AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: maddog on September 01, 2017, 02:31:20 AM

Title: can't get leaf spring bolt loose
Post by: maddog on September 01, 2017, 02:31:20 AM
i finally got everything together to do my leaf springs and I can't get the front bolt to come loose I have tried using PB blaster, heat, and pounding on it as best I could but I can't seem to make it budge. Anybody got an idea that might work?
Title: Re: can't get leaf spring bolt loose
Post by: JONAS78028 on September 01, 2017, 07:42:26 AM
long breaker bar and just twist it until the bolt breaks.  Mighthave to torch em out.  If no access to a torch then use a hand held grinder to grind off the bolt ends.
Title: Re: can't get leaf spring bolt loose
Post by: vangremlin on September 01, 2017, 12:01:43 PM
Sometimes those bolts get corroded into the sleeve in the bushing and they won't come out at all.  Like JONAS78028 says, you have to grind off the ends or cut the bolts with a reciprocating saw to be able to drop the leaf springs.  Make sure you pack the bushings with grease where the bolt goes through so you won't have this problem 30 years from now  ;)

Good luck!!
Title: Re: can't get leaf spring bolt loose
Post by: maddog on September 01, 2017, 03:13:29 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on September 01, 2017, 12:01:43 PM
Make sure you pack the bushings with grease where the bolt goes through so you won't have this problem 30 years from now  ;)

Good luck!!
the sad part is that I did that when I put the Cherokee springs in about five or six years ago. And as for the cutting part I was afraid that was going to be the only real option available. JONAS78028 I have one of those hand held torches from the parts store and all it seemed to do was make a lot of smoke, but thanks for the quick replies guys I'll have to hit the parts stores and grab a couple of new nuts and bolts before I try this again.
Title: Re: can't get leaf spring bolt loose
Post by: maddog on September 01, 2017, 08:09:09 PM
i just realized that I don't know what size the bolts are so before I cut the bolts on my only car does anyone know what the specs are for the bolts.