removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1974gmc · 07-01-2006, 07:34 PM

im trying to install a rear axle flip and trying to remove the leafs. im having trouble removing the bolts for the springs... seems like there stuck to the bushings. whats the best way to do this?

*crazymike* · 07-02-2006, 01:16 AM

cut the head off or the nut and buy new bolts

89 crew · 07-02-2006, 03:02 AM

cutting the head off the bolt will only let you beat it in both directions. It will still be just as stuck! Get ready to either take time getting it out or buying new rubber bushings! If you want to keep the bushings, wd-40 the bolts, let them set over night, take a bfh and beat the bushing end of the spring a while, wd-40 again, continue till they come off! If you want them off now, take a cutting torch burn the bushing out, heat the center sleeve, and then beat the bolt. you may have to heat then beat a few times but it will work. The only other option is cut the bolt on both sides of the spring and replace the bolt and beat the middle out after the spring is loose.

SCOTI · 07-02-2006, 11:17 AM

I tried the WD40 soaking method w/o success. I wound up having to knock the front hanger rivets off the frame & then used a shop press to press the bolt out (yes.... it was that stuck!).

I got new bolts from a specialty nut/bolt place for the spring ends which I coated liberally w/anti-sieze & used Grade 8 hardware to bolt the front hangers back on.

BrianJordan · 07-02-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89 crew

cutting the head off the bolt will only let you beat it in both directions. It will still be just as stuck! Get ready to either take time getting it out or buying new rubber bushings! If you want to keep the bushings, wd-40 the bolts, let them set over night, take a bfh and beat the bushing end of the spring a while, wd-40 again, continue till they come off! If you want them off now, take a cutting torch burn the bushing out, heat the center sleeve, and then beat the bolt. you may have to heat then beat a few times but it will work. The only other option is cut the bolt on both sides of the spring and replace the bolt and beat the middle out after the spring is loose.

1974gmc · 07-03-2006, 01:13 AM

ya so what ive done is took the angle grinder and the through the bolts between the spring and the hanger. So now i just need to pess the old bushings out and get new bolts. thanks for the tips tho

07-01-2006, 07:34 PM	#1
1974gmc In Progress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kamloops, BC, Canada Posts: 312	removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd im trying to install a rear axle flip and trying to remove the leafs. im having trouble removing the bolts for the springs... seems like there stuck to the bushings. whats the best way to do this? __________________ 1993 Chevrolet K2500 454 4L80E 1974 GMC 1/2t 2wd Stepside 305 auto sold 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 5spd

07-02-2006, 01:16 AM	#2
crazymike Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada Posts: 31	Re: removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd cut the head off or the nut and buy new bolts

07-02-2006, 03:02 AM	#3
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd cutting the head off the bolt will only let you beat it in both directions. It will still be just as stuck! Get ready to either take time getting it out or buying new rubber bushings! If you want to keep the bushings, wd-40 the bolts, let them set over night, take a bfh and beat the bushing end of the spring a while, wd-40 again, continue till they come off! If you want them off now, take a cutting torch burn the bushing out, heat the center sleeve, and then beat the bolt. you may have to heat then beat a few times but it will work. The only other option is cut the bolt on both sides of the spring and replace the bolt and beat the middle out after the spring is loose.

07-02-2006, 11:17 AM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd I tried the WD40 soaking method w/o success. I wound up having to knock the front hanger rivets off the frame & then used a shop press to press the bolt out (yes.... it was that stuck!). I got new bolts from a specialty nut/bolt place for the spring ends which I coated liberally w/anti-sieze & used Grade 8 hardware to bolt the front hangers back on. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

07-03-2006, 01:13 AM	#6
1974gmc In Progress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kamloops, BC, Canada Posts: 312	Re: removing rear leafs on 73-87 2wd ya so what ive done is took the angle grinder and the through the bolts between the spring and the hanger. So now i just need to pess the old bushings out and get new bolts. thanks for the tips tho __________________ 1993 Chevrolet K2500 454 4L80E 1974 GMC 1/2t 2wd Stepside 305 auto sold 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 5spd Last edited by 1974gmc; 07-03-2006 at 01:13 AM.

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