Drivers side leaf spring bolt removal

After somehow snapping a Wheelers AAL in my stock leaf pack I purchased a used set of Dakar’s that I cleaned up and pulled a leaf out of. This, some new skid plates and a coolant flush are my big Labor Day plans.

I have the drivers side leaf ready to come out. U bolts off, nuts off the 3 leaf pack bolts. I see how I have to drop the spare to get the shackle bolts out. How the hell do I get the forward bolt out? No access to pound the bolt through with a pin, can’t use a torch 3” from the gas tank. I’m ready to make sure my Napa has a new bolt and take a sawzall to it.

Also worth noting that this is an upstate NY truck with 175k where every bolt needs an extra 300 ft lbs to break lose or shears off immediately.

 

Sawzall or angle grinder. Put greaseable bolts back in or anti seize the stock bolts before reinstalling.

 

Granted I'm a 1st gen but I've found that it helps to take the pressure of the leaf pack off the bolt to get it to come out easier. Use your floor jack under the rear diff to lift up and take the weight of the springs off the bolt. Backs out easier that way.

Unless of course it's frozen in place due to rust and/or age... Then it's angle grinder time

 

There's a few ways, sawzall works.

I fracture the head of the bolt into 4 segements like a pizza, then chisel off the head, then I use the nut to pull the bolt through. I'll hammer the bolt through as well during this.

I'm not a huge fan of sawzalls, but thats just preference.

 

That’s a nice method too. And air hammer would probably punch it loose while a buddy turns the inboard portion

 

I use air chisels sparingly as well haha. It makes a racket when you push this bolt through. The recall had me learning on my feet.