Leaf spring installation help

Hello! Been helping my friend install his suspension all day, we’ve run into quite a few roadblocks considering his truck is older (06) but now we’re totally stumped. We got the old leaf springs out and are left with a bolt protruding from the rear axle where they rest. In the videos we have been watching, the bolt is not attached to the rear axle, you can just drop the rear axle and it pops out. Here’s some pictures. Is this suppose to be here? And will we need to saw these off to lay down the Dakars?

 

That's the centering pin from the old leaf springs. Spray with some penetrating fluid, heat up with a torch, grab with vice grips and twist out and it'll come out from the perch.

 

Just gave that a shot, took everything out of me to get it to twist and ended up snapping off.

 

You’re going to have to remove the remaining piece to install the new leaf pack. The centering pin on the new pack needs to seat in that hole. You may need to grind it flush and drill it out.

 

Ouch, that's really siezed. Good thing is the old pin can drop out from the perch. Here's my next suggestion (take with a grain of salt). Continue to spray with penetrating fluid for the next few hours, pound it out with a punch and hammer. If that doesn't work you can drill it out, so long as the new leaf will fit in there. Worst case scenario you are having to weld a new perch onto the axle, but doubtful it will come to that.

 

I'd grind that flush and try to punch it thru. If it still doesn't want to budge drill a hole in the center to relieve some pressure then try to punch it thru again.

 

Brute strength and anger will always prevail! Seized bolts suck but that one isn't the worse I've seen.

 

This ^^^.

 

About to give these recommendations a shot.. wish us luck. Thanks for the feedback! Will report back

 

torch the shit out of it

 

Agree ^

 

Well? Did you get it?

 

Yup! Long night doing the fronts. Took a ton of grinding and drilling but eventually got it out!

didn’t get a picture after we got the bolt completely out, I was too eager to finish the installation.