chevrolet_kelowna
Contributor
Posts: 208
Age: 25
Loc: Kelowna BC
Reg: 11-23-07
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07-17-12 07:31 PM - Post#2249267
1991 GMC C1500 5.7 Auto
One of my leafs is bust and I grabbed a pair from the local Pick-N-Pull.
We didn't have air tools just a sawz-all and a breaker bar/sockets and these springs were a real censored even with the truck box already removed. We had to cut the frame mounts because the bolts would not come out of the bushings.
Can't do that on my good truck. Any tips or suggestions for removing my broken ones and re-installing. I'm contemplating sending it to my mechanic with a hoist. I also remember there were a couple bolts that turned out towards the frame. that's also why we cut the mounts. The bolts either needed to be cut in half or they wouldn't come out because they would hit the frame.
Someone had a good link to u-bolts were the plate sat on top instead of collecting rust on the bottom.
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rockfangd
Contributor
Posts: 549
Age: 27
Loc: Utica ny
Reg: 04-13-10
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07-17-12 08:48 PM - Post#2249297
In response to chevrolet_kelowna
I had to cut the bolts on the shackles on my truck. The bolt seizes into the sleeve on the bushing and wont budge. Usually a larger cutoff disc on a angle grinder does best. Cut the bolt on both sides on the inner side toward the leafspring and then the leafspring will come right out.
MAke sure you use the right shackle bolts for the reinstall.
Also do not reuse the ubolts. I wish I knew about the reversed ubolt kit when I did mine. I would have done it
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chevrolet_kelowna
Contributor
Posts: 208
Age: 25
Loc: Kelowna BC
Reg: 11-23-07
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07-20-12 12:58 AM - Post#2250155
In response to rockfangd
Since the box was off I was able to find a huge bolt in the wrecking yard and pound it out with a 5lb sludge hammer. Man do they ever seize into that rubber bushing.
Should I grab new bolts and bushings from GM. I'm wondering if rock auto has bolts and bushings. I find AutoPartsTomorrow to be around 15-20% cheaper.
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JaVeRo
Member
Posts: 280
Loc: East Texas
Reg: 02-02-06
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07-20-12 05:23 AM - Post#2250178
In response to chevrolet_kelowna
Offroad Design U-Bolt Reversal Kit.
I haven't tried one yet. My 96 has other problems that come first but when I get ready to swap the axle, this is what I plan to use.
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/uboltreversal ...
James
2003 S10 Blazer 4wd (wife's)
2001 S10 Crew Cab (wife's mail truck)
1996 K1500 (mine)
1979 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd 4spd with a "Gilley's" bumper sticker, my first brand new truck.
2006 K1500 Company Truck
2006 K2500 NV4500 4.10's |
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 someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23403
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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07-20-12 05:32 AM - Post#2250184
In response to JaVeRo
It's almost exactly the same hardware you would have when you do a flip kit to lower the rear end, just that it aims the other way. Nothing wrong with that setup at all.
Richard
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rockfangd
Contributor
Posts: 549
Age: 27
Loc: Utica ny
Reg: 04-13-10
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07-20-12 09:55 PM - Post#2250472
In response to someotherguy
yes rockauto sells the shackle bolts. If you buy the shackle it comes with one. At least they used to.
And yes they do seize bad. I think thats why the leafs break. everything seizes tight and nothing can flex
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