The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline leaf spring removal

Gents (and Ladies)

Is there a trick to taking the old shackles off in order to remove the leaf springs? I looked at the new ones to see how they come apart and i removed all bolts but they are still stuck. I currently have my 51 3100 up on stands so there is weight hanging on the leaf springs (rear axle). I have also tried to beat the shackles out with a hammer, but i don't think they have moved at all. do i need to use my jack to lift up slightly on the leaf springs? That is about the only thing that i have not tried.

thoughts, ideas or tricks?

Are you asking about the side plates?
The ends of the pins are tapered and the side plates have matching tapered holes. It just takes a good rap with a good hammer.

dave,
I removed the center pin on the rear shackle already but can't get pin out of front or rear shackle (side plates) off. I cant see anything else to take apart on them. I have even tried squirting lube into the side plate/pin joint and beating them with a hammer.

They stick good and tight. Time for a bigger hammer.

If you are careful, and if you can get an air hammer/chisel in between the eye of the spring and the plates...in combination with a big hammer...that should break it free. But be careful, you can mar up the metal pretty easy with those air chisels.

Maybe some heat would help!

soak all points with penetrant -remove the front bolts- remove the center bolt from the shackle- pry or tap (hammer) the inner shackle plate off -remove spring- use a center punch or pry bar to remove the upper pin from the mount. If you have threaded shackle pins try turning them CCW.

Thank guys... I have been soaking all points with penetrating oil since last night. I will get the BFH out tomorrow and start swinging. Hopefully i can get it all taken apart, then it will be the second side and later the front end!

OK, i got the plates off with a BFH (sledge). I am unable to get the front bolts out. I am resoaking in penetrating oil. i have tried to use a small sledge to "tap" them out and i have tried to un screw them with a 15/16th socket. I even heated them to the point that the grease was running out like water. Don't worry, i took the zerk off the end and stayed to the side in case it started to spit grease so i didn't get burned. I have even tried to grind the end of the bolt off, but that didn't even work (probably a huge mistake!)

Other then the grinding, i don't know what else to do now. I am at a loss! does the front bolt of the 51 chevy 3100 have to be unscrewed? Or should i just hit it even harder

I used a 1/2 inch impact to get mine off the 42.

Do you know that there is a lock nut on the inboard side?

I guess that i am going to have to borrow an air compressor and go at it again then. Thanks, I will try that next.

Chris

Dave,

Sorry, i missed your message. Yes, I noticed that right away when I compaired the new parts with the old to ensure that i have everything correct. I have undone everything so it should come right off. I also figured that would help me figure out the sizes for wrenches and also see what to undo.

Chris

Just a thought, on my truck, 52 1/2 ton the front spring rear bolt is threaded into the bracket on the frame. The rear spring front bolt looks the same. With the lock nut off and the lock washer off and a jack under the axle I was able to turn the bolt with a wrench and it backed right out. Like I said the rear spring set up looks very much the same just turned around. with the moving shackles at the rear instead of the front. About 15/16 wrench maybe 1 inch to turn that pivot bolt out. No hammer needed. Classic shows the same part for front and rear so should be like mine I would guess. Use the jack to raise and lower the spring and it should all come apart. Now with a bit of rust and dirt that might be a lot more difficult than mine was. But it will come apart.

you are correct! they have threads that are in the frame.. i heated one of them and got it out. The other i stripped the head on the pin. not sure how i will get that one out yet.

You are getting the hang of it. You might try welding a bolt head to what is still there. cut the bolt part off and try turning it out. A wrench will fit the new bolt head and it just might get it done.

that would be awesome if i had a welder and knew how to use one! haha... been heating it every day and using penetrating oil on it whenever i walk past it. Hopefully that will help me out!