Leaf springs stuck on axle

hey guys,

I've searched and couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for. I'm changing out the leaf packs w/AAL that I currently have for a set of Dakars. I've got everything unbolted except the front and rear eyes. U-bolts and all disconnected. But the leaf packs won't separate from the seat on the axle like every video you see. Am I just missing something obvious? Could the leaf spring retainer bolt head be hanging onto the axle or something?

Any advice would be well appreciated. I'd hate to put it all back together being only halfway done. Lol

Thanks

 

Both sides appear to be stuck the same way as well.

 

^^Can you let the axle droop on the side that you are disconnecting? The head of the leaf spring center pin sits in a notch on the axle if I remember correctly, so it is easier to drop the axle using a bottle jack on the side you are working on. It also helps to loosen the u bolts on the opposite side (do not remove them) so the axle can droop more.

 

Yeah, I've got a floor jack under the side I'm disconnecting and a jack stands holding the other side. It droops a bit then hangs like normal. I was thinking the axle would continue to droop below the leafs? That's how I put the AAL in there maybe 7500 miles ago.

 

Can you post a few pictures?

 

Hit em with a rubber mallet, might just be stuck on the pin

but as other have said- you should have done one at a time. a little more manageable.

 

Yes the axle should droop enough so that tension is off the leaf springs and the leaf springs are free from the axle. I remember having to drop the axle further than I thought I would when I did my AAL. ^^^Pics would be helpful and it could also be hung up and needs to be hit with something like a mallet

 

I was originally working on just one side, but couldn't tell if one tire being on the ground was giving it a weird angle.

 

I cant quite tell but is your shock unbolted? That will give you more droop.

 

Yeah, the shock's unbolted

 

It should just pop out. Try a broad flat chisel between the spring and mount and give it a few taps with a hammer.

 

I've done hundreds of these, never had this happen haha.

I'd just pry against the spring/axle and hammer. It doesnt even look that rusty.

 

So I put a clamp on the pack on one side of the axle and you can see the overload is still touching the axle. I've hammered upwards and still nothing.

 

Idea 1. The pins are jammed in there some how. Undo the leaf pack bolt and see what you can see. Clamp the leafs together while you do this and release the tension gradually.

Idea 2. Get a bigger hammer and get serious.

 

I was just about to do that when chiselling finalling separated it. Really though, I hope the same hammer and chisel will work on the other side.

 

Good work.

 

nice! that's crazy they held together so much. glad you worked it out. hammers always work

 

Both sides took some chiselling and praying for them to pop loose. Not sure why, but my guess is it had something to do with my AAL install. But I really couldn't say for certain. The second side hasn't taken nearly as long. Guess that's true of every install I've done.

Appreciate the help TW. Where would I be without you? Except less poor maybe. Haha!

 

Currently battling this myself. Don't have a chisel, so I guess it's time to get out the dull flathead.