I plan on replacing leaf springs soon. I would like to cut a window above the front mount (The pressed in nut) so I can soak the threads with PB blaster. Where exactly do I cut? From what I can see there is a raised sheet metal section right above the leaf spring mount under the back seat. Anyone have pics or tips???

Thanks.

 

When soaking the plate nuts to remove body-to-frame bolts, I just drill a few holes in that area and use the penetrating oil with the plastic tube on the can nozzle, and hose the area where the nut is. Seems to work for me...
So maybe you don't need to cut a chunk of metal out (?)

 

I didn't have to cut mine, because the floors are rusted out and I haven't gooten to replacing those sections yet, but maybe the video I made can give you some ideas of where you want to cut through.... but, I will say, heat will be your better friend. Here's the video I made and it sort of explains why I think heat is better than PB on these particular bolts.

 

Good video to show how the springs are mounted in there. Looks like your way with the bushings & bolts, and cutting the eye on the spring works good!!


Bill

 

I also vote for drilling a hole instead of cutting a window. From the top on the inside would probably be best but a bit more of a pita than from the bottom.

 

That's what I was kind of thinking when I saw this yesterday.
When I did my son's all the bolts came loose (impact) bu one was solid in the sleeve/eye, heated it to the point that there wasn't much left of the rubber. Was almost to the point of taking cutting torch to the eye.

 

That's what happened to mine. I think 3 out of the 4 bolts were seized to the bushing sleeves.

 

When I did mine I cut the main lead off the bushing and then removed the bushing and then cut away the sleeve. The sleeve was the only part rust welded. The bolt came out of the weld nut just fine on all 4 locations. I did soak them with pb blaster for a week.

 

By any chance does anybody know what size bolts are used for the leaf springs?

 

Does anyone know on what side of the raised sheet metal to cut??

Thanks.

 

m14 x 2.0 pitch x 120mm long
Get the 10.9 class in Metric (equivalent to grade 8 standard)
You don't want class 8.8 metric! (Equivalent to grade 5 standard)

 

Thank you foreveryoung!

 

Are they the same bolts for all 4 leaf spring mounts/locations?

 

Yes. All 6 bolts are the same. Two front spring to frame, two rear spring to shackle, and two rear shackle to frame. All the same.