bolts are stuck... zomfg!!!!!!!!!

[75??? franken-trunk]

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

[BigHemi353]

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

[BigHemi353]

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

[Blazin]

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

[fitz]

  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.

[4x4orbust]

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!!

[75??? franken-trunk]

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???

[ccz145a]

bullpin and a 3lb pursuader.

[BigHemi353]

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