Almost lost my hand because of this!

Almost lost my thumb tryna open the Ubolts when I opened the last bolt the tension of the leaf spring was so strong it blew my impact wrench and it hit my upper back thump and made big hole ️ with cut. Lots of bleeding and got 6 stitches. Lesson learned to never work on suspension without experience, because it could cost your life . Be careful out there.

 

Yikes

 

Did you have the eyebolts off? Was the axle supported with jack or stands?

 

Watcha mean? I cant just unbolt the old ones and slap the new ones on? Whos got time for all this floor jacks and jackstands?

 

so what you’re saying is that leaf springs that are meant to handle several thousand pounds of weight can become highly lethal if that tension is taken off of them?

 

all of us who still have our fingers.

but for the OP...

support truck frame on jackstands, just before the front mounts on the leafs, get a floor jack under the diff. remove the u-bolts on one side. remove get the shackle bolt loose the top one then remove the one from the bottom mount in the back, completely remove the one up front after then if you're replacing the shock now is a good time to remove that too, before removing the shackle completely and re installing on the new leaf pack. once its all snugged up do the other side. then do final tighting and torque to spec, then drive it a couple days and hit it again for paranoia. i do after seeing one of my shock mount bolts
loose on the bottom after getting some help from my brother in law who works in a tire and alignment shop so i figured i was good with his help...

 

No doubt. An oil change on my cars takes me about 45mins-1hr. Im up and down, up and down, repositioning stands looking at jack points etc. then really let it drain, and check for leaks off and on. Havent changed oil on my truck yet, but when I do Ill still place jack stands underneath it even though I wont be jacking it. I was just being facetious.

Glad OP is okay, and weve all done what was really dumb shit in hindsight. Stay safe guys.

 

i have ramps, kick them under the tires drive up, slide my catch up under grab my oil, plug washer and ratchet and socket. and the grease gun and a pen light. but i also have enough ground clearance to slide up under the truck on my creeper and not hit anything under there hanging down.

 

I am not understanding how the injury occurred. The u bolts are not under tension like the center nut on the front coils. On level ground, the ubolts can be replaced readily. Maybe the leaf center bolt is broken and/or the nut missing?

 

Having the truck supported by the frame and letting the axle droop, would do it.
Glad O.P. still has his hand.....(to o.p.)
Next time watch a video 1st.
There's plenty out there.

 

I just pop open the Fumoto valve and let it do the messy stuff.

 

eh, i like the idea of them. but not my style honestly.

 

You have trust issues too?

 

Sounds like his center bolt left the chat

 

eh... yeah, ive also been a tech, and seen one of those not all the way "locked" dripping a little oil, but i also still terrified by the 6.7l ford powerstroke the one twist factory drain plug

 

Big arse C-clamps……..get some