help me

[black beast]

I am trying to replace my rear leaf springs and can't get the spring tention bolt out and its driving me mad what should i try

[Lone Ranger]

Get your hands on a plasma cutter if you can dude.. Makes the job 100x easier if you're not keeping the leafs.

Other than that lots of penetrating fluid, heat, and BFH. LR

[Bronco Boy]

Spring tension bolt? You mean the spring eye bolt? That mounts the spring to the shackle? What LR said, or you can use a grinder and cut the bolt out. The weld themselves in there over the years.

[Lone Ranger]

I'd cut and get new bolts, way simpler. If they're anything like the ones that just came out of my Ranger they'd rusted and swelled to almost twice the size inside the bushings. We couldn't even spin them with an impact so out came the plasma and they were promtly cut. LR

[black beast]

if i use a plasma to cut out the bolt im going to have to replace the bushings correct?

[Lone Ranger]

OK, you're planning on reusing the spring then right? (somewhat assumed replacing the springs).

If you have access to a plasma you're laughing, if not it's a little more work with a grinder and cut off disc. What sort of truck are you working on? Mine we got lucky on because at least one side was nicely exposed and easy to access, the insides (especially against the tank) were a bugger. Remember to shield the tank from sparks/slag and if there's any fuel leaks at all then don't even dare!! hehe

It might be ok to get a cutoff disc up inside between the leaf eyelet and hanger and cut it that way, and just get some new bolts and 2 piece bushings (reasonably cheap) and replace them while you're at it. Usually the bolt seizes to the inner sleeve and you end up cooking the bushing while you're cutting. I don't know about yours but my Ranger uses 9/16x4.5" bolts if that helps any. LR

[Marko Leiviskä]

use jackstand between leafspring and chasis, lift as much as needed to remove tension, and pull bolt away.

[black beast]

1990 f-150 and i snaped my passenger side 3 springs so i am attemting to replace them with a 5 leaf system off a f-250 with minimium cost to me I'll try the cut off disc tommorrow i think that might work as long as i dont light my gas tank on fire

[Lone Ranger]

F-150 hardware should be the same when ordering bolts, and if you're lucky (unlike me) then the bolt will pull out. If not then cut the end of the eyelet on the old leafs so that the leaf itself drops out and then peel the other side of the eyelet out and cut the bushing out, then cut the bolt/sleeve. I hate to say it but more likely than not the bolt's thoroughly siezed to the sleave inside the bushing. Hope that helps. LR

[black beast]

wheres a good place to order my bolts and bushing from besides lordco

[Lone Ranger]

I got my bolts from Fastenal here in town, and since Abby sucks for parts stores I usually deal with Steve at Lordco (4wdabc discount).

Being from Burnaby you have a way better selection out there, hopefully someone on here can help you out better than I can. LR