874runnersr5

Kk so im imnstalling my leafs, im still on the first one, got the old one out starting to put the new bushings in.. then i read the instructions and it says this
Note: Downeyt springs prior to 1989 include lower shipping plates which must be removed. These are essentially spacer blocks used to keep the centering bolts tight(during shipping) unitl your orgiginal lower load carrying leafs are transferred onto the dowey springs.

okay so, i want to see what its gonna be like after a month or to before putting one of my old leafs on right? so what do i do? leave that plate in? do i have to put that other leaf in? do i take it out and install it normally?

Thanks guys

abecedarian

the 'load carrying leaf' from your old springs is that flat spring on the old pack in your last picture.
If you put it in now, and never put enough weight in the back to cause the downey packs to flatten out against that leaf, their springs will settle anyways.

abecedarian

I'd put it in now. The springs are going to settle to wherever they're going to no matter what. But, I'm the kind of person that will not re-use u-bolts and the nuts so taking it apart later to put the load-leaf in would cost me another 30-40 bucks for a new set of u-bolts.

874runnersr5

GRRRRRRRRR
the stupid last bolt on the last leaf spring on the front hanger wont come out..
i got the nut/washer out.. but the bolt wont budge.. what should i do?
i just heated that sucker up good and sparyed it with pb blaster...
ah this is making me mad

abecedarian

uh? what?
the load leaf isn't bolted to anything. yeah, it's got a wrap around the rear, but it's not 'bolted' to anything.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

I took a quick look at Downey's site and it doesn't definitively say to re use the load carrying leaf. It says you "can" easily transfer them. I don't really remember when I did mine if the instructions specifically said to use them, but I'm guessing they must have because I did. I'm going to suggest you use them from the get go because I never had any trouble with mine and I recall all the negative write ups I've read about Downey springs were from folks that didn't use the load carrier.

In regards to the bolt, I don't really have anything new or earth shattering for you. Sounds like you're trying all the right things already. Just keep plugging away. And let me guess. Gas tank side?

874runnersr5

no no, im talking about taking out the old leafs from the frame.
The front bolt on the hanger is killing me...

874runnersr5

ah no the gas take side was easy!!
everything was going so good, what was left of my bushings.. fell out haha and yeah. Now im stumped with this one, werid thing is the nut/bolt came off it so im thinking just to bash it from the other side?

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Yes. But use a brass drift or something else relatively soft (block of wood) so you don't crap up the threads. At least on that side you can whack it. On the gas tank side you can't access it. (because the tank is in the way)

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

get a breaker bar on the bolt and spin it as if you were trying to unscrew it. Or thread the nut back on a little ways and get a big hammer.

874runnersr5

ah yeah i tried using the break bar, im almost gonna call it a night soon. il keep ya posted, and off i go.

abecedarian

most of the time, bolts that won't come out even when they're loose...
... are not aligned properly.

874runnersr5

HAHAHAHAHA YES!!!!!!

tried hitting it with the bolt in, nothing.. wrench..breaker bar..

breaker bar + handle from jack= move ment!!

forbiddenera

where you been?

i aint seen you on msn in ages foo

874runnersr5

yoo!
i know, i dont go on msn anymore duude.

k so back to square one, nothing but now it spins....

how common is this bolt? anyone know the size? im thinking of just taking the sawzall to it..

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Well you can get greasables from Downey, Marlin, or Trail Gear. Not sure about OEM replacements. Seems like for our age trucks, the dealer always has to order out.

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...yurethane.html
http://www.trail-gear.com/shackles.html
http://www.marlincrawler.com/hardwar...-shackle-bolts

I forget if it's the 120 or 150, but since you got one out you can measure.

nmtoy

The instructions on mine said to install the load leaf from the old springs.

If I had it to do over again I would have made a couple of extra custom leafs from the old springs to add to the Downeys and used longer center bolts and u bolts.

I think adding extra springs would eliminate the need for the overload and maybe give a little extra lift.

Robb

874runnersr5

ah im on my last limb here, what should i do?

Shawn6string

Got a air hammer with a flat head ? Its used to cut off body panels. I have one an simply put a hammer head on it and let it do its job
http://www.irtools.com/IS/category.aspx-en-2817
The hammerhead is not shown in the pic. Very handy tool.

874runnersr5

dude i wish. my theory is that the bushing has sized onto it, not letting it slide out. Only thing i can think of is to keep turning it until i can do it by hand without my breaker bar and go from the bolt side and hit it out..