Almost have my F1 to the frame. I got the cab, engine/trans, and axles off last weekend.
However when I pulled the rear axle about 10 minutes later the right rear spring pack blew off the bottom 3 or 4 springs. To say my truck was abused is a wild understatement. The center bolt/pin has rusted through and broken, the clamps are holding what is left. However you cannot see in the pics, but where the bottom 3 remaining leafs are dented/bent upwards they are cracked and one is cracked towards the end also. The cause of the lowest springs blowing off.
I am thinking c clamps and taking the leaf clamps off the springs, then slowing releasing the c clamps leaving the main spring to take off.
Is this a safe way to take apart the springs?

Been awhile since I posted, believe the bed was still mounted so here are a couple pics now, and a couple of the spring. Also a couple more questions.
The block between the overloads is not stock correct? Along with the stops/bumpers for the overloads?
The upper "block" with grooves for the u-bolts is stock?
I would like to get rid of the extra 10 or so springs and go back to stock. Anyway here's a few pics.

 

"C" clamps are your friends. I just finished redoing my spring packs and used them on mine. You'll need them too when reassembling to keep pressure while setting the center bolts. Stu

 

Sounds like a plan. Sounded good in my head, just wanted to make sure I wasen't about to do something stuipd.
I was around the front axle when it went. Don't think I jumped, more wondering what the big bang was, had I been right beside it or under it, would have been a whole lot different.

Thank you.

 

Could u bolts be used as a back up safety measure, just in case the c claps wander off? Just a thought, be carefull.

 

Sure, would be the same idea as a clamp, so long as the threads go down far enough.
Being carefull is the reason I asked.
The other 3 do not really bother me, just this one as it already blew up I do not want to take off with 3 more broken springs.
If you look at I think the first pic you can see the left front leaf spring also broke off both ends of the main spring, why that pack is on the axle. Oh the joy.

 

Chains might help limit the impact if they should twist out of the c-clamps.