trailing arm and an upper spring seat. Remove the 2 bolts securing the lower spring seat to the trailing arm using a 5/8" socket. Carefully lower the floor jack under the differential approximately 2-3 inches to provide clearance. The compressed spring can now be maneuvered out of the spring pocket.
7. 7

   Remove compressed passenger spring
   With spring retention hardware removed, carefully guide the compressed spring out of the spring pocket. You may need to rotate or angle the spring to clear the trailing arm and shock tower. Once clear, set spring aside in a safe area away from the work zone. Keep spring compressor installed and under tension until ready to transfer to new spring or dispose of old spring.
8. 8

   Inspect passenger side spring seats and hardware
   Wire brush the upper and lower spring seat surfaces to remove rust and debris. Inspect spring seats for cracks, damage, or excessive wear. Inspect rubber isolators (if equipped) for deterioration and replace if cracked or compressed. Check trailing arm bushings and shock mounts for wear. Replace any damaged components before installing new spring.
9. 9

   Install compressed passenger side new spring
   Transfer the spring compressor to the new passenger side spring, compressing it to approximately the same length as the old spring was when removed (2-3 inches of compression). Position the new compressed spring into the spring pocket, ensuring the spring end orientation matches the original installation (spring end tags or paint marks should face the same direction as original). Align spring with upper and lower spring seats.
10. 10

    Secure passenger side spring and release compressor
    Raise the floor jack under the differential to lift the trailing arm and align the lower spring seat bolt holes. Install the 2 lower spring seat bolts and tighten to secure the spring seat to the trailing arm. Once bolts are installed and secure, slowly and evenly release tension on the spring compressor. Monitor spring seating as compression is released - the spring must seat properly in both upper and lower spring pockets. Once fully released and verified seated, remove spring compressor.
11. 11

    Repeat spring replacement on driver side
    Repeat steps 5 through 10 for the driver (left) side rear spring. Install spring compressor, compress spring, remove retention hardware, extract old spring, inspect components, install new compressed spring, secure hardware, and release compressor. Ensure spring orientation matches passenger side installation.
12. 12

    Reconnect shock absorbers
    Raise floor jack under differential to lift suspension to normal ride height position (suspension should be at approximate mid-travel). Align lower shock absorber mounts with mounting holes on trailing arms. Install lower shock mounting bolts with washers and nuts. Tighten lower shock bolts to 65 ft-lb using torque wrench. Shock absorbers should be tightened at normal ride height to prevent bushing bind.
13. 13

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Install both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to snug (hand-tight plus 1/4 turn) but do not torque fully yet.
14. 14

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove load from jack stands. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to ground. With vehicle weight on wheels, torque all 10 rear wheel lug nuts (5 per wheel) to 80 ft-lb in a star pattern.

Reassembly

1. Torque specifications provided in procedure steps above where applicable
2. All suspension fasteners must be torqued with vehicle at normal ride height to prevent bushing preload and premature wear
3. Verify both springs are properly seated in upper and lower spring pockets before test driving

Verification

• With vehicle on ground, visually inspect both rear springs to confirm they are fully seated in spring pockets with no gaps or misalignment
• Bounce rear of vehicle several times and listen for any unusual noises, rattles, or clunks indicating improper spring seating
• Measure ride height on both sides at the rocker panel - measurements should be within 1/4 inch side-to-side
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area, verifying normal handling and no unusual noises from rear suspension
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque all suspension fasteners and re-verify wheel lug nut torque
• Have front-end alignment checked by professional shop if vehicle pulls to one side or steering wheel is off-center

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