Leaf Spring Clips

I'm putting in a set of bolt on subframe connecters for my 71 nova. Part of the installation involves taking the front leaf spring mounts off which are connected to the frame by 3 bolts. These bolts are threaded by small clips that are in the frame/floorpan (basically the same thing they used on the lower control arm for mounting the shocks). My problem is these clips are obviously really old and the bolts will not thread out. They just keep twisting around. How do I get these clips out? I've thought about just cutting the bolt head but it looks like where the clip clips into the frame/floorpan that the hole is not big enough to get the clip/bolt out if I cut the bolt head. My other option is to drill holes in the floorpan and come from the top after I remove the back seat. If I do it the second way I'm going to replace the clips with bolts/nuts/lockwashers and make little patch holes for the holes I cut securing it with sheetmetal screws. Once the leaf spring mount is off it is easy to put in new clips, its just getting them out that is the pain. I appreciate any replies :).

While removing suspension bolts that are threaded into "fixed" nuts hidden in body/frame sections, I have run across the same problem. There is little or no access to allow any type of wrench to get on the "hidden" nut once it starts to spin. Liberal application of penetrating oil several days in advance of any wrenching, is a wise move to help prevent such problems, but there is no guarantee that it won't happen anyway. I only mentioned it for readers who may be embarking on such a project.

Were you able to get any of them out? I have had success in similar situations using a "crows foot" wrench with nothing attached to it. By itself a crows foot is very small and will fit into a small pocket were no other wrench will fit. Once you get it on the nut, (not always easy or even possible) and start turning the bolt, the crows foot will wedge itself against a wall and hold the nut tight. Looking at my Nova it looks like this may be an option for the inboard bolt, but not for the others. Another option is to wedge a narrow pry bar in between the access hole and the nut, in order to try to hold it, but If the bolt is rusted real bad this probably won't give enough holding power to keep it from spinning. It's still worth a try. As you have surmised, cutting the floor (or another small section around the area) is sometimes necessary to get access to the nut, and I had to do this on my Jeep. Besides not removing the nut, cutting the bolt heads may also destroy the spring mount, so I wouldn't do that unless you are buying new ones.

when i put my ford 9 in i had the same problem. I just cut the bolt head off because there is a little slot to put a new clip in there. I was able to pull the bolt and clip out of the same hole.I couldnt get the clips anywhere so i ordered them off of classic industries. The new clips in classic industries are one piece they arent a clip with a nut welded to the back side, so no breakage good luck

nova68 -What did you use to cut the heads off, and how did you not also cut into the spring mount bracket at the same time?

i just used a cut off wheel and cut the bracket alittle but i fixed it up with my welder when i was done. You could do it with a plasma easy

I think I'm going to go the cutting method then just replace them.

What is the reason for changing the leaf spring clips? what 'told' you it needed to be done? 3 novas and I never suspected that I needed to, but the one I have now to restore has a WHOOOOOPED mono leaf suspension, and I don't want to miss anything when I start re-doing the rear suspension.

I'm putting in subframe connectors and they "mesh" in between the leaf spring mount and frame. Also, my passenger side spring is weak so I'm going to replace the multi-leaves at the same time along with all the bushings that need to be replaced.