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3rd Gen Ram Tech2002-2008 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 2002 through 2008 Rams Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.
With a torch, you could heat the nut, and get it off that way.... Bearing in mind, that is a rather stinky procedure. (the rubber bushing in the spring burns....) Still wouldn't get the bolt out of the sleeve though. Sawzall can cut thru the bolt on both sides of the shackle, and it'll drop out.
With a torch, you could heat the nut, and get it off that way.... Bearing in mind, that is a rather stinky procedure. (the rubber bushing in the spring burns....) Still wouldn't get the bolt out of the sleeve though. Sawzall can cut thru the bolt on both sides of the shackle, and it'll drop out.
PIcked up a couple new sawzall blades. One 9" + 6". Gonna try it out on the shackle tomm.
The nut buster may actually split the nut.... but, that's only phase one. The bolt itself is likely rusted to the steel sleeve in the bushing, so, it still ain't gonna want to come out. Personally, I would just bite the bullet, and take a sawsall to the bolt, and once the shackle is loose from the frame mount, deal with it from there.
I didn't try the nut splitter, went straight to the sawzall. It worked good; nice call. You were also correct about having to cut on both sides b/c bolt rusted in sleeve.
So had some issues with install... Do you know which way the leaf springs are supposed to face? The leaf springs I removed didn't have the buckle on it so not sure if it's supposed to be orientated to the front or rear.
I would've thought that it was supposed to be in the rear but I orientated the leaf spring based on the location of the bolt and hole in the center. I set them up the same way as the ones I removed.
That, I don't know... Is the centering bolt actually in the CENTER of the springs? If it is, I would suspect orientation doesn't matter. If it isn't, see how well the axle is centered in the wheel wells. Should be pretty obvious if it's wrong.
That, I don't know... Is the centering bolt actually in the CENTER of the springs? If it is, I would suspect orientation doesn't matter. If it isn't, see how well the axle is centered in the wheel wells. Should be pretty obvious if it's wrong.
In the leaf springs current orientation (as pictured) each end attached fine yet the center bolt is off and I couldn't get it aligned on the axle.
I took the leaf pack off, switched which side the shackle was on and tried to reinstall. Center bolt was aligned on axle, shackle was attached, but I never attached the other end of the leaf spring b/c it was sitting on top of the exhaust tip and I was worried the hanger might snap if I aligned the bolt holes of the leaf spring + bracket. That didn't seem right so I ended up taking it out and switching the shackle back to it's current orientation (as pictured). I'm starting to think that maybe I shouldn't have switched it back and maybe put a jack under the shackle side of the spring to adjust the angle on the front end of the leaf spring so it wasn't sitting on the exhaust tip......🤷♂️
I looked at the spring specs and seems like 1 side is longer.
Got a better look at the old+new leaf springs and they were definitely installed in the correct orientation. I put the old leaf springs on the center aligning hole and the front bolt holes were off about .75"-1".
The new springs are off too. Therefore I was thinking that the axle probably moved a little. Im sure it doesn't help that is in grass either. I used an iron prybar to move the axle a little but I couldn't move it enough to get the pin on the leafs to drop.
@ this point I'm thinking about connecting the shackle + u bolts, torquing both 75%, and leaving the front unbolted, up against the bracket (maybe put in a little block of wood?). Do the same thing to the other side, then get it towed to a shop to have them attach the front bolts. Or connect both ends and leave the pack sitting on the axle & have shop install u- bolts. Just trying to think of the cheapest option if I do have to have someone else do it.
Throw some boards on your jack, jack up the truck by the frame. Slide the axle to where it needs to be. Yeah, it ain't light.....
Yea, I'm going to have to get some wood; the jack I have on the frame is already maxed out.....Was just thinking, do you think I could attach a strap to the axle and use a cable winch attached to the tow hitch of my other truck (if parked in front of it) I could get away with moving the axle enough to get that pin to drop?
