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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: 75??? franken-trunk on March 30, 2009, 09:28:57 pm

Title: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 75??? franken-trunk on March 30, 2009, 09:28:57 pm

whats the best way to get out the six leaf spring and shackle bolts for the rear suspension from start to finish please...

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: BigHemi353 on March 30, 2009, 09:45:25 pm

If its anything like my truck, the bolts are seized in the metal bushing.  I used a torch to cut off the head of the bolt and the thread end of the bolt. I then took the torch and tried to shorten the bolt so it would be short enough to slide out of the hanger and/or shackle. I then used a crowbar and pryed down on the leaf spring to remove it. This will catch your bushings on fire so you'll need new ones.  I have a hard time explaining things so this might be a little hard to understand. lol somebody else might have another way....thats my way.  Andy

i got a pic of me doing it....hold on and ill get it up

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: BigHemi353 on March 30, 2009, 09:51:06 pm

(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z177/Bighemi353/0322091413.jpg)

here ya go....guess it wasn't exactly how i explained.... but i hope you get the picture... lol

i believe new rubber or poly bushing kits are around $50 or $60.... and i believe they come with the metal bushings as well.

Andy

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Blazin on March 30, 2009, 10:33:38 pm

If you have several blades, patience, and a sawsall you can cut the bolts inside the hangers.

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: fitz on March 30, 2009, 10:50:02 pm

  Like Blazin said, A sawzall may be the way to go. I've done many springs that way. Just stock up on blades and have at it.
  Energy Suspension makes a nice polyurethane bushings kit that includes both the spring and shackle bushings along with the steel sleeves. Just make sure to get the right kit for your truck, I believe they come in 2 sizes, 1.5" and 1.75". And don't forget some new grade 8 hardware.

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 4x4orbust on March 31, 2009, 06:25:33 am

i am replacing the bushing's on my 82, or i should say have been for 2 days.   i ended up using a sawzall and cutting the bolts in the same place big hemi torched his.   used 1 sawzall blade per cut.   then to get the bushings out, i drilled out the rubber, then took the sawzall to the outer sleeve to cut it into 2 peices, then peeled it inwards to get it to come loose (rusted in real bad).   i thought that i would have this done in a day, but maybe i just work slow...  good luck!!

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 75??? franken-trunk on March 31, 2009, 12:43:33 pm

Quote from: Blazin on March 30, 2009, 10:33:38 pm

If you have several blades, patience, and a sawsall you can cut the bolts inside the hangers.

thats what i was thinking cuz the bushings are way good so i wanna keep them and im broke from the frame swap im doing... is there a way to get the remainging bolt out of the eyelet???

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ccz145a on March 31, 2009, 12:50:41 pm

bullpin and a 3lb pursuader.

Title: Re: bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!
Post by: BigHemi353 on March 31, 2009, 07:20:14 pm

ccz, from my experience with my k-20 and s-10 have not had any luck with this route. just my $0.02.  Andy