Leaf Spring Replace

Fig. 7 Leaf spring & shackle mounting:

Fig. 8 Leaf spring removal:

Fig. 9 Leaf spring assembly:

1. Raise vehicle and place jack stands under frame side rails to relieve spring load. Support axle assembly.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Loosen, but do not remove, spring-to-shackle and shackle-to-body retaining nut, Fig. 7.
4. Disconnect shock absorber at lower mounting.
5. Remove U-bolt retaining nuts, spring retainer and spring plate, then lower axle. Do not allow weight of axle to hang on brake hoses. Always support axle and body separately.
6. Remove nuts, washers and retainer from front spring hanger.
7. Slide spring forward to gain access to spring-to-shackle bolt through rear bumper bracket, then remove nut, washer, bolt and spring assembly, Fig. 8.
8. If necessary, drill out rivets and remove leaf spring eye, Fig. 9.
9. Reverse procedure to install. If eye assembly was removed, replace rivets with 10 mm bolts and nuts.