Help! Replacing leaf springs

I broke head off rear leaf hanger.

Cut it? How hard to get a replwcement? Grade 8 from harfwarr store or toyota only? Put tohether n take it to a shop? Lol

 

I think when I replaced mine a few months ago I just threw some grade 8 bolts in with lock nuts. Its held up fine so far. I'm no expert but I think it will be fine.

 

BEEN there done that.....

If you can get a sawzall in there and cut the bolt on the other side....it should drop. You might have to spread the hanger (plates) apart slightly.

At that point..... you just gotta get the rubber bushing OUT of the spring. It was like 10 years since I had to do that..... so I can't remember if there was an outside metal case on the bushing. It could (theoretically) be a beotch to work with.

You'll need new bushings & new bolts. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting GREASEABLE bushings & GREASABLE bolts.
Similar to this kit:


You can get these online and/or at your local offroad shop. There are many different brands and come in different sizes. You have to make sure you get the proper stuff. I've had these on my Jeeps...and they're absolutely WONDERFUL.

 

Theyve got bushings installed. I need bolts (and a ride to the hardware store on friday nite) can i get em at lowes ive got the dimensions and a nut and broken head...need a ride...

 

Yep, grade 8 bolt works fine,.

 

Offer a buddy a 6 pack

 

6pck and gas $ did it

Hopefully lowes has what i need :/

Places to find grade 8bolts on friday nite???? Suggesyions?

 

Yeah, I don't think many people have ever been able to get those front bolts out without cutting. That's why I bought new parts for all of it.

Not sure where you'll find grade 8 bolts honestly.

Also, if you only have bushing in the leaf packs and don't have any replacement sleeves then you're going to be worse off....

 

Just tap it out with a small bolt. Should be able to get it out easy really with the leaf not attached to anything.

Just get a new bolt

 

I have never had leaf bolt issues

 

If the nut is still on the other side then there's no way he'd be able to tap it out.....

I'm surprised considering where you live!

 

He can tap it out and then either cut it or use vice grips and a wrench and get it off?

And in wy? No way man. Dry dry dry there. Super dry.

 

Tap it out and cut it off, yes. It'll be hard with the gas tank there though... Vice grip and a wrench would be a pain and a waste of time if you have access to a cut-off wheel or something. We tried using a sawzall first and it didn't even touch the freaking bolt!

 

I had luck at Home Depot finding grade 8's for my old f150 caliper brackets, they were short though. Fastenal maybe?

 

I removed gas tanks skid and cut the bolt down small as possible. Unbolted everything else then bfh a few times wala lol gettin bolts now...hopefully lpwes has em

 

You didn't do you homework, did you?

Lowe's should have the grade 8s, the OEM ones are right at 4.5 inches, but the closest Lowes had was 4 and 5. Get both and see which works best. The issue may be with the shoulders on the bolts, and avoiding threads rather than shoulders resting on the hanger flanges.

And angle grinder with cutoff wheel is your friend. It's a great excuse to buy one now.

 

I bought a few different lenths of 9/16 dia bolts.

Can anyone confirm theyre 9/16 and not 1/2".

 

Got everything finished, note for others a 9/16 dia shank bolt fits great. I didnt measure the length :/

If I had to do it over, Id buy new front leaf spring bolts (or hardware store grade 8). And new shackles. The bushing and sleeve had seized to the shackle and was a huge pita to get off. EDIT: Id get a longer brake line installed the weekend before along with dropping the spare tire (Mines a DD and I HAD to finish in a weekend. I maxed my OEM line out doing the swap, probably maxed it out a bit much..

I probably spent a good 4+ hrs trying to get the 2 front leaf bolts out and the seized up shackle. Heating it cherry with a torch wouldnt even budge the sleeve, had to cut it.

Total costs
$460 shipped for standard allpro springs
$30 U bolts from wheelers + shipping?
$10 for grade 8 bolts (9/16 shank) and nuts and washers

$75 Total shop cost (auto hobby shop)

 

leaf springs + 1st gen = mucho sucky.

Im glad to see you got it back together. Installing my Dakars last year was the pita ever.

 

It wasnt too bad. Just wished id got the bolts ahead of time and new shackles.