Leafspring Rant!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
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From: Highland Village, TX
Leafspring Rant!
Tried to replace my front springs today, what a PITA. Came off fine, PO had them down to 2 leafs on each side which of course caused it to rest on the bump stops. Had a new set of front bushings and bolts. Was able to pound the rear bushings and bolts together but the front would not budge. Would up grinding off the rivets to the front mount as I could not disengage the new bushings or bolt. Need to buy one of those now.
The bushings have a small gap where they can contract when you insert them into the springs or upper mount. The problem is the bolts don't even fit into the bushings when they are not even mounted.
Anyone else swap these and had this problem?
Would heating the bushings cause them to expand enough? If I did they would never fit into the mounts. Aaaaaghhhhhhhhhhhhh!
On a positive note the engine and tranny are back together, cleaned and painted and ready to install.
The bushings have a small gap where they can contract when you insert them into the springs or upper mount. The problem is the bolts don't even fit into the bushings when they are not even mounted.
Anyone else swap these and had this problem?
Would heating the bushings cause them to expand enough? If I did they would never fit into the mounts. Aaaaaghhhhhhhhhhhhh!
On a positive note the engine and tranny are back together, cleaned and painted and ready to install.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S.C.
I replaced my front suspension a few years ago however, I installed everything new (except the leaf springs just the main leaf new), grounded off the rivets and used grade 8 bolts. Everything fitted great I brought everything from Dennis Carptener. I you are using the old stuff it is probably out of round. Double check to ensure everything is for your year truck...just my 2 cents worth
Jaye
Jaye
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,527
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Are you sure the two leaves installed by the PO are the stock ones and if he messed with the springs is there a chance he messed with the hangers too. Sounds as though he was trying to lower the truck, I would try and confirm that those are the correct hangers...
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
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From: Highland Village, TX
Originally Posted by dawolverine
I had this problem - the new bolts i had were 1/1000th too big for the hole in the bushings. Got hold of a reamer, problem sorted.
