Leaf Spring Bolt Sizes

[koda6966]

What are the sizes for the bolt and nut that connect the leaf springs to the hangars?

I can honestly say I've never had one I didn't just cut off, unfortunately the JY won't let me torch it.

 

[Mac]

The ones in my new rear hanger kit are 1/2"-20 x 4 1/2" long.
Dave of the Nord

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Factory ones are supposed to be metric, but usually a 13/16 socket will hammer on them.

I've had very little success trying to remove them without a torch or angle grinder. I'm too impatient for a sawzall to work on that hardened steel - a 4.5" angle grinder with a zip disk or a torch works soooo much faster.

I always replace 'em with a 1/2" grade 8 bolt and coat it liberally in a good quality wheel bearing grease. I used to coat them in never-seize but after having to remove a couple that the stuff had dried and caked in there, I switched to grease.

 

[Nathan123]

When I did mine, I bought half inch grade 8s. I also replaced a whole shackle/bracket at the rear of the spring. The bolt it came with was 9/16 fine thread. The interesting part is the head is a different size than the nut. I booggered one of the threads on one of the grade 8's that I bought for the front hanger and bought a 9/16 instead. If I had to do it again they'd just be !/2 because tractor supply only sells 9/16 in individual bags, where as the 1/2 is bulk and MUCH cheaper. +1 on the grinder too, mine were completely rusted fast to the bushing. They were never ever going to unthread ever.

 

[koda6966]

This is a newer truck so I'm hoping they come off easy.

Worst case situation, I pay the jy to plasma the hangars off for me.

 

[koda6966]

Just checked, 1/2 is too small. Probably 9/16ths then eh? I found a stub from one of my bolts, I'll take it to the hardware store and have it sized.

As for the length, I'll just make it 1.5 inches longer than the metal sleeve is. That should give me more than enough room for the hangar, washers, and nut.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

9/16" is what you are looking for.

 

[koda6966]

Reread all of the above comments, I think we're all talking about different bolts.

Ah well, 9/16ths fits.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

They are actually metric from the factory, but those bolts are a little spendy, so we always just use 9/16 grade 8 at work when replacing them.

 

[Twister]

A big breaker bar should help when you try and remove the bolts.