removing leaf springs

[eugrides]

want to remove some leaves from my leaf springs front and rear on 53 1/2 ton how do i remove shackles to remove springs and can i remove bottom 3 springs to lower truck and soften ride thanks

[sweet70beast]

You don't need to take the shackles off to take the bottom springs off. You will need to take off the axle u-bolts and raise the rear axle off the springs. Use jack stands to support the truck. There is a bolt that holds the springs together, odds are it will break so you should have some new ones on hand. Once the bolt is out of the way the springs should just falls off. Do the same on the front except you have to lift the truck off of the axle. You can do this one wheel at a time if you only have one jack stand, or limited space, etc. The spring bolts in the back should point down because the head on it is what aligns the axle to the springs. The bolts on the front point up because the axle is under the springs. The bump stop on the front springs sit right on top of the bolts.

[Russell Ashley]

Only thing I will add is that I always put a c-clamp on the spring before starting to remove the nut on the spring bolt. The spring bolt will probably break and I have had springs pop apart when it happens. Sometimes it seems that the lower leaves have more curve than the uppers. You probably will have to go to NAPA or some other good parts store to find spring bolts. You might not be able to remove three leaves as my 57 only has six in fronts and seven in the rears.

[eugrides]

thanks for the info guys

[solidaxel]

In a pinch I have used a Allen head bolt (s0cket head) to fit the axle and perch

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Only thing I will add is that I always put a c-clamp on the spring before starting to remove the nut on the spring bolt. The spring bolt will probably break and I have had springs pop apart when it happens. Sometimes it seems that the lower leaves have more curve than the uppers. You probably will have to go to NAPA or some other good parts store to find spring bolts. You might not be able to remove three leaves as my 57 only has six in fronts and seven in the rears.

Good advice there.
It's a lot easier to do with the springs out of the truck though.

To take the springs out you need to take the bolt out that holds the shackle end and knock the shackle bars off the pins and then take the jam nut off the other end and unscrew the bolt/pin on that end. You will also have to take the U bolts off to take the axles off the springs or springs off the axles.

While you have it apart you will want to check the spring bushings and other pieces for wear and replace what needs replacing.

Take a pretty serous C clamp or pair of them to hold the spring while you take
the bolt out. Then loosen the clamps slowly so the springs don't pop out and nail you.

When they are apart lay them out and check for broken or damaged leaves and the clean them up by dressing any gouges worn into a leaf by the leaf below it so it's smooth and dressing the ends of the leaves so they won't dig into the leaf they work against and work smoothly.
You can paint them when they are apart if you like.

One thing that I do during reassembly is to use a long bolt the correct diameter to line up all the leaves while I clamp them together. Then I slip the guide bolt out and put the spring bolt in and tighten it down.