How do you remove rear leaf spring?

[bachman502]

I have U Bolts off. Torque rods are pulled. Does this bolt need to be removed also? I can't budge it.

 

[silverstate55]

Just loosen that bolt (might be one on other side of trunnion) and you should be able to remove spring pack.

 

[bachman502]

Ok. I didn't want to fight unnecessary stubborn Bolts if I didn't have to. Thanks

 

[silverstate55]

Just be careful, those spring packs are heavier than they look.

 

[bachman502]

Yea they don't look like fun picking them up. And for anybody reading this. MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT TRUNION BEFORE REMOVING THOSE BOLTS.

 

[rustystud]

Since your that far into it, I would take the Trunnion bearings out and check them. You might have the solid bearings which still need to be checked.

 

[Bill W]

And after you check and re-grease the ( solid ) trunnion bearings re install using two bearing nuts instead of just the one, and if you don't already have one then drill and install a grease fitting in the bearing housing ( see pic ) I also drilled drain holes in the bolt slots ( see pic )

 

[yolner]

And after you check and re-grease the ( solid ) trunnion bearing re install using two bearing nuts instead of just the one, and if you don't already have one then drill and install a grease fitting in the bearing housing ( see pic ) I also drilled drain holes in the bolt slots ( see pic )

Those drain holes are a great idea!

 

[bachman502]

I will post this also in my other thread also. But I'm glad I removed my U Bolts to get to my upper torque rod nuts. Hidden inside where those drain holes was a U bolt that was severely rusted through to the point of failure. Something you cant see until removed.

 

[clinto]

And after you check and re-grease the ( solid ) trunnion bearing re install using two bearing nuts instead of just the one, and if you don't already have one then drill and install a grease fitting in the bearing housing ( see pic ) I also drilled drain holes in the bolt slots ( see pic )

I will post this also in my other thread also. But I'm glad I removed my U Bolts to get to my upper torque rod nuts. Hidden inside where those drain holes was a U bolt that was severely rusted through to the point of failure. Something you can see until removed.

Both of ya'll are bringing up very good points. I would say the majority of deuces out there are 40-50 years old and I have encountered several with severely corroded u-bolts. It's really kind of a terrible design, I guess when they did it they didn't think about it or they didn't care because they thought the trucks would have 20 year service lives instead of 50+.

 

[bachman502]

People might think I'm crazy. But I'm only removing spring to clean it up, paint, replace Bolts and lube everything up with antiseize for example. I'm already there. I might as well do it. My theory is to replace now, rather than being somewhere broke down with a part failure and not being able to service the truck because of frozen Bolts or worse sheared off Bolts.

 

[yolner]

People might think I'm crazy. But I'm only removing spring to clean it up, paint, replace Bolts and lube everything up with antiseize for example. I'm already there. I might as well do it. My theory is to replace now, rather than being somewhere broke down with a part failure and not being able to service the truck because of frozen Bolts or worse sheared off Bolts.

Are you planning to take the spring pack apart? I've been thinking about doing that.

 

[clinto]

People might think I'm crazy. But I'm only removing spring to clean it up, paint, replace Bolts and lube everything up with antiseize for example. I'm already there. I might as well do it. My theory is to replace now, rather than being somewhere broke down with a part failure and not being able to service the truck because of frozen Bolts or worse sheared off Bolts.

I don't think it's crazy. There's no other way to paint leaf springs. You have to disassemble them and blast them to get the rust out from between the leaves. If you just sandblast the outside, the rust will creep back out in 6 months.

 

[yolner]

I don't think it's crazy. There's no other way to paint leaf springs. You have to disassemble them and blast them to get the rust out from between the leaves. If you just sandblast the outside, the rust will creep back out in 6 months.

Exactly my problem. I painted mine but it's rusting back up since I couldn't get in the middle of the spring pack. Is there any trick to taking them apart or do you just break the bolts loose and then put new bolts in? Is all the other hardware reusable?

 

[clinto]

Exactly my problem. I painted mine but it's rusting back up since I couldn't get in the middle of the spring pack. Is there any trick to taking them apart or do you just break the bolts loose and then put new bolts in? Is all the other hardware reusable?

A lot of people say re-using u-bolts isn't a good idea. I'd re-use the rest of it.

 

[bachman502]

Yes I'm taking them apart. Replacing spring center pin. You know dang on well that the center pin is rusted out too.

 

[yolner]

Yes I'm taking them apart. Replacing spring center pin. You know dang on well that the center pin is rusted out too.

What are you going to do for paint? I heard there's a special paint/coating you're supposed to use to keep the springs from sticking together.

 

[bachman502]

I was just going to wire wheel each leaf, ospho, then paint with rustoleum. Completely different subject, but I was going to ask if somebody knew a color mixture to make the 383 carc green out of rustoleum paint. Or get it close wnough

 

[silverstate55]

I just order the CARC 383 Green from Rapco Parts just up the turnpike from you...it's cheap enough in the rattle cans and holds up pretty well.

 

[rustystud]

Both of ya'll are bringing up very good points. I would say the majority of deuces out there are 40-50 years old and I have encountered several with severely corroded u-bolts. It's really kind of a terrible design, I guess when they did it they didn't think about it or they didn't care because they thought the trucks would have 20 year service lives instead of 50+.

Actually it is a good design. It has held up for 50 years ! Most trucks don't last more then 15 years in active service. Even our buses which cost almost 1 million each only have a life span of 15 years. So considering these trucks have been driven and maintained by 18 year old men I think their doing pretty good !