So after spending a few hours today trying to get the bolt out of the forward mounting point of the leaf spring I pretty much gave up figuring that I'm going to have to cut the bolts off and replace them. The parts of the bolts, nuts, and brackets that you can see aren't rusty at all, but I suspect that the bolt and sleeve are rusted together inside the bushing. I tried turning the bolt some (whoever decided to use torx for them is an *******), I tried hammering the bolt out, I tried pressing it out, etc... and nothing.

I have a full set of energy suspension polyurethane bushings with new sleeves for the whole back suspension, so I'm figuring that I can just cut the bolts and use new ones. Are there OEM replacement ones or do people just use grade 8 bolts from the hardware store or something else along those lines?

 

On my leaf spring Jeep, I just run a cutoff wheel up the inside of the bracket, between the bushing and the bracket face, cutting though the bushing with it as needed. That way the spring just falls out.

 

That's what I think I'm going to end up doing, I just wanted to make sure I have new bolts before I do that.

 

Front leaf spring bolts for a '99 Durango?

Looks like we have them in stock, P/N 6505599AA $6.22 each.

http://www.tascaparts.com/oe-mopar/6..._str=6505599AA

Are you installing new springs with new bushings?

-Steve

 

I have new polyurethane bushings to put in the old springs.

 

Screw that. Just get grade 8 hex bolts.

 

That's what I'm planning on doing, especially since it will get rid of the stupid *** torx bolts.

 

Obviously that's your prerogative but in my experience a hardware store grade 8 bolt "might" be strong enough but typically won't be designed to the same spec as the OEM bolt which can lead to issues with slop, binding or breaking.

I have nothing against aftermarket hardware and use it myself in many applications but suspension, brakes and most engine hardware I'd only use OEM.

-Steve

 

Steve, you're a vendor, been drinking the 'all OEM is great' kool-aid. I've been driving and wrenching on the family vehicle fleet for 52 years, and have never bought an OEM brake part, zero problems. I tend to use Moog for suspension parts, zero problems. When the prices of OEM stuff gets reasonable, I'll consider it. I do buy Dodge specialty parts, like the $94 heater hose with the plastic Y in it to serve both the front and back heater cores.

I have an idea, why not sell official Dodge parts through NAPA or O'Reilly's? I pass 5 regular auto parts and hardware stores half way to the nearest dealer.

 

I was just offering an opinion and trying to help, not argue

I haven't been in the business as long as you but I have wrenched at home and professionally and have 25 years working in Ford parts and ten years working with you guys on line.

Just a quick note, any prices you see us quote are at employee pricing. We aren't just here to push OEM parts at high prices, we're here to aid the community by offering the best possible prices on OEM parts and share any technical information that we can.

We are here to help.

-Steve