Rear leaf spring front bolt removal suggestions.

[Mike65 475]

As the title says I am wondering if my only solutions to removing the rear leaf spring front bolt that is rusted to the metal sleeve inside the bushing is a sawzall with metal cutting blades, or an angle grinder with a steel cutoff wheel?. I went to remove the rear leaf springs today only to find the front mounting bolt will not move. The nut came off fine, but the bolt is a no go, will not even turn. :( Any ideas or suggestions?.

[JoeyS 12]

I sprayed some penetrating fluid on the bolts several times over many days before I attempted to remove them. I used a mixture of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. They both came out without the need for cutting them. When installing the new leaf springs I applied anti-seize compound to the new bolts.

 

Joe

[MAC390 327]

Had the same problem on the mach one, only way i could get them out was a cut off wheel on a angle grinder.

The bolts were really rusted in the shackle eye.. New bolts and a lot of never seize.

[Rsanter 152]

The last set I had do that, I had to cut the spring eyelet to take the spring off, then kill the rubber bushing to get at the inner sleeve.

Hardest one I ever had to do

 

Bob

[Mike65 475]

Thanks for the input guys. I have 6 of the 4 1/2" cut off wheels for my angle grinder. 

[Max Power 74]

Friend of mine used to run a Midas and they did springs. That bolt is the worst. Often heat was the only answer.

[Ridge Runner 1,112]

Those bolts can really get rusted in ,especially the eastern cars .I had to use a high grade blade on a sawsall to cut through the bolt on a 64 1/2 i am working on .Pack the bolt with grease or never seize when you replace it .

[moodster 55]

I've removed some really rusted bolts before... my secret is PB-blast over a series of several evenings along with a pneumatic impact gun.  You'll need to put the gun on the back side... no room on the front.  Generally about the fifth evening or so, the bolt will break loose.  You can also cut it off but what fun is that?  :-)

 

david