Leaf Spring Center Bolt
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
Leaf Spring Center Bolt
Is there anything else I can use? Grade 8 bolt rounded off?
Something.
I need to replace mine in the front. U-Bolts is all that's holding the axle in place. I've needed to do this since I got the truck. The whole spring setup has to be pushed forward. Hopefully that will straiten out my steering wheel.
Not a lot of spring shops anymore ya know?
Something.
I need to replace mine in the front. U-Bolts is all that's holding the axle in place. I've needed to do this since I got the truck. The whole spring setup has to be pushed forward. Hopefully that will straiten out my steering wheel.
Not a lot of spring shops anymore ya know?
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
I could not find these bolts anywhere, but there's no spring shop close to me so they might have them.
Regardless, I used a 7/16" grade 8 bolt (I'm pretty sure that was the size) and ground the head down.
Now, keep in mind that oem bolt is metric and that head has to fit snug, so I knocked the corners off on the bench grinder, then stuck the bolt in my whirly-gig and ground it concentrically on my Surface Grinder till it was the exact correct diamater and true/round. You might have more difficulty doing this, and/or I might be making a mountain from a mole hill, but that's how I dun it!
Good luck.
Regardless, I used a 7/16" grade 8 bolt (I'm pretty sure that was the size) and ground the head down.
Now, keep in mind that oem bolt is metric and that head has to fit snug, so I knocked the corners off on the bench grinder, then stuck the bolt in my whirly-gig and ground it concentrically on my Surface Grinder till it was the exact correct diamater and true/round. You might have more difficulty doing this, and/or I might be making a mountain from a mole hill, but that's how I dun it!
Good luck.
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'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Ashland City, TN
Awww ****.
I baught a 3 inch bolt, and its not big enough.
Now i have no vehicle and need a ride to get a bigger one. hahaha.
I used it to line the springs up and then I c clamped them together. Now it awaits some bolts.
Looks like somebody messed with it and didn't put it together correctly.
I'm guessing, but i'm sure you dont just use washers on the top to hold it all together, cause the hole there . oh nevermind.
I took a picture of it, the bolt was sheered right in half.
I baught a 3 inch bolt, and its not big enough.
Now i have no vehicle and need a ride to get a bigger one. hahaha.
I used it to line the springs up and then I c clamped them together. Now it awaits some bolts.
Looks like somebody messed with it and didn't put it together correctly.
I'm guessing, but i'm sure you dont just use washers on the top to hold it all together, cause the hole there . oh nevermind.
I took a picture of it, the bolt was sheered right in half.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
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From: North East Ohio
Those bolts don't appear to have of any kind of harness either. Felt really soft when I was experimenting. I'd go with Gr 8 anyhow and not worry about it.
Good luck.
Good luck.
__________________
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
i have no idea what your talking bout.
anyways. they put it together wrong, whoever replaced the i beam.
they ran the center bolt up and then just stuck the shock mount plate on top, 2 washers then boldlted that all together. wth!
i did it correctly this time with 4 inch 7/16 bolt.
bolted the leafs together and slid the plate over the remainder and with a washer and nut i tightened it down some. i used the u bolts to press the plate over the nut, and then tightenend down the top bolt with a lock washer and washer to make it all one unit. so, anyways, the center bolt isnt going far, but i cannot wait for a d60 to install.
my steering wheel is all screwed up now also. no idea why.
anyways. they put it together wrong, whoever replaced the i beam.
they ran the center bolt up and then just stuck the shock mount plate on top, 2 washers then boldlted that all together. wth!
i did it correctly this time with 4 inch 7/16 bolt.
bolted the leafs together and slid the plate over the remainder and with a washer and nut i tightened it down some. i used the u bolts to press the plate over the nut, and then tightenend down the top bolt with a lock washer and washer to make it all one unit. so, anyways, the center bolt isnt going far, but i cannot wait for a d60 to install.
my steering wheel is all screwed up now also. no idea why.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Ashland City, TN
I didn't grind as much off on this time, so it fit into the axle hole pretty tight, which is good.
Everything is tight, but the axle still seems set back a bit. probably them damn bushings. oh well.
Everything is tight, but the axle still seems set back a bit. probably them damn bushings. oh well.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
I didn't grind as much off on this time, so it fit into the axle hole pretty tight, which is good.
Everything is tight, but the axle still seems set back a bit. probably them damn bushings. oh well.
Everything is tight, but the axle still seems set back a bit. probably them damn bushings. oh well.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
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From: Ashland City, TN
I'm working on it right now, but with no way to get the tires safely off the ground, i gotta go with the move it back and fourth method after adjusting.
it's going slow.
Went from about 10.30 to 9.30.
When it shoulda straitened out.
really annoying.
My fault though for doing all the adjustment for the tie rod ends when i replaced the one. I need to replace the other, but the money isn't there. its not bad, but the boot is broke.
And on another note.
I took my 45 out, and cleaned it up, and braised the joints.
well, if anyone decides to do this, cause all they can afford is a vent pipe at the time.
Make sure its at a 45 when you braise it, not a 90, like i adjusted it too like an idiot. haha. Good thing a 90 works pretty decently!!!!!!!!
I reinforced the ends by braising them as well, so its safe till i hook up with Clay.
Truck runs better with the dog house clean as well, no smoke out the dip stick now.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 3
If you still want the center bolts, check this place out http://www.huskyspring.com/main.taf?cat=158
Rusty
Rusty