73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: hotrod24 on September 24, 2008, 08:34:43 pm
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do yall know where i can buy spring hangers for the leaf springs besides you know who lol or the junk yard mine are in bad shape.
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Look at the home page, I think they sell them here.
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They're not in the catalog, but I think he does sell them. Worth asking.
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Not in the catalog as they aren't in stock and there is no date on them.
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Have you tried the local dealership?
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chris can you get them and how much are they?
Not in the catalog as they aren't in stock and there is no date on them.
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no i have not tryed the dealer ship but i will thanks
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I can't get them now because the supplier doesn't have a date on them, it is look bleak on those right now....
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hey would it be all right to take my leaf springs off because i am going to sand the frame before it gets bad and i need to take the spring hangers off to and what would be the best way to get the bolts out?
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Are you talking the springs bolts? When I did mine I used a cut-off wheel on a grinder (6" grinder), my bushings were shot so I didn't try to save them.
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i will just cut them off thanks
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Measure first so you can replace. I would unbolt if usable, all these parts are going to add up when you go to put it together. Find a good a donor truck.
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well i am going to replace the rear shackles and the bolts because they are gone and leaf springs with a 2.5 lift but what would be the best way to get the bolts off?
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would a torque wrench get the bolts off?
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Yep, just need to break it loose, then you could use a ratchet. if they're gone like you say, you could cut or grind them.
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You may try soaking them with a penetrant as well. If you've got a breakover bar use that instead of the torque wrench. If it breaks it's cheaper to replace assuming you can use enough force to break them. If you decide to cut them replace them with grade 8 bolts.
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Dusty,
do you have a place to do your work yet? You know you keep tearing the truck apart even more your gonna have problems like to move it, If your at the end of the rope you bette get a portable put up tent style shop that way its out of the weather and you can tear it down to the bare frame..
thanks
pat
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what would i put the torque wrench on to get them off because i thought that it was just for tighting nuts and bolts?
Yep, just need to break it loose, then you could use a ratchet. if they're gone like you say, you could cut or grind them.
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what would i put the torque wrench on to get them off because i thought that it was just for tighting nuts and bolts?Yep, just need to break it loose, then you could use a ratchet. if they're gone like you say, you could cut or grind them.
dont use a torque wrench use a breaker bar and if need be a pipe on the end of it
Or just cut em off
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ok thanks but i have bad news the nuts and washers are rusted to the shackles so i am going to have to cut the bolts :-[
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Sometimes a few dollars worth of bolts aren't worth the hassle.
Plan on the bolt shank being rusted into the bushing sleeve also.
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ok thanks for the help
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ok i worked on the one of the spring hangers and i got the leaf spring lose from it i had to grind the head off of it and then i took a screw driver and and taped it but that was not the end of it the bolt got stuck so i cut it with a die grinder but the bad news is that i am going to have to get a new hanger.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0058.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0059.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0060.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0061.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0062.jpg)
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I have to replace one of mine as well and went on a search to find one and found this http://tinyurl.com/Spring-Hanger (http://tinyurl.com/Spring-Hanger)
It looks different then the one pictured here though... Would it still work?
-Josh
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thanks and yea they should fit
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The ones linked above are for a 4x2, they are NOT the same as a 4x4, the 4x4 versions are Taller, and the ones linked are to lower a truck.
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Ok so still looking then.
-Josh
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Hit the local salvage yards and see if they have some in better shape. I've never seen any that bad but then again I may not in Oklahoma.
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:D Believe it or not mine were in worse shape. The old ones were patched up with 1/4" plate, and even that was rotting through.
I supported everything, and got a cutting wheel between the hanger and the spring eye to cut the bolts. (rear ones I just used a torch) I had a bushing kit and new bolts already.
The salvage yards up here all told me the same thing, everything pre-1990 has been crushed, try the dealership. They had them. Mine were done within the past few months.
Looking at yours you'll also need to replace the backing plate on the hanger. It's the piece below the frame boxing in the hanger.
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how did you supported everything mine is on jack stands right now would the frame fall if it is supported by the axle with jack stands?
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would a torque wrench get the bolts off?
I would not use a torque wrench to remove nuts / bolts. A torque wrench is a precision instrument for tightening bolts / nuts to an exact tightness. Use a breaker bar, or an impact wrench... or a cutoff wheel on a grinder, as the bolts are not likely in good enough shape to be used again. (at least around here)
My bolts had to be pressed out of the leaf spring eyes, after they were cut. You will probably notice a lot of rust or wear where the bolts go through the spring eye bushings once you get them apart.
Sean
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ok thank you
would a torque wrench get the bolts off?
I would not use a torque wrench to remove nuts / bolts. A torque wrench is a precision instrument for tightening bolts / nuts to an exact tightness. Use a breaker bar, or an impact wrench... or a cutoff wheel on a grinder, as the bolts are not likely in good enough shape to be used again. (at least around here)
My bolts had to be pressed out of the leaf spring eyes, after they were cut. You will probably notice a lot of rust or wear where the bolts go through the spring eye bushings once you get them apart.
Sean
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Ok found them at my local Chevy Dealer. He ordered them straight from GM.
-Josh
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well i just called and they said that there computer does not go back that fear but he said that if i had a part number he could run it did you get a part number
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Check a couple of different GM dealerships, (and guys working the parts counter). One guy on the computer was able to order my spring mounts but another time a different guy told me that my transfer case didn't go behind my transmission that year (1973) and couldn't get my seals and gaskets.
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ok thanks
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do i need these they are weld to my frame for something
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0066-1.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0067-1.jpg)
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Nope, old exaust hangers.
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what is the best way to get a bolt out of a leaf spring? i cut the bolt on both sides now it is stuck in there i tryed a hammer but did not work
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Hmm should have let the head on the bolt, that could be a problem now, I sprayed it with WD40 and pulled and it came right out. Jack the frame up so that there is no pressure on the leaf and then get a piece of metal that is bent at a 45 and put it at the back of the bracket and try and knock it out towards you.
-Josh
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yea i wish i would have left the head on it lol i will try that.
thank you
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Use an air hammer and lots of penetrating oil. Otherwise get out the torch.
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Mine got the torch. I was replacing bushings in the spring eyes, and the fire helped get the old ones out. Stinky, though!
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well i hammered and hammered the bolts and they will not come out i got a air hammer so i am going to try that.
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well the air hammer did not work now what
well i hammered and hammered the bolts and they will not come out i got a air hammer so i am going to try that.
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i have called every dealer ship but know one has them
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Did you ask if they could order them?
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yea they said that there computer only when back to 82 but if i had a part number they could maybe get them
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Didn't the part number I gave you work?
-Josh
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Dirtydog,
Post the number and I will get my contact to look it up.
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well i called them and gave them the part number and yes they can order them
thanks
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well here it is i got one of them off and boy was it a pain
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0068.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0069.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0070.jpg)
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How bad is that backing plate?
Looking good, the rest "should" go easier now that the first one is off.
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well the back plate is just like the hanger it has a hole in the middle of it now what is the best way to grind the back plates rivets?
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"smoke wrench"... They're not that bad to grind off. Is there a bolt that holds the cross member in the way? (I don't know, it looked like a rotted out sleeve on mine. Top flange to bottom flange on the frame, above that bracket)
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whats a smoke wrench? yes i can get in there to the rivets pretty easy i just did not want to lay on my back to do it.
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"smoke wrench"= cutting torch.
I was able to sit on the ground between the frame rails and get to the rivets. Saves working overhead.
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i wish i would of seen this post yesterday! i was wrestling with my rear springs the whole night! i guess everyone is having the same problem that i had! those front bolts were a pain in my a**! finally got them out with some dirty words and a sore back today but i am on the fence about my spring hangers. they are not rusted through and look ok but there is some rust on the back side where the nutt was in that pocket. i think i am going to clean them up the best i can and take a better look. is there any where i should be looking for like prone areas to be bad? i will try and post pics in the next couple of days.
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you know i went through the same thing but i said what the heck when i get a shop i am going to tear it down to the frame and start over so i am going to get the frame powdercoated and all the hangers.
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ngarman123 ,
Mine were rotted through in the same places that hotrod 24s pics showed above. Basically anyplace sand, roadsalt or any other crud can sit.
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how do you use it? thats cool though i want to take all the hangers off and one of the rear ones without harting the frame or the hangers.
"smoke wrench"= cutting torch.
I was able to sit on the ground between the frame rails and get to the rivets. Saves working overhead.
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He is talking about a oxyacetylene torch, sometimes referered to as a smoke wrench, flame wrench, blue wrench etc. There is nothing "wrench" about it. It is a torch
http://www.ironworking.com/burn.html
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hey well i am getting a car port i know it is not a shop but i am going to get it closed in but anyway my truck will not roll because i have one of the leaf springs off and i can not put it back on yet because there is a bolt in the hanger eye and i only have 4 weeks so what can i do?
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hey well i am getting a car port i know it is not a shop but i am going to get it closed in but anyway my truck will not roll because i have one of the leaf springs off and i can not put it back on yet because there is a bolt in the hanger eye and i only have 4 weeks so what can i do?
Is it the back one ? You got a cherry picker ? If its the back just wrap a chain around the frame and pick it up with the cherry picker then you can move it
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yea it is the back one but i dont have a cherry picker
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well i am ready to put my rear end back togather i have all the stuff it is just to cold right now to do anything my car port will be here friday so i need to get on the ball
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Too cold?
I just finished re-doing my ignition and double checking the carb float, it got up to a blistering 37 today. I'm running out of daylight before ambition.
Are you in a massive cold snap?
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LOL its not cold in Md but it is snowing :) (ok flurrying I want a BLIZZARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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lol It has been in the 30s here to but i have Rheumatoid Arthritis and lets just say the cold weather is not my best friend :(
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Sorry to hear that, hope it warms up for you.
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thanks me to
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how long will i have to heat the bolt up
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how long will i have to heat the bolt up
Depends on how rusty it is.
Are you using Propane or Mapp?
Mapp wont be as long, you can also can a Mapp Oxy rig and then it wont take any time
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it is propane
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well i got the bolt to turn but it will only turn in the bushing with the metal peace so if i heat it up will the bolt come right out?
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well i got the bolt to turn but it will only turn in the bushing with the metal peace so if i heat it up will the bolt come right out?
Some times, put the nut back on the thread heat it then try smacking it with a hammer.
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My bolts were rusted solid in the bushing sleeve, that's why I mentioned replacing the bushings also.
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yea i am going to replace the bushings but right now i am just moving it but i dont think mine are that rusty just stuck so i am going to heat them up and see what happens
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well the torch worked i got my rear end back togather now i just have to push it back and then roll it down a hill to my car port but for now i think i am going to close it in with tarps and put a heater in there for now i think after x mas i will get a cherry picker and take the cab off and strip the frame
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0227.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0228.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/74chevy/SANY0230.jpg)