# New leaf springs on an old Mustang

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mustang, leaf\
**Created:** [September 3, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105 "2007-09-03T23:16:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![woolznaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@woolznaz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/woolznaz)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105/1 "2007-09-03T23:16:33Z")

</div>

I’m considering replacing the rear leaf springs on my 1973 Mustang convertible. It’s pretty “saggy” in the back. I’m not a mechanic, but I am capable of most do it yourself repairs. Can anyone reading this give me some advice as to whether this is a “do it yourself” job or do I need to take the car to a suspension shop to do this?  
  
  
  
 My goal is to restore the car to its original ride height. Some of the replacement springs I find are more performance oriented and actually lower the rear end by an inch or so. I do not want to do that so I would buy the standard springs. Any thoughts or words of advice on whether I should tackle this job on my own? Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dodge\_racer16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@dodge\_racer16](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dodge_racer16)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105/2 "2007-09-04T00:08:53Z")

</div>

Depends on what you have for tools. Its an old car so I’m sure they are pretty rusty and it’s going to take more than just a wrench or two. If I were you, if you don’t have any power tools or air tools, take it to a shop and let them deal with the headache. It’s worth the money. Trust me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105/3 "2007-09-04T00:25:35Z")

</div>

I suggest you purchase a service manual for your Mustang, and read through the procedure for spring replacement. Then you can decide whether or not you want to attempt this yourself.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 3:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105/4 "2007-09-04T03:33:35Z")

</div>

It can be cheaper to install Monroe Load Leveler shocks on the back. Air shocks can last a long time too. The leafs aren’t expensive but the rusted u-bolts and shackle bolts may have to be torched off the car or ground off. It would be cost effective to pay somebody else to do it at a shop.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2007, 5:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-leaf-springs-on-an-old-mustang/4105/5 "2007-09-04T05:35:30Z")

</div>

It’s not hard at all to do from a mechanical standpoint, but you should have all new hardware, U-bolts, spring pads, etc.  
You should assume the existing nuts and bolts will never come apart due to rust/age and the fastest and easiest option is to just cut it all apart with a torch or grinder rather than wrestle with PB Blaster and frozen bolts.