I want to lower the rear end of my 66 mailibu, I read on another post that you just unbolt the rear shocks and drop the back axle til the springs come out... can someone give me a detailed description of the job...my concerns are brake lines, rear control arms, and having my face blown off from a spring popping out. I work on my car in my landlords drive way with a couple jack stands and a few tools. Don't freak out...should I just heat them up to drop them? thanks

The rear springs are not under nearly as much force as the fronts. Unbolt the lower rear shock mounts and lower the axle until the springs drop out....it's really that easy. I change mine with the help of my 8 year old in less than 5 minutes.

do one size at a time, with car frame on jack stands and floor jack under differential.

excellent, thanks. one more question, I run 14" rims with 225/75's on the back, I like a lot of rubber, the top of the wheel well is above the tire, I think they're original springs, how many coils should I cut to drop it like 2" to start, and also I'm assuming I put the small coil to the top, since I will be cutting one of them off...?

If you are going lop off coils from pigtail springs always put the pigtail to the bottom.

You could go the part store and look in the back of the catalog, I run Moog springs usually and they have lowered dual-pigtail springs for about 55.00/set.

I wish i could buy lowering springs for $55 bucks new! Dennis, where do you get these more specifically

i heard that you can not heat springs cause the heat transfers though the metal and will weaken the spring even when it is cooled. :confused: is this true?
i was always told if you dont want to buy new springs that are made shorter from the factory you could cut the old ones.

bri-I'll check my toolbox in the morning, I may still have some part numbers laying around. If you go to a GOOD (not autozone or kragen) auto parts store they will have a book, it's thick has a bunch of paper in it, you want the spring catalog. In the back of every spring manufacture’s catalog is a listing of all the springs grouped together by type, be it pigtail, closed end, open end or whatever. Find the pigtail section then find the shortest springs you can, make sure they have a reasonable rate. Anything over 150lbs is going to be too stiff for a street car. there should be several different springs with an installed height of between 9 and 12" and less then 150lbs. pick a pair and try them out. I'll look tomorrow for a number that I know works well.

Denny's right, I called the auto parts store here and they were $56, thanks again>>>>, I'm gonna cut mine though, I've had too many people tell me I'm thinkin too much, just cut 'em

thanks Dennis, I am looking for a 2" drop (I think) I will call the store tom and compare it to what you came up with.

Didn't the general bolt the springs onto the rear-end housing in '66? 1968 on up the spirngs will simply fall out but I think you'll have to unbolt them.

Dennis thanks alot, I went to the store and they had them from 5-60 bucks a pair. Thanks for the tip

I found a part from the last set of springs I bought. Napa part number 277-2045. They are about 140bs and should provide about 2.5" of drop.