[MULESHOESINC]

well like the title says this is my first time doing leaf springs i have one broken one on the right rear and im going to go ahead and do both of them and since this being the first time any advice you folks might have would be greatly appreciated i have a 99 f350 SD SRW with the B leafs so yeah

 

[techkdb]

It's likely that the bolts will be rusted in ... they spin but will not slide out ... an air impact can be useful in driving them out ... might have to hook the head with a blunt chisel ..

 

[BTBBT]

If you are just swapping spring packs then you should have an easier time. Like techkdb said the bolts will probably be rusted into the sleeves inside those rubber bushings. The best way I've found is to just cut off the old bolts and you can pry out the old parts. New bolts will definitely make things a lot easier.

If you are just swapping leafs then having a few rather large c-clamps can make things much easier. But again, new hardware is always a life saver. If you are doing this, I highly suggest a new center bolt.

Now, in talking with the local spring shop here I was told that if you aren't doing any radical changes that require longer or shorter u-bolts then you can reuse the old ones. Now, I was always told that they stretch and you want to replace them when ever you remove them. Who's right? Both seem to have been having good results. Me personally I always end up having to cut at least one of them off because of rust. In that case, new ones are always needed.

And just a word of caution when cutting u-bolts... they will pop when they break through. Just be waiting for it and please, make sure you have everything supported properly so there isn't any axle housing falling about when it does happen. This means rotationally also.

I've done a few different spring pack jobs. They aren't too bad. Sometimes a nice big pry bar is helpful to get things lined up. those 3" ratchet straps are also a help. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine.

 

[dlblazer]

When I looked at changing my rear leaf springs, it looked like to me that the drivers spring, front spring eye bolt cannot be removed without dropping the gas tank first. The bolt needs more room than whats avaiable to pull out of the spring.

Check that first ebfore removing anything else - maybe there is another way to do it, but I didn't see it. BTW, I've got a SRW, ext cab, short bed. If you've got a long bed, it should be different.

 

[scoutguy66]

If you are just swapping leafs then having a few rather large c-clamps can make things much easier. But again, new hardware is always a life saver. If you are doing this, I highly suggest a new center bolt.

Now, in talking with the local spring shop here I was told that if you aren't doing any radical changes that require longer or shorter u-bolts then you can reuse the old ones. Now, I was always told that they stretch and you want to replace them when ever you remove them. Who's right? Both seem to have been having good results. Me personally I always end up having to cut at least one of them off because of rust. In that case, new ones are always needed.

x2 on the new center pins. If you break one of those, bad things happen. The tire could be shoved into the fender, break line gets ripped, shock gets bent. etc... spend the extra $2

A shop told me that the U-bolts are only good for one time because they are grade 5 and stretch to yield strength when you torque them. That being said, I would reuse a U-bolt if the threads look good and it is not deformed looking. It's your call.