Back wheels wheels went down almost touching the car

Tiny
CHRISTOPHER LINDSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,347 MILES
I was driving my car one day and heard a pop. As I continued to drive one of my wheels went down almost touching the car then driving home the other one did too. Both on the back with no suspension. What do you think my problem is?
Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,494 POSTS
From the description I would say the rear spring failed. Your car uses a mono-leaf rear spring part number 22188503, made of fiberglass. It sounds like it may have broken and that allowed the suspension to drop. Replacing it isn't real difficult, but finding a replacement likely will be as the part has been discontinued for quite a while.

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove three jack pad attaching bolts and the pad.
3. Remove left and right spring retention plate attaching bolts.
4. Remove right side trailing link to knuckle attaching nut and bolt.
5. Disconnect anti-lock brake system electrical harness connector, if equipped.
6. Assemble rear spring leaf spring compressor tool No. J-35778 or equivalent to transverse spring.
7. Loosen tool handle to base of tool shank.
8. Hang center shank of tool at spring center. It is not necessary to separate tool body and shank. Attach from front side of vehicle only.
9. Attach tool body to spring. Always center spring on roller of tool.
10. Fully compress spring, then slide spring to left side. It may be necessary to pry the spring, using a screwdriver/pry bar, to the opposite side, using the wheel for leverage.
11. Relax the spring until removal clearance is achieved, then remove spring, Fig. 3.

12. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque trailing link to knuckle attaching bolt to specifications.
B. Torque spring retention plate mounting bolts to specifications. Rear spring retention plates are designed with tabs on one end. Tabs must be aligned with support assembly.
C. Torque jack pad mounting bolts to specifications.
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Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM

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