2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Left side spring eye broken!!

[scotty-u]

My wife took her truck in for inspection yesterday, and they came back with a list of things for me to do! Most important item was a broken left side spring eye. Got the bad news, thinking no sweat, I 've got a parts truck at the house; simply job. Not quite so, according to the factory service manual. Seems as though I have to drop the fuel tank in order to remove the bolt holding the front to the spring in place.



Now my question(s). Any advice on this project? Parts truck is a '98 2500 4x4 gasser. Should I swap both spring packs, or should I look into just replacing the main spring with the eye? And, is there an easier way to get the spring eye bolt out?



Will update as progression is made. Thanks

 

[Bob4x4]

You don't have to drop it all the way loosen it up and with a wide tool pry it over a bit too make room for the bolt to come out. I would be very tempted to pull the other spring also get them both to a good spring shop for inspection/rebuild

 

[HHhuntitall]

Hmm, I'd be worried that whatever got the driver side would be after the passenger, too... . I'd replace both just be safe... . I usually just remove the rear fuel tank strap, loosen the front, and let the fuel tank down some, so it will move down and inward from the upper crossmember. Then there's plenty of room to get in there with a torx tip and ratchet to hold the bolt head if it wants to spin. Just want to be sure to watch your fuel lines, you don't want to overly stress them... .



I used to see this problem regularly with my ranch trucks... . If the truck goes up too high, like in a big bump letting the axle bottom out, the bottom of the spring in the rear hits the perch, twisting everything outward, breaking the main leaf about an inch behind the eye... . Bigger shocks and custom made main leaves have pretty much alleviated that... . Now just the rough roads and heavy loads fatigue and break secondary leaves on occasion. Not a good thing to be driving around checking water and fence and find an 18" section of spring laying in the road.....

 

[scotty-u]

Progresion has been made. Sourced new shackles (Dorman PN 722-022), new center spring pin bolts, had new leaf spring bolts bent at The Truck Shop in York, PA, and new spring eye bolts. Used the springs from my parts truck. Action Truck in New Oxford installed everything in less than 6 hours.



While searching for parts, I called the local dealer, only to learn that U bolts would cost $52 a piece,and that did not include the $4 nut. Called The Truck Shop in York, PA. , and they would custom bend them while I waited for $5. 30 (u-bolt $4. 40, U-bolt washer, extra thick $0. 40, and the deep nut for $0. 50). Explain that parts counter man!!!

 

[Bob4x4]

A lot of the price has to do with stocking a part that only fits a finite number of vehicles