rear leaf spring bracket removal

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Mar 29, 2009 | 01:57 AM

rushinriver

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2006

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rear leaf spring bracket removal

89 f-250 4by4. on the passenger side the rear leaf spring bracket is almost rusted off.. and it appears that its rivited to the frame of the truck and i'm wondering if theres any easy ways of getting it off. i also have duel tanks and it appears to also be in the way a bit. thanks

Mar 29, 2009 | 06:46 AM

Lou Braun

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 1,372

Likes: 14

From: West Cornwall, CT

That bracket is riveted to the frame with 7/16" rivets. If you can get a grinder in there, grind off the top of each rivet head and knock out the rest of it with a punch. The rear gas tank prevents use of a cutting torch so you get to do this the hard way.

When installing the replacement bracket use 1/2" grade 8 bolts. You might have to drill the hole in the frame a bit. You want the bolts to fit into the holes with almost no clearance so that there will be no side to side play when everything is put back together.

The toughest part of this job is dealing with the rusty (and usually frozen) bolt that passes through the leaf spring eye. That gas tank seems to get in the way. I'll bet that some of the other folk here have found an easy way to replace those brackets.

Lou Braun

Mar 29, 2009 | 07:56 AM

ottawaguy

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 973

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From: Gatineau, Quebec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou Braun

I'll bet that some of the other folk here have found an easy way to replace those brackets.

Maybe someone, but not me.
I changed both of my rear hangers and did it exactly as you described. The rear tank is in the way, which did not make the job as easy as it could have been, but it was not too bad. I use a spanner (on the tank side) and ratchet to tighten them. Don't remember what torque I put on them...but make sure they are good and tight. Locktite might be a good idea, though I just used a grade 9 with self-locking nuts.
*I will mention though that if possible, use a bolt that does not have the thread all the way to the head.

Mar 29, 2009 | 08:00 AM

kaotikedge_111100

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 516

Likes: 1

From: La Crosse, WI

An air hammer with a rivet end works really well for shearing off those rivet heads and changing to a punch drive the rivets out, takes about 1 minute per rivet. Of course you will need an air compressor and a air hammer to do this. Wish I would have bought mine years ago now that I have them.

If you don't have those an angle grinder is the only way with the gas tank where it is. The angle grinder works really well, grind off the top of the rivet and then like Braun said you use a punch and a BFH and they will eventually come out. This takes about 10-20 minutes a rivet with the bed on, with the bed off it is much easier.

Mar 29, 2009 | 08:15 AM

Sportruk

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 318

Likes: 3

From: Brampton, On. Can.

I use a drill to take the rivets out.
Center punch the head of the rivet. Drill through with a 1/8" bit. With a 3/8", drill only deep enough that you know you have gone the depth of the frame so you leave the bottom of the rivet for the punch to push on. A hammer and chisel will usually take the head off with one hit. With a punch, drive the rivet out.

Mar 29, 2009 | 10:39 AM

quicklook2

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 11,289

Likes: 6

From: Lakewood, Ohio

i use a small grinder.

cover your hands and arms are you will get burned.

i get my stuff from ford but you can find them on ebay.

Mar 29, 2009 | 02:22 PM

kennyrandolph

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 54

Likes: 0

From: monticello

i just replaced mine the othe day. i just used a 4 1/2in grinder and grinder the heads off and punched the rivets out. i had to replace the mount and the shackle. I got my Shackel from rockauto.com and with the discount code it was only $47 buck with 2 day express delivery. they also have the shackle there too. i didnt plan on replacing the shackle when i ordered but it needed it. got it from the ford dealer for like $52 that includes both blolts for it also. it olny took about an hour (not includung driving time to get the shacle) to do one side.