bracket
Leaf Spring Mounting Bracket Rusted Off
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Leaf Spring Mounting Bracket Rusted Off
I Need Some Advice Please!i Took My 94 Ranger In To The Shop Because The Front End Wobbled,they Could'nt Find Anything Wrong With The Front End But Said The Rear Axle Was Bent Or Frame.took The Truck Home And Checked Underneath And Found The Rear Left Leaf Spring Bracket Completely Rusted Off The Frame And The Leaf Spring Just Hanging There.The Other Side Looks Like It's Ready To Go Also.The Truck Is Tracking Sideways Down The Road.i'm Not Driving It Now.my Question Is,Can This Be Fixed And Who Would Do This Type Of Work (Body Shop Or Auto Repair Shop)?The Truck Is In Great Shape Otherwise But Would This Be Worth Fixing?Thankyou In Advance.
Last edited by Ranger Louie; Jul 10, 2005 at 04:44 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
As long as the frame is in sound condition, I would purchase new, or good condition used brackets and put them in. Cut the head of the rivet off inside the frame, knock the remaining bracket off. Take a hammer and cold chisel and start trying (there may be alot of rust, or little to none) to chip out any heavy rust that may be on the frame behind the bracket. If your frame isn't that bad, I would hit it with some kind of rust converter and then top with a Rustoleum rattle can paint. Then bolt the new brackets in with proper sized grade 8 to 12 hardware (bolt-washer-||-washer-lock washer-nut). Torque it down nice and tight, and be sure to check it after a couple miles.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Salem, NH
Thats what I did to my 87 F150. Same thing happened, bought a new bracket to the tune of 44 bucks and put it in at my school's shop. Getting it out was a PITA to say the least, I annoyed the math department pretty good though...they hate me.....air chisels gotta love em'
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
Ouch! Buy a cheap angle grinder and some cut off disks and save yourself alot of time and a headache. 5 minutes per bracket when I cut mine off my 78 F250. And cut the rivets from the backside, not the large mushroom head part on the outside 
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
If you install a new bracket, toss out the bolts that come with it and get yourself grade 8 bolts. Same for a used one.
Also, don't grind on the inside of the C-channel frame, that's a good way to nick the inside and ultimately weaken it if you dig in too far. Grind on the outside, using the bracket as protection against nicking the frame.
Once the heads of the rivets are off, you can use a punch and a big hammer to knock them through. Sometimes the bracket falls off, sometimes you have to hammer to knock it loose (due to rust between the bracket and the frame rail) and sometimes, you might have to air chisel it off. We replaced the hangers on my friend's late 60's dodge, we must have spent 2 hours per bracket trying to get them off without grinding into the frame.
Also, don't grind on the inside of the C-channel frame, that's a good way to nick the inside and ultimately weaken it if you dig in too far. Grind on the outside, using the bracket as protection against nicking the frame.
Once the heads of the rivets are off, you can use a punch and a big hammer to knock them through. Sometimes the bracket falls off, sometimes you have to hammer to knock it loose (due to rust between the bracket and the frame rail) and sometimes, you might have to air chisel it off. We replaced the hangers on my friend's late 60's dodge, we must have spent 2 hours per bracket trying to get them off without grinding into the frame.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
I dunno Frederic. . .how much of a nick are you talking about? I would think someone drilling an extra hole for some bracket or plastic clip, or to pass wire or lines through the frame would be worse than a nick (unless your meaning gouge). Junk yards are always good, if you can get the peice out. Best bet may be Ford dealer. Or try Advanceauto or AutoZone online and see if they stock the part
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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i just removed 42 rivits from my 1979 frame. i made a slot in the head of the rivit with a 1/4" angle grinder like a flat screwdriver slot.
i then used a big cold chisel and a 5 pound hammer to remove the remainder of the rivit head.
worked really well.
Just hold the chisle with vice grips. you will hit it a lot harder without your hands too near by.
i removed 35 or so this way in less time than grinding off the other 7.
i then used a big cold chisel and a 5 pound hammer to remove the remainder of the rivit head.
worked really well.
Just hold the chisle with vice grips. you will hit it a lot harder without your hands too near by.
i removed 35 or so this way in less time than grinding off the other 7.
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