Re: TOY: Leaf spring hanger bolt/bushing removal...

[Roger Brown <r.c.brown@xxxxxxxx>]

>     Still slowly working my way through my lift kit
> install on my '82, rear end totally done, front end
> 3/4 apart. First strange thing I noticed (front end)
> was the U-bolt plate (on the bottom of the axle) is
> different on the drivers side from the passenger side,
> infact, the passenger side looks like the leaf spring
> could be mounted under the axle (has a big flat spot
> welded to the bottom of the axle housing). Is this
> normal???  After chiseling the leaf springs off the
> axle (with everything unbolted and disconnected I
> could hang the axle off the springs with just the rust
> holding it) I now am finding it Completely IMPOSSIBLE
> to remove the front hanger bolt. I easily removed the
> large (19mm) nut and the two (12mm) bolts that hold it
> in. I have tried to press the bolt out with a C-clamp,
> I have hammered on the end of it (with the nut on) I
> have tried to get a chisel in to force it out, but
> NOTHING is working (it is currently soaking in
> releaser)  Besides burning out the bushing, (really
> don't want the stank of doing that) does anyone have
> any other suggestions? -Air chisel maybe? 

Usually the rubber bushing and the steel pin sort of rust together and
make a big lump of iron oxide/rubber stuff that sits in the middle of
the spring eye.  You might try heating the spring pin enough to start
the rubber smoking a little then try the clamp or hammer and try
something like PB Blaster.  It'll take some time for the liquid to
penetrate to the center of the spring eye and soften the rust.  It took
me most of a day to get my rear spring shackle out when I did my '85
springs.  Every 30 minutes or so, I'd hit it with heat/hammer/oil work
on it a little then let it sit.  Pretty soon it popped apart and I was
able to reuse all the parts (except the bushing which I replaced with
polyurethane).