Have any of you had the front leaf springs out of your truck (F250 4x4)?

I had a tough time with the passenger side leaf spring and U-bolts, and wondering if this is normal for a IFS (TTB) front end - or if something is wrong or bent.

I removed and replaced the front leaf springs (installed Skyjacker Soft Ride springs with 4" lift), I "hung" the springs in the shackles first then installed U-bolts. On the drivers' side it was pretty easy. The spring pack just needed a little prying to get the spring alignment pin in the axle housing alignment hole. Done in a few minutes.

But on the passenger side I could not get one of the two U-bolts in, the holes in the U-bolt plate was sitting not square to the axle housing with the spring hanging from it's hanger/shackles. In the end I had to remove the leaf spring from the front shackle (move the front of the spring to the right (away from enter of truck direction) then insert the U-bolts. Then I used a come-along to pull the front of the leaf spring back toward center to get it in the shackle.

I don't see anything obviously bent (i.e. I don't think the axle housing is bent) but I also don't think it should have been this difficult.

Maybe its normal (with suspension hanging and truck supported by jack stands, the angles are all over the place) - I just want to know if anyone else has replaced a front spring or U-bolts and had this problem.

 

I have had mine out before and yes, what you went through is normal. As the axle swings down on it's pivot, it also swings inward. That is why the front shackle bushings lead such a rough life and should be replaced often. They are up in the frame where you can hardly see them also.

What I did was put a jack under the axle arm and started jacking the truck up. It all came together finally when enough weight was put on the axle and the spring.

 

Thanks Dave.

I'm relieved to hear that.

I don't recall having any trouble with spring alignment when I did the original lift twenty years ago - but I was a lot younger then and maybe my memory is failing me.