Leafspring change help.

My leafsprings were sagging and I decided to change them today.

It's my first time doing this and I didn't plan this very well.

Right now, the rear is jacked up by the rear axle. I also have jackstands holding up the rear axle.

I undid the ubolt nuts. The front and rear shackle bolts are still on (but broken loose).

I was going to hammer the ubolts loose when I noticed that I didn't undo the rear shock. I'm guessing I should place jackstands on the frame before undoing the shock bolt?

Can I proceed WITHOUT undoing the shock bolt?

 

Id want the frame supported and the axle. You may or may not be able to do it with the shock on. BUT, id take the shock off so i had more room to work. A bottle jack helps getting springs to line up as well.

 

https://youtu.be/akIE8tkPgqc

 

I generally stick a old tire under the frame when I’m hammering and prying on stuff while I’m under the truck.

A ratchet strap helps with locating the axle under the new leaf springs.

Also before final torque of the leaf springs, have the truck weight on the new springs.

 

Super easy, here's an old post of mine with a 5 minute write
-up

 

Sounds like you should take your time and really think about what parts of the truck are being supported by what.

When I work on the springs:

Break loose all bolts I'm going to be working on (in this case, front and rear leaf spring bolts, upper shackle hanger, u bolts, lug nuts, shock bolts, etc... Anything you wouldn't want to bang on while the truck is aloft).

Transmission in gear/park and secure the front wheels.

I'll jack the entire rear end up (3 ton jack under the center of the axle), pull the tires off and put them under the frame rails.

Then place jack stands (3 ton or greater) often supported by some 2x12 (x2) boards just forward of where the frame rails start to curve up.

Then lower the jack until the frame rails are resting on the jack stands. At that point I'll disconnect the e-brake cables at the bell cranks, and free up the ABS lines (un clipping them from the axle so they have some flex in them).

Lower slightly more until the shocks easily come off. set aside.

Then I'll work on one side at a time. Remove the u bolts and lower the jack until the spring is free. When you work on the drivers side- pay close attention to the brake line.

Doing one side at a time really helps keep the axle in fore-aft position better, but you may still need ratchet straps or otherwise to help pull it forward. At no point should you drop the jack all the way to the ground. You'll likely do damage to the brake line. You'd also run the risk of the slip yoke coming out (it's probably a good idea to make match marks on the slip yoke prior).

Be very mindful of the abs lines while reinstalling the u bolts. Those harnesses are expensive.

 

You probably want to set things up similar to this in an effort to not die.

 

I really like the 4x4s strapped together with 2x4s for the extra height (as opposed to my current 2x12 x2 situation). I'll be checking the Home Depot short scrap pile the next time I make it there...

 

I was able to wiggle out the leafsprings from the front shackle. Now, I'm having trouble removing it from the rear. The rubber seems to have fused to the bolts.

Is this correct?: The rear shackle is a single piece of metal with two bolts protruding, and it's held by another plate metal with two nuts... The two bolts are permanently attached to the shackle. And once I loosen the nuts, I have to hammer on the two bolts to remove the outside facing plate...?

 

My setup is 75% of that. So far I am alive. I am doing one spring at a time. The tire on the other side is still on.

 

Correct:

 

Use the jack under the diff to relieve tension in undoing the leaf pack.

Should be about done now? That's if you're not dealing with rust.

Not sure you saw my walkthrough, but if you didn't, make sure you only torque to spec after install is complete and the vehicle is sitting on its own weight.

 

See walkthrough above

Or the added picture posted by @Andy01DblCabTacoma

 

Damn. It would have been easier if I ordered that kit as well. I'm planning on reusing what's already on the truck.

 

Those can be reused.

Not u-bolts though.

 

@Kwikvette I think that was my picture post...and I want my GD credit.

 

FiFy

 

I got new ubolts.

Any tips on making removing the rear shackle easier? I've removed the nuts. I've hammered on the two pins/bolts of 30 mins and they will not budge. The rest of the leafspring is free so it's not like it's getting hung up somewhere...

 

Not budge from...the leaf pack and hanger?

Why not run a brass drift from the side you removed the metal plate from and hammer it out.

 

If you still have one rear tire on the ground things might be bound up from being tilted. Is the frame supported during all of this...??

It sounds like you need to free up some tension because things shouldn't be that difficult to separate unless it's rusty AF.