leaf spring shackle

[Lpannell25]

is the back leaf spring shackle spring loaded? was facing downward then put a socket on it to no avail to remove the whole thing and the bolt is rounded off now but also it rotated conterclockwise and is pushed up under the bumper whenever i try to pull it out it moves only a little and goes right back up like its spring loaded... any suggestioins?

 

[martin]

jack up the truck so that the axle is hanging. Then try to rotate the bolt far enough that you can get a lever behind the spring to prevent it from hiding in the bumper. It's not spring loaded it's just the rubber bushing winding up, it sounds like the bolt has rusted itself to the steel sleeve inside the bushing, apply much penetrating oil, let it soak for a bit then repeat for a few times. good luck.