The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How do you remove rear leaf spring bolts?

Hey guys, I hate asking stupid questions, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to remove the rear leafspring eye bolts.
The fronts were no problem, but now it's time to replace the rear springs.
any info would be a big help.
Please get back to me at ;
[email protected]
Thanks, Rick.

Hy topcat, could you tell us what year and what size truck please.

Most older trucks have the shackles in back, come apart easy, and then a single "pin" bolt at front eye. Usually have a thin nut on one end, then the pin bolt will unscrew from mount. They are fine threads, and may be tight, use big sockets! Look for ovaled pins, worn bushings in the frame mount. Most spring shops have these for better prices than mail-order places. Get pins, bushings and nuts. They can push the old bushing out of spring eyes, and install new ones for reasonable money. Otherwise, you will be beating and chiseling awhile to get them out at home.

If you are talking about the U-bolts holding the axle to the springs, cut those with a torch. It is not reccomended to reuse them.

If you are trying to remove the springs from the frame, then if it is a larger truck, one ton and up I think, it may have a small lock pin to remove, and then a big punch and a hammer will drive the large pivot pin out. Or a slide hammer with an adapter for the grease fitting hole works too. My 52 one ton is like this..

No need to use a slide hammer to pull the pins out.

The spring mounts welded to the 6400 frame have an access hole to drive the pins out from the inside out. All you need is a drift & a hammer after you remove the set pin.

I drove mine out, but the manual does show the slide hammer I believe.

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.
The truck is a '53 6400 2 ton(sorry, I should have included that).
I did see the acces holes in the frame, so driving them out makes sense.

So I know what to expect, what kind of pin is the set pin?

Thanks again, RICK

Hy topcat, the "set pin" is a tappered pin with a flat ground on one side to interlock with the spring pin, just remove the nut and drive them out.

Topcat...

Just throwing in my $.02...I am in the process of putting all new hardware on my springs for my 46... SAVE EVERYTHING until you find new. I tossed the 11/16th fine thread nuts that held the main eye bolt in...I did not know they were hard to get items...I have them coming now, but had to order them from Colorado...I hope they turn out to be the right ones...

Thanks Shop Shark, good advice for any project.
I'd like to know the name of the place you bought your hardware from, I will need new eye bolts for my '53, plus other stuff.
Haven't tried a local spring shop yet, but the local shops are only so so. No old shops in the area. The nearest one is in Orlando (1 hr away)
Rick