Is this the right way to take apart a leaf spring pack?

[will e]

At about 2:24 in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfMPHn6x7Uo

the guy takes a pry bar and bends the retainer. I have a bent main spring and am taking the pack apart. Is this the right way to do it and will I be able to bend the retainer back into place? It seems like it is pretty soft metal. My leaf springs are not stock.

It looks good but I don't want to mess it up. Thanks!

[letank]

this one does the same, at 8:45 and 10:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJzk30s2r0U

I can't remember how I did it... IIRC the clamps where not so beefy

[will e]

Thanks, later in the video he uses a different bolt on retainer, unfortunately the ones he bent were on the broken spring.

[Stuka]

I have never bent them out like that. I cut them off. Typically they are sold old that after bending them they get brittle. So replace them after changing out the number of leaves or adding the add-a-leaf.

[will e]

I have never bent them out like that. I cut them off. Typically they are sold old that after bending them they get brittle. So replace them after changing out the number of leaves or adding the add-a-leaf.

Thanks Stuka. I already bent them out, I will try bending them back in and if that doesn't work I'll cut them and use regular style retainers. Or just leave them on and add regular ones. I am not launching a space shuttle.

[Herk]

Heat the clamps red hot and let them cool slowly to anneal (soften) them before you reassemble the springs. Otherwise they work harden from bending and might break when you try to bend them back.

[rocklaurence]

Also, find some shims /tools etc to put between the leafs and the clamps when you bend them back. If they are too tight when done they will lead to sqeeks. I have never had a problem whith them breaking and I use a hammer with the shims to put it back in place. Note: remove the shims theyre only used to ensure a gap between the leafs and clamp