Leaf Spring Removal 1990 F150

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Nov 27, 2006 | 08:57 PM

oldcoupe42

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Tuned

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From: New Jersey

Leaf Spring Removal 1990 F150

I dove into this one and would like to back track. What is the "preferred" method of getting the eye boltd out the rubber bushing of the leaf spring? I have already mangled the rear shackle by trying to beat the bolt out with a hammer and part of me wants the group to chime in and say "fire up the torch and burn rubber", but the fuel line along the frame rail has me concerned.
Thanks, Chet

Nov 28, 2006 | 07:29 PM

75F350

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Since the stubborn end is the shackle end, is it possible to remove the other bolt on the shackle, so you can remove the whole unit (shackle and spring) and then "burn rubber"away from the gas tank?

Nov 28, 2006 | 08:41 PM

oldcoupe42

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Tuned

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From: New Jersey

Thanks for all the replies, I managed to chisel off the rivets on the shackle end (rear I think) and will need to repair the damaged eye hole for the spring bolt. I may try some heat on the front bolt to try and free the bolt from the metal sleeve. I'll keep you posted and try to add some pics

Chet

Nov 29, 2006 | 11:37 AM

ness0012

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From: Ottawa

I had to torch the ones on my '89 F150 it was the only way to remove them. Just do it when there's a light breez to carry the lovely scent away.

Dec 5, 2006 | 11:55 PM

themetalmaster

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From: South Jordan, Ut

Just got new springs for my 90 F150 are they hard to change? and should I do all the bushing at the same time?

Dec 8, 2006 | 09:33 AM

oldcoupe42

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Tuned

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From: New Jersey

themetalmaster, I just finished one side (drivers) and I would reccomend either melting the old busings with a torch so you can remove the eye bolts from the spring hangers or drill/chisel the spring mount rivits off and replace the mounts as well. I tried removing the spring bolts without heating the bushings and destroyed the rear mount + the front mount was badly rusted. You may need to have a shop press to install new bushings, but others have said the "polly" ones just go right in. I bought new shackles w/ bushings already in place and re used the spring bushings I got w/ junk yard springs ($100 a pair) I got new spring mounts + shackles here. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/0007.html

Chet

Dec 8, 2006 | 12:40 PM

rebocardo

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From: Atlanta GA

In some cases only a torch will do, BUT, if you have a big enough impact wrench (3/4" if really stuck) you should be able to loosen it, then drive it part way out, and finish it by getting on the inside (frame side) and take it the rest of the way out with an air chisel.

Poly bushings install easily.