Leaf spring center bolt won’t go through, help

I had attempted to put 1” rear blocks on the rear of my Taco, and for some reason the leaf spring center holes would NOT align. Now I’m taking out the blocks, and have no clue how to recenter the holes. Can anyone help

 

Put the bolt in the bottom through as many leaves as possible. Stick a screwdriver in the top and use it to leverage the leaves until the holes align. Or start with the screwdriver from the top, leverage everything into line and work the bolt in from there.

 

I will try that out right now and report back

 

This is the top on both sides, not sure how I can get a screwdriver in there

 

Use a flat tip, stick it in and pry the edge of each hole over until they are aligned. Might have to work from the top and bottom if they are really misaligned.

 

It may take some force, but the leaves should slide into alignment. I used as big a screwdriver as I could fit to get mine into place.

 

Like what was said above, no real trick other than prying it left and right until everything lines up and the bolt slips in.

 

Try using clamps on the springs, release/move some spring tension.

 

Trying the pry truck, no luck unless I’m doing it incorrectly. Feel like an idiot, hope my truck isn’t out of commission cause of this.

 

If you have the springs clamped together, loosen the clamp a bit and try it. One side was a pain for me for whatever reason.

 

Knock the leafs around with a hammer

 

More pics

 

It looks like you have weight on the springs.
Your going to have to support the frame with a jack stand or wood etc and take the weight off the springs so the individual leafs can slide.

If you pin is then to short I put a punch the same size as pin thru the clamp with a c clamp the trade the punch for the pin.

 

Are the leaves resting on the axle? Trying lower the axle to drop the leaves and change their alignment.

 

You have the individual leafs way shifted.
Gonna have to get the weight off them.

 

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I have to head to the store for larger jack stands and will report back.

 

If you have 4x4 or 6x6 blocks I usually have to build a platform for the jack stands.
Just dont try to balance them in the center. Had a few fails on that.

 

The bottom 3 leaves should just be loose, as in they’re not attached in any way. When you lower the axle this’ll become obvious. You may need a C clamp to help re-compress the leafs as you line everything back up. It’s a major pain in the ass and just takes patience

 

If anyone has more input that would be greatly appreciated. This has ruined my Christmas so far..

 

If you’re not bleeding and cursing you’re not working on your truck hard enough.