Looking for some advice on suspension install

I know there are write ups that go through the whole install but the ones I looked at did not quite answer my questions.

I am currently in the middle of pulling out the rear springs, I am having some trouble with the bolts attaching the front of the leaf springs to the frame. I think that I am gonna try cutting the bolts from between the bracket and the leaf. I don't know how well this is going to work out though.
Can anyone tell me what they did how they handled this part. I would really appreciate it.

Also where would be the best place to buy replacement bolts?


Thanks

 

just spray down with some pb blaster the night before, and use air impact or electric impact, thats how i did mine. did the job... but my truck was only 6 months old. i just noticed your 01'. still might work though.

i tried using just wrenchs at first but they wouldn't budge. then electic impact did the trick

 

Well I'm just about to do the same thing replace the leafs that is. If you can't get the nut off with a breaker bar you can just cut the bolt off with an angle grinder. I'm sure you can get replacement bolts from the dealer. You might want to contact them because they might have to order the parts.

 

I took a breaker bar and than put a pipe on the end of that making it about 3ft long and was able to get enough torque on it break it loose. PB blaster is your friend.

 

well I got the nuts off but the problem is just that the bolts are stuck, they just wont budge. I was beating on one of them with a 5 pound hammer for like 10 mins and it didn't even budge. and I did spray everything down well in advance, I think that it definitely helped get the nuts loose but did not help with the actual bolts and bushings.

lol ya it being an 01 definitely does not help

 

I got the nut off(thank you penetrating oil) I just can't get the bolts out. I bet that you will probably have the same problem too seeing that your truck is about the same year but good luck I hope it works out better. I will go to the dealer check. Thanks

 

Thanks, I have a breaker bar but have not tried making it any longer yet, I'll have to try it.

 

your best bet would probably be an impact hammer. and just go to town. Spray it with some oil and hit it a few times and let it sit. Do that over and over till it comes out. Even mine on my 2009 were pretty tough to get out but they came out.

 

thanks for the tip, Ill give it a shot

 

Yeah that's going to be a pain I would just shoot it with oil and beat the hell out of it cutting it won't do much. The air hammer might be your best bet. Or if you can get it to spin buy putting a breaker bar on the bolt it should come out.

 

Yeah I guess I just need to keep working at it, something will have to eventually work.

 

Yeah when I did my AAL the U bolts were giving us a problem. It took 4 guys trading off to get them all out it was a pain in the ass every turn was like breaking a bolt no joke.

 

Wow, mine were pretty tough but not THAT^^ tough lol tjat must have been horrible

 

Yeah it was pretty bad my truck has a under coating that is all over everything under the truck. Hopefully my leaf bolts are not a bad as the U bolts.

 

I helped do a buddys 96 Taco leaf packs, and he had the same issue. One we got out, but the other we had to cut then just run down to the hardware store and get a new bolt.
Used a Saws-All and it took forever and like 4-5 blades. lol.... didnt have a angle grinder at the time which wouldve helped.
Just keep working at it and youll get it..

 

Heres a tip for ya if you end up having to cut it.

Only cut a little more then half way threw, then get a breaker bar on it and the bolt will snap.

 

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it, yeah i tryed using a saws all on it a little bit and it was definitely not working out to well. I'm gonna just borrow my dads angle grinder and try again tonight.

So you found the right kind of bolt at a hardware store? I would have thought it would be some kind of custom or special bolt.

 

Nope, Nothing special. We found a grade 8 bolt that matched and it worked perfectly. We did have to go to 2-3 different places before finding it, but we found one. lol..

Not sure if you have a ParkRose Hardware store near you, but that place has tons of bolts.

 

I had the same issue with mine. Ended up using an angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel. Took about 5 minutes per side to cut through. I got some grade 8 bolts and nuts from Lowes, they usually have them in stock. Don't waste your time trying to remove the bolt, just cut them and replace them. You are going to want new hardware anyway.

 

Thanks for the help