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Replacing leaf springs, impossible to remove!
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:37 pm
by Mr.SA
We’re replacing the leaf springs on my l300, we got the rear shackles removed, u bolts, it all came off fairly easy. everything except the front bushings, the oval shaped ones. We have the nut off but the bolt won’t budge. Spent probably 7 hours on them using a big impact on the bolt, a ton of leverage, tried a blow torch, etc. and now resorting to a sawsall which isn’t doing much to cut through the bolt.
Anyone else had this much trouble? There doesn’t seem to be much corrosion or anything that’d be causing it. Any tips from someone who’s done them would be much appreciated.
Replacing leaf springs, impossible to remove!
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:40 pm
by Growlerbearnz
Wow, that sucks. So the bolt won't turn at all? It's frozen to the steel tube inside the rubber bush?
That's a class 10 bolt, from memory, so a sawzall with a *really sharp* high quality blade should eventually cut it, as long as you don't let the saw teeth overheat. If you can cut the head and tail off the bolt (angle grinder? There's not much room though) you can probably tilt the leaf enough to get it out.
Replacing leaf springs, impossible to remove!
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 5:23 am
by Ralph in Winnipeg
Your best bet is an angle grinder with a thin cutting wheel. Walther makes an excellent one called "zipcut". Then you can pound out the remnants with a punch and hammer. That bolt is way too much for your average Sawzall blade. I have some Lennox "Torch" blades and they will cut hardened steel if used slow and with lubricant. By torch I assume you mean propane? If you had oxy acetylene it would have taken 5 minutes. It will be easier to reinstall!
Ralph in Winnipeg
Replacing leaf springs, impossible to remove!
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 3:07 pm
by Growlerbearnz
Mr.SA wrote:Any tips from someone who’s done them would be much appreciated.
How did you end up getting them out? Just for anyone else who's in the same predicament later...
Replacing leaf springs, impossible to remove!
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:20 pm
by Mr.SA
Growlerbearnz wrote:Mr.SA wrote:Any tips from someone who’s done them would be much appreciated.
How did you end up getting them out? Just for anyone else who's in the same predicament later...
had to cut both bolts in the front oval bushing. the drivers side would spin freely, but only because the leaf around the bushing snapped so the bushing spun freely. seemed like it was also seized in the bushing.
a good quality sawsall blade made all the difference, we went through a few cheap ones, spent hours on it, once i got a carbide blade for higher grade metal it got through in maybe 15 minutes..