Newbie Help - installing Leaf Springs
 

Hi guys... Sorry for the super noob question here... :yap:

but I just got done with my body lift on my 98 Taco... and now I'm getting ready to add my suspension lift -- Toytec coil overs with Bilstien 5100's... and for the back I'm putting in new leaf springs.

I believe the springs I'm getting are skyjacker 2.5" lift springs...

my coil-overs are comin' preassembled so I can just bolt them on...

so my question is.... can I install those leaf springs myself...

I seem to remember being in the shop getting new springs on my 81 Yota about 15 years ago... and it was a son of B****... trying to get those things on....

I don't have a shop, I got a some tools... :wrench:
but am I gonna need anything special to do this... I don't have herculean strength or any tools to bend these suckers into place...

do they just pretty much bolt on without hassle usually... or do I need 3 power lifters and a 10 foot breaker bar to get these things on...

I'm already spending more than I should, I'd like to avoid another $500 in labor if I can help it.

thanks for the input

Hand tools is all you need. Air tools make life easier.

:guitar:

Depends on how rusted they are. I have removed some with ease and others I have had to cut off.

Oh.. OK.. good to hear... I was worried I would need something to bend them into place...

No special tools..You will need some tall jackstands, because you are going to have to support the vehicle by the frame. You also may want to start hitting the bolts with PB Blaster now so by the time you go to take them off it should be easy.

That's a darn good idea.. I just bought a can yesterday. thanks

if you dont have air tools, you'll want a breaker bar, i used the shaft of my low-pro floor jack and put my half inch drive socket wrench into it, worked like a charm!

helps to have a larger set of jack stands (for the frame) and a shorter pair (for the axle)

grease your bushings!

4 lbs mallet helps a lot too!

use a lot of PB and let it sit, i soaked it over night, on both sides of shackle/frame.

In all the leaf springs I have changed on these vehicles that were on from new.

i just cut the u-bolts with a zip disc.

The real pain is the front shackle bolt it just bonds with the metal sleeve in the bushing . The nut comes right off but I always end up cutting the bolt flush with the hanger and just pry it out one side at a time.

** If anyone has a better way I am ready to learn!!!

The rears i just cut off also and put the New Parts kit in from Toyota.


After fighting hours the first time I always do it this way.

You will also need your floor jack to support the rear so you can lower it to allow you to get the old springs out and new ones back in .

i always use new u-bolts because they are cheap and I don`t have a lot of time to play around.

Good luck As it is your first time I would bet on a good day maybe longer.

They way I have done it (see last Q&A on the page below):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/TLCA_Tru...ech.04.01.html

Big tip when putting it all back together is liberally grease that bolt before installing it to same headaches in the future.

Thanks Roger!

I just received the Bed Spacers today... I probably won't install them until next weekend.... and a week or two after that, hopefully I can tackle the rear springs.

Thanks for all your help with my body lift, I really appreciate it. =)

While I'm at it... thanks to Wabbit and the rest of you for all the help, without Yotatech.. I wouldn't dream of tackling this stuff on my own... now.. I'm not sure if I trust anyone else to do it! hahaha.:D

Maybe in your climate in California you are able to sometimes break those bolts loose.

Here on the east coast with the damp and the winter slop and salt and now this liquid that is much worse.

You name it I tried it just had the sleeve spinning in the bushing . I have heard of people using a torch to burn off the bushing the rubber not the bolt .

I don`t look at that as a step up

Since I keep the bolts and rear shackle kits on hand and ubolts

Looks like I'm gonna have my friends shop Retemper the rear springs?

for under $300 they'll do the work and retemper and rebend my rear springs.

they new springs alone will cost me $500.. then I have to do all the work myself..

So looks like I'll just install my front struts and then have the shop do the rear end
to match the lift...
any reason I shouldn't do this?

Just a follow up... this is what I did and it was the best move I could have made. cheap, easy, professionally installed... works great.