Bouncing away from my 1981 New Owner thread, I thought I would ask here. I am replacing all my bushings (or attempting to anyway) and am able to get the rear double shackle ones done easily. Those front ones are probably original to the truck and WILL NOT budge. Best method on all the others was using a clamp. That worked great for them, but the front attach points of all four leaf springs seem to be welded solid. These are the "bolts" that have the outer flange with two little bolts that hold it in place. My guess is that the original bushing has a steel sleeve and the bolt is rusted to the sleeve. None of them will move at all and I can't get a BFH on them.
What have you guys who have fought these successfully done to remove them? I am guessing cut the spring out with a sawzall and replace the flanged bolt with a regular bolt. That flanged bolt is NLA. I have decided to not do those bushings yet until I find a better solution than destroying an original NLA part. Any ideas?
What have you guys who have fought these successfully done to remove them? I am guessing cut the spring out with a sawzall and replace the flanged bolt with a regular bolt. That flanged bolt is NLA. I have decided to not do those bushings yet until I find a better solution than destroying an original NLA part. Any ideas?