On my left rear spring there is a bolt that goes through the center of the springs what looks like into the spacer block on top of the axle, it appears to be broken, what is this bolt used for and where can I get a replacement.

With out actually trying to take it out I cant know or sure if it is broken, and I cant get a pic because my camera is broke and my phonr takes crappy pictures that close up.

 

that small bolt goes through the center of the spring pack and pins it all together. its important. the bolt head on the bottom is also important in that it keeps the pack centered on top of the spacer.

your saying your small bolt is broken, and the nut on top is broken off, and different from the passenger side.

you'll need to fix it. if you were to jack up the rear body - i'd think the spring would try to come apart. the u-bolts will probably hold it together, but.... it might not.

 

There is nothing broken off of it, it is just cocked off to one side, but I have lput the truck on a lift quite a few times since I have had it. The only thing funny with my springs is that one of the leafs is not centered wihtt he rest.

The bolt on the other side is straight up and down.

 

i'd guess that the bolt is broken clean in two. the top half of the bolt is stuck in the spring holes under tension and is cockeyed. if its under tension, then its helping to hold the spring pack together, and helping some. the bottom half of the bolt has broken off, and that has allowed the spring to shift on its perch.

it may have been this way fro a while. its probably not an emergency, but it would be better to fix it. it may shift more some day and get worse.

 

That is the center bolt, or at least that they used to be called. Used to get them at auto supply stores. If I remember right they usually pretty long and we had to cut them off after installing.

 

be super careful when removing that spring, if the center bolt is broken then there is alot of stored energy in that spring pack, they will all fall apart when you remove the u-bolts. when you get it all out, lay all the leaves on their side in their proper order, put the new center bolt in to line up the holes and use two heavy duty c-clamps to pull it all tight together, then tighten the new bolt nice and tight and cut off the excess thread.
I would fix this ASAP, that pin is what keeps your rearend centered under the truck, if it breaks completely off then there is nothing holding that side of the axle, and could send you into the ditch or on comming traffic if it breaks loose.