leaf spring bolts- How to remove

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I recieved my Skyjacker front leaf springs yesterday. How is the best way to remove the bolts out of the factory leaf spring eye? There stuck.
Thanks MPb

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92 W350,LE, 4x4, DRW ,4:10 LSD, auto,DTT converter, superior transmission shift kit, 16cm2, PW injectors, K&N, autometer pro comp gauges exhaust temp, boost ,trans temp, tach,pump adjustments black & silver, running boards, stainless wheel covers, 74 Road Runner, 69 Dart GTS factory 383 matching no. s

 

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The first thing to try is a big impact wrench, like a 3/4" job with at least 900 ft/lbs of torque. This is what most spring shops use to remove these stubborn bolts, after soaking them with penetrating oil. In this case you will either bust-off the bolt, or spin the nut off, both are a plus. I would refrain from using the gas axe to heat the bolts because of the neat locations of fuel lines and other assorted important things, and because one time I did this on my friend's truck and melted the bushing into the spring which wasted any time we made by heating the nut and bolt. Anyway, hope I didn't scare you, and good luck.
Russell

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually (All quiet for now)
1992 W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5" exhaust(don't ask)

 

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I changed my front leaf springs this summer with factory new ones and installed new bolts so I wasn't too worried about damaging the old ones, everyone but one come out with a two pound hammer, the last one I used a c-clamp and a socket over the bolt head to press the bolt out. hope this helps

 

[Archive]

I have found it to be much easier to remove the spring eye bolts last, after the axle U-bolts have been removed. This way, the only load on the eye bolts is the weight of one leaf spring assembly, not an entire front axle. Use lots of penetrating oil on the spring eye bolt sleeves, and press them out with a large C-clamp, and an oversize socket to go over the head of the bolt. Once you have broken the eye bolts loose in the sleeves, they should drive out with a hammer and drift punch. Be careful with the aft shackles, the spring eye bolt and chassis bolt must be driven out evenly as the bolt head shanks are both pressed into the inboard shackle plates. Hope this helps, been there and done that with a 6" Skyjacker lift.

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, K&N, straight piped, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K and still going.