removing leaf springs...how to??

[billetproofcustoms]

Hey guys,

I have a 75 c10 with a 8 spring pack on the rear, hate the ride in the rear..way too stiff, I dont haul or tow anything. I want to do the leaf removal/shackle setup. I have been reading all the posts I can find on removing leafs from the pack to lower and soften the ride but none of the posts explain enough, my questions are about removing the tension from the pack, seems i need 2 c clamps and jackstands...but I am still unclear on the procedure for relieving tension/removing the center pin holding the pack together..

I would just do a flip and not touch the springs, but I would still have the stiff ride? correct??

Can someone post a how to??

[bigblock73]

Just C-clamp the leaf pack together, on each side of the center pin. Then simply grind and remove the pin...unclamp and remove the overload, perhaps the one above too...then reassemble using new centering pins. I wouldn't put a shackle in yet, wait and see how much lower it sits when reassembled and go from there.

It is easier to do this with the leafs off the truck in my opinion.

[billetproofcustoms]

thanks for the info, but do i need to support the frame on jackstands? tires off? differential on jackstands?

[babyJay]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

thanks for the info, but do i need to support the frame on jackstands? tires off? differential on jackstands?

Yes, you will have to unbolt the diff from the springs, and there's a lot of weight there. good luck.

[jitteryguy]

put jackstands under the frame,place the jack under the axle then loosen one side then remove the other U bolt, let the jack down till the axle is clear of the spring. it's easyer to work with if you take the spring pack out but you dont have to. the pin is a 3/8 bolt with a round head, it will be too long when your done. get some new grade 8 bolts and grind the head down till it's round. after everything is apart you can test fit the bolt head in the axle and adjust acord'nly. use long C clamps cause the spring will spread way out. remove how ever many spring's then get a long 3/8 bolt or pin to keep the springs line'd up while you reclamp em, replace the pin with the new bolt.

[lilpoindexter]

Why not just grab a smaller set of leafs from the Junkyard?

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

Why not just grab a smaller set of leafs from the Junkyard?

Because lighter duty leafs are shorter..then you have to relocate the hangers on the frame...not easy to do.

[80SPORT]

Also the bolts are often frozen in the shackles ...if you just pull some leafs out you don't even need torches ......

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by 80SPORT

Also the bolts are often frozen in the shackles ...if you just pull some leafs out you don't even need torches ......

Sometimes, those U bolts can be as bad or worse than the spring eye bolts.

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by dropd80s

Sometimes, those U bolts can be as bad or worse than the spring eye bolts.

very true,
but AutoZone stock's Ubolt's so if it come down to it, you could cut the Ubolt. I try to spray WD40 on stuff like that several times start'n a few day's befor the project. dont always work, but most of the time it does.

[kenzie]

Hey I am new to this community, but I just wanted to drop a thank you for this thread and a few others. I used them to help me do my first leaf removal project. It went well. Also did a cut spring up front. I am about to post a thread in the forum for the age of my truck, it's a 97 suburban.
thank you for your help everyone!

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum kenzie. Glad you were able to use the advice offered.