2001 F350, 4x4, 7.3..


I am replacing the leaf springs on my truck and started with the rear drivers side. Everything went smoothly until I tried removing the leaf spring shackle bolt. The one closest to the rear with that rubber bushing around the bolt. The nut is off and I can turn the bolt but I can not remove it. I dropped my hitch so I could bang it with a sledge hammer. Then I bought a air compressor and air hammer. Bolt still wont back out. but it does turn.
So I figured I would cut both sides. there is enough room between shackle and brace to get a blade in. So how do the experts get the bolt out?
Should I cut it or is there another way? Guess I will need good sawsall blades for that hard steel.


Thanks Joey

 

I would not cut it. I would jack up different areas (frame, leaf, shackle etc) trying to get weight off of it while trying to get it out one way or the other. Be careful work safe

 

I don't think there is weight on the bolt. I have the leaf springs off so it is just the shackle. I am beginning to thing the bolt got bent slightly. I have been pounding and twisting for about 3 days on and off with no bolt movement. I think that bolt is going to be very hard to cut.

 

Can you get a BF prybar under the head of the bolt?

 

Sounds like the bolt is worn inside. A big center punch/ bolt and a bigger hammer. Don't make love to it when hitting it.

 

 

We cut it on my friends truck after messing with it for like 10 minutes... didnt take very long with a good blade

 

So I cut it out. Cutting it out was very fast. I cut the threaded side of the bolt on the outside of shackle and in between shackle and bracket on other side. Only took a few minutes. I bought those expense sawsall blade, $15 each. Cut through that bolt no problem. Even with the shackle out the remaining bolt is still stuck inside the shackle. Don't know what is holding it in but it's in there forever.

 

There is a metal sleeve inside the bushing that basically rust welds itself to the bolt making it almost impossible to get it out. When the bolt is turning its actually turning the sleeve with it.