Leaf Spring Removal

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blacknine

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Orlando, FL

• Feb 12, 2010

• #1

So the eye bolts on my springs are frozen in the bushings, and I have resorted to cutting them out, as per what I found searching on here. But I cannot cut through these things, i have wrecked 5 or 6 sawzall blades, and I cant get my dremel to cut all the through. I have cut one side of the rear bolt off, but the other side is just having none of it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should use? Short of a plasma torch or something.

 

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Tonytj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Aurora, OH

• Feb 12, 2010

• #2

I'm pretty sure I took a grinder to mine...just the head. I was able to get one unbolted, but the other had to get cut. Then drove it out with a hammer and punch. Why they put the nut on the side they put it on is beyond me.

 

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Ian Christiansen

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Shelby Township, MI

• Feb 12, 2010

• #3

I started to cut mine and gave up after going through too many blades as well. I used a torch to heat them up, and hit them with an impact. And lots of PB Blaster. Get them hot and then spray with the PB and it wicks it in.

 

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2doorXJsFTMFW

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Albany NY

• Feb 12, 2010

• #4

i used a huge grinding wheel and a sawzall

 

Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

NAXJA Member

Location

Minneapolis, MN

• Feb 12, 2010

• #5

Use a 4" angle grinder with a cutting wheel.

 

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blacknine

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Orlando, FL

• Feb 12, 2010

• #6

Well, the rears off. Now I'm working on the front. I actually got the bolt to loosen without breaking until it was about 3/4 of an inch out, then it started spinning. I was hoping it was just the bushing but now that I look at it, its still going into the other side, where the weld nut is. Any suggestions on this?

 

Brad M.

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Utah-opia

• Feb 12, 2010

• #7

blacknine said:

Well, the rears off. Now I'm working on the front. I actually got the bolt to loosen without breaking until it was about 3/4 of an inch out, then it started spinning. I was hoping it was just the bushing but now that I look at it, its still going into the other side, where the weld nut is. Any suggestions on this?

Click to expand...

Did you soak everything down with PB Blaster (or similar loosening agent) first? If not I would strongly recommend spraying the nuts and bolts down real good. Try the pre-heating method that was mentioned earlier in the thread as well. Usually between PB and some heat you can get stuff loose.

 

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blacknine

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Orlando, FL

• Feb 12, 2010

• #8

I PB'd everything to hell and back for a week. I still ran into issues, at this point, the bolt is just spinning so I dont know what good it would do.

 

Brad M.

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Utah-opia

• Feb 12, 2010

• #9

Ah, well in that case you might have to break out torches, cutters, grinders, hammers, punches, drills, assortment of cusswords, and just hope for the best.

Good luck!

 

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blacknine

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Orlando, FL

• Feb 13, 2010

• #10

Well, finally got the damn spring off....one down one to go. Looks like I'm going to be cutting into the pocket and removing the weld nuit. At this point I'm just thinking of using a locknut because I do not have access to a welder at all and I want this heep back on the road. We will see if it gives me trouble