best way to remove rear leaf springs

[bhawk]

My son's 94 ranger needs new springs, 2 middle leafs broken. I tried to take the nuts off the bolts that hold the springs to the braket at front and shackle at rear with little success. Even if I get the nuts off, I don't see a way to pound the bolt off.
Will a saws-all blade cut the bolts off at both sides? Will a zip cut grinder blade fit in between the bracket and spring to cut the bolts off. Or is the only way going to be grinding the heads off the rivets holding the spring brakets to the frame (I shudder at that thought, how do I get in)
I have a cutting torch but am reluctant to use it given the gas tank near the front driver side spring.
Your experiences here please. thanks.

 

[sloue]

i used a saws all it works well with some patiences. just mind you dont scare up the shackel to much

 

[Mac]

That's what I had to use, SawsAll. Got to love that tool. The steel bushing had seized to the bolt and that was the only way. Get a good blade and be careful, be safe.
Dave

 

[bhawk]

What kind of blade did you use? Milwakee sells a 14 tooth bi metal blade for cuting to quarter inch thick, they also sell a blade called the Torch, with 24 tooth blade. But the latter are expensive at 30 bucks for 6 (in canada)
Do you stick the blade between the shackle and the spring hole and cut upwards? looks like the only way to me. thanks.

 

[michowski]

Remove the u bolts from the axles to the leaves. Then remove the screw and nut at each end of the springs. They then just slide out.

 

[bhawk]

My bolts are seized in the bushings so I have to cut them off. I just got back from the shop. I got one spring out and i'm working on the other. I used a grinder with cutting wheel to get about half the bolt cut, then i used my Sawsall to cut the rest of the bolt. My 14 tooth blade is not working that well but with persistence I hope to get the other spring out tonight. thanks for all replies.

 

[4x4junkie]

I had absolutely no luck with a Sawzall on mine, the bushing sleeves were much too hard for any blade to cut through... it just rounds off the teeth (maybe those rough sand grit type blades I've seen would work, but I didn't try them).

Instead I got out the grinder with a cut-off wheel and made short work of them.

 

[BeaterMan]

yea i've always used a cutoff wheel. those bolts are a PITA and can be rusted in there really well. i've had to do this to every vehicle i have ever removed the leafs out of- except when i put a lift kit in a 95' yj jeep, i must have got luckey with that one. good luck to you and be patient

 

[bhawk]

Got the second spring out a few hours ago. Just used my 4.5 inch grinder with new cut off wheels. A 5 or 6 inch grinder would work better as the wheel has more depth, but I ground most of each thru then twisted it off with a wrench. Thanks to all.