1981 F250 4WD Leaf Spring Replacement

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Nov 4, 2019 | 03:18 PM

rmorman

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 102

Likes: 8

From: Perry, IA

1981 F250 4WD Leaf Spring Replacement

A while back I posted something about installing some used leaf springs I bought at a salvage yard. Well...... I never got it done. I was reminded about how bad mine are when I went to pick up a load of cherry wood for smoking. And again when I installed my snow plow over the weekend. Just for fun I went to RockAuto to see what they had. One of the brands they have is called "Husky." As I've never heard of it, I "Googled" it. They have an office not 1 hour from my house in Des Moines. I e-mailed them Sunday about getting a quote for EVERYTHING I'd need to do to replace my leaf springs. Here is what I got back:

Honestly didn't think that was too bad of a price for all new parts. Now to my actual question(s). This truck has the OEM springs from the day it was made. I'm ASSUMING I'm going to break every part I try to take off.

Is there a detailed build post or YouTube video that you found helpful?
Can I do this without having to remove brake lines? A brake system rebuild will be the next, but hopefully next year. I KNOW I'll destroy the rear lines if I have to try and remove them to do this.
Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Russ

Nov 5, 2019 | 10:46 AM

BigBlue 94

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 376

Likes: 4

Use a grinder and cutoff wheel on the old u-bolts and the heads of the spring shackle bolts. Then drive em out. You ought to try removing a D60 fromt axle from a JY truck sitting on said axle, by yourself. What a PITA! Usually the bolts holding the springs to the shackle are rusted to the bushing sleeve, so lots of rust penetrant is a must.

Yes you can do it without disconnecting the brakes.